Andrzej Jeziorski/WARSAW

ROCKWELL IS proposing an integrated weapons and avionics package for the Polish PZL-Swidnik W-3W Huzar military helicopter, including the Hellfire 2 anti-tank missile. The missile was released, to Poland by the US Government in December, 1995.

The US company is fronting an international team, and the offer was submitted to the Polish Government on 12 March. Sources close to the programme say that they expect a decision on a partner for Swidnik "soon", but Swidnik declines to comment.

Rockwell's bid includes electronic-warfare equipment from GEC-Marconi Defence Systems of the UK, sensors and targeting systems from Saab of Sweden, and a turret-mounted cannon from Italy's Finmeccanica. Talks are also under way with Lear Astronics, which could supply an autopilot.

As part of the deal, a memorandum of understanding has been drafted by Rockwell, for the licensed manufacture of the Hellfire 2, by Polish missile company, Mesko.

The US company's unsolicited bid followed the Government's release of the Hellfire 2. It is seen as an attempt to force a competition into what has hitherto been perceived as a one-horse race, with Rockwell now going head-to-head with Israel's Elbit.

Elbit is believed to be in the strongest position to win a partnership on the Huzar programme, having displayed a mock-up of a proposed cockpit configuration for the helicopter at Poland's annual defence show in Kielce in 1995.

The Israeli package offers night-attack capability with a thermal-imaging system from Rafael, as well as a mission flight-computer and a navigation system, which includes a moving-map display.

Sources close to the discussions say that another bid has come from a French team led by Aerospatiale, which proposes a package including the Euromissile Hot 2T missile and a Giat turret-mounted gun. Like the Israeli and US bid, this also includes licensed missile production by Mesko.

About two dozen Huzars, military versions of Swidnik's W-3 Sokol helicopter, are already in service fitted with Polish weaponry and avionics.

The Polish armed forces have a need, still not formally defined, for a more-capable combat-support helicopter with a modern anti-tank missile system. The question remains, whether there will be sufficient funds in a defence budget, which is likely to be strained in the near future, by Poland's desire to buy Western fighter aircraft.

Source: Flight International