PZL W-3 Sokol
Summary
| Category | Helicopter |
| Origin country | 🇵🇱 Poland |
| First flight | 16 November 1979 |
| Year of introduction | 1986 |
| Number produced | 149 units |
Description
The PZL W-3 Sokół is a medium-sized, multipurpose military helicopter developed by the Polish aerospace company PZL-Świdnik. It was first introduced in the late 1970s as a modern and versatile transport helicopter primarily designed for military purposes. The development of the W-3 Sokół was driven by the necessity to replace older helicopters in the Polish Armed Forces, while also catering to national security requirements. Over time, it has gained recognition for its wide range of missions, including troop transport, search and rescue operations, medical evacuations, and aerial reconnaissance. The PZL W-3 Sokół has been extensively deployed by both the Polish military and various international customers.
Technical specifications
| Version: W-3A | |
|---|---|
| Crew | 2 members |
| Maximum speed | 260 km/h (162 mph) |
| Height | 5.1 m (16.9 ft) |
| Length | 14.2 m (46.6 ft) |
| Service ceiling | 4910 m (16109 ft) |
| Empty weight | 3850 kg (8488 lbs) |
| Max. takeoff weight | 6400 kg (14110 lbs) |
| Climb rate | 9.3 m/s (30.5 ft/s) |
| Powerplant | 2 × turbines PZL-Rzeszów PZL-10W delivering 662 kW |
Current operating countries
| Country | Units | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Poland | 62 | |
|
Myanmar | 12 | |
|
Czech Republic | 10 | |
|
Algeria | 8 | |
|
Philippines | 5 | |
Numbers in parentheses, e.g. '(+5)', indicate units ordered but not yet delivered.
All operators
Czech Republic • Algeria • Myanmar • Philippines • Poland
Photo of W-3 Sokol
