Might explain why the Pakistan Army became interested in the T129 ATAK:
https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/defence-helicopter/mspo-2017-the-kruk-of-the-matter/
MSPO 2017: The Kruk of the matter
29th August 2017 - 11:08 GMT | by
Helen Haxell in London
Despite the postponed advancement of the Polish attack helicopter requirement, likely related to the delayed ASW/SOF tender, companies are outlining proposed platforms for the much anticipated programme.
The twin-engine
AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter is being proposed by Bell for the ‘Kruk’ project.
One of the Viper’s key capabilities for the Polish Armed Forces’ missions is the
Target Sight System (TSS), a Bell Helicopter spokesperson commented in a statement to
Shephard.
Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, the TSS is a multi-sensor EO/IR fire control system which has a large-aperture MW FLIR sensor, a colour display, a laser designator and is installed to the nose of the Viper.
‘The AH-1Z Viper’s targeting sight system is the most advanced system available on an attack helicopter. The Viper has a combat radius of [more than] 240km carrying 16 Hellfire missiles, 2 AIM-9s and 650 20mm rounds,' the company spokesperson stated.
'The aircraft has unmatched air-to-air capability with AIM-9 integrated into the sensors and helmet mounted displays.'
In February this year, Lockheed Martin inked a contract with the USMC in relation to its TSS on board the helicopter.
The 85% technical commonality between the AH-1Z Viper and the
UH-1Y Venom means that there are parts widely available, which in turn means cost saving opportunities for prospective customers.
This point of commonality and interoperability is being leveraged as part of Bell's pitch for the helicopter programme.
‘Induction of both the Viper and Venom afford the Polish military and taxpayers with the most advanced technology, combat capability with the greatest technology growth path for pollenisation of any aircraft team on the planet,’ noted the spokesperson.
On its proposed offering, Bell Helicopter is suggesting an ‘industrial package in conjunction with the Viper’, although the company would not divulge any further details.
One non-European competitor is the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI)
T129 Atak helicopter. Relatively new to the market, the twin-engine multirole combat helicopter is currently in operations with the Turkish Land Forces and was deployed in May 2016 for trials with Pakistan Army Aviation.
A TAI spokesperson in a statement said that one of the strengths of the rotorcraft in the competition was its maintenance and life-cycle costs.
‘As a candidate for the Kruk programme, T129 Atak is the most modern, agile and robust, day/night, all-weather attack and reconnaissance weapon system, [which is] now being offered to the Polish Air Force to provide best performance and manoeuvre capability for all-weather conditions.'
The spokesperson continued: ‘Through effective design, on board diagnostics, minimum crew requirements for maintenance and a simplified logistical footprint, the T129 Atak’s life-cycle costs are very competitive and almost certainly unbeatable in its class.'
The tender timeline for the programme to replace the Mi-24 remains confidential at this stage and the Polish government remain tight-lipped on the next steps.
Other companies that have also expressed an interest include Airbus Helicopters and Boeing. The tender launch for 16 to 32 aircraft is anticipated later this year or early into 2018.
