WZL-2, the Polish air force's maintenance facility at Bydgoszcz, is expanding its upgrade programmes to include the PZL-Mielec TS-11 Iskra as well as the Polish air force's Sukhoi Su-22 Fitters and RSK MiG-29 Fulcrums.
The TS-11 provides WZL-2 with an export opportunity. India, like Poland, has delayed an advanced trainer acquisition, and both countries will have to retain the Iskras for some years. Export opportunities for the Su-22 package are limited, although the company is promoting its MiG-29 programme.
Any TS-11 avionics upgrade will likely be limited to a GPS satellite navigation system and a modern transponder, VOR/ILS radio-navigation and instrument-landing system (ILS) and communications systems.
PZL-Mielec will undertake fatigue tests and design a structural upgrade package which would be implemented by WZL-2.
Financial restrictions have forced the Polish air force to adopt a staged upgrade approach: ILSis being fitted to its Su-22s and flight testing of a similar modification for the MiG-29 is due to start this month. WZL-2 has prepared GPS and other navigation system upgrades, and has fitted an aircraft with QAR/S54 and QAR6A displays built by Warsaw-based ATM. The QAR/S54 displays flight, navigation and weapons-system information, while the smaller QR6A is linked to navigation and communications systems.
Source: Flight International
