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Agusta A129 Krogulec: The Right Choice For Poland's Military Requirements
The story of the Agusta and PZL-Swidnik collaboration is a very successful one. As a matter of fact, today Agusta and PZL-Swidnik are associated in two advanced helicopter programs; the A109 Power and the AB139. The Polish Attack Helicopter Program is a further opportunity to deepen this collaboration, and to definitely integrate PZL-Swidnik in the new European aerospace context.
Agusta has always favoured a pragmatic approach towards industrial collaborations that can truly bring increased value and benefits for the companies involved. Its background in successful international program makes Agusta the ideal partner for PZL-Swidnik in an advanced program such as the Polish Attack Helicopter Program, where the watchwords are performance, reliability and quality.
Krogulec, Sparrow-hawk, is a nickname that accurately symbolizes the Agusta A129 International's characteristics. The A129 is an agile, multirole combat helicopter for day/night and all-weather combat, capable of performing missions such as armed reconnaissance and surveillance, high value ground target engagement, escort, fire support and air threat suppression.
The technological innovations of the Krogulec are based upon two main considerations: the adoption of key advanced technology and the optimisation of each hardware and software subsystem. The A129 Krogulec is provided with a fully computerised and comprehensive digital data integration system, known as Integrated Mission System, which controls and manages the flight and on-board mission subsystems and therefore dramatically reduces crew work-load while enhancing mission management.
Krogulec is equipped with autonomous and sophisticated navigation night vision systems, and is capable of performing low level and Nap Of the Earth missions at night and in poor visibility conditions. The A129 can be equipped with Hellfire type missiles. Furthermore, it has the capability to fire rockets of different calibre: 81mm for outstanding performance at longer range or 2,75 for ammunition commonality with NATO countries. A three-barrel Gatling type 20mm cannon is turret mounted under the nose of the helicopter to allow rapid off-axis ground and air target engagements. At extended range air-to-air combat has also possible by the integration of Stinger type missiles.
Krogulec is designed to optimise overall logistic efficiency with the aim of minimising maintenance activities and thus maximising helicopter availability. In order meet training requirements, a number of special aids have been developed including an advanced flight and combat simulator to provide a realistic representation of the flight and operational environment
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" Agusta A129 Krogulec: The Right Choice For Poland's Military Requirements