The Polish navy has completed the first upgrade programme for its Mil Mi-14 helicopters, and is planning further modernisation work.
The programme, begun in 1995, covers mainly the navy's 12 anti-submarine-warfare (ASW) Mi-14 PL variants. The upgrade focuses on increasing the capabilities of the helicopter's submarine-detection system.
Modification of the OKA-2 hydro-acoustic unit has been carried out by the Gdansk technical university, with assistance from the Air Force Technological Institute. The primary aim is to increase detection range under various conditions, including modifications to the automatic optimisation system, which reacts to changing temperatures and other environmental factors.
Tests have shown that the system can now detect sunken ships as well as submarines.
A simultaneous upgrade has been carried out on the navy's three Mi-14 PS search-and-rescue helicopters, which have been equipped with new Koden 911 global-positioning-system receivers and Radwar RS6106-7 radios.
Further ASW helicopter upgrades are being planned, with the first priority being to improve the APM-60 magnetometer. This is also to be done by the university, which has completed laboratory tests on a prototype unit and is embarking on operational tests.
The next step will include the installation of new identification-friend-or-foe transponders aboard both naval Mi-14 models.
Source: Flight International
