Posted on 05/25/2004 11:23:16 AM PDT by Grzegorz 246
The aircraft manufacturer Polskie Zak³ady Lotnicze Mielec is celebrating five years of operation.
Mielec is the capital of the Polish aviation industry with many years of tradition. Even before World War II, construction of the first Polish airplane began in Mielec. In its current form, PZL Mielec was created five years ago after the restructuring of the former plant. "The idea to build an aviation holding company was approached by many with reserve; today it can already be said that the entire operation has produced good results and the consolidated group is a reliable partner for foreign partners. The best proof is the fact that we have a full book of orders both for this year and the next. We have secured a strong position for ourselves and cooperate with the greatest corporations around the world," said Zbigniew Dzia³owski, president of PZL Mielec.
At the moment, PZL Mielec is implementing an offset agreement for the production of the M28 Skytruck and M18 Dromader, the development of cooperation programs and expansion to the markets of Southeast Asia and South America. The company currently has a work force of 1,500.
The flagship product of PZL Mielec is the M28 Skytruck. This is a passenger/transport commuter-class short takeoff and landing (STOL) airplane. It can carry 2,300 kg of cargo, 19 passengers or 17 parachutists. The Skytruck retains full navigability with one working engine. The plane has been successfully exported to South America, where 24 machines are being used; one plane of this type is operated by the Royal Army of Nepal, and in May this year another plane will be delivered there. In Poland the Skytruck in various configurations is being introduced to service in the Polish armed forces. The Skytruck is generating growing interest in North America as well as Asia, Africa and the Mediterranean. The offset program linked with the purchase of F-16 jets for the Polish air force provides for the sale of 100 Skytrucks to the United States over 10 years. "The sale of the Skytruck as part of the offset agreement is a guarantee of a stable future for PZL Mielec," Dzia³owski said.
Also popular is a sea reconnaissance plane for the protection of coastal waters, the M28B Bryza, used by the Polish Navy. A Bryza with an enlarged fuel tank in the wing can perform six-hour patrol flights over sea waters. One such machine is used by the NATO rapid reaction forces. For the needs of the Air Force, further versions of this plane are being made in Mielec, intended for the transport of soldiers and arms and for the performance of other special missions.
PZL also makes M18 Dromader crop-dusting/firefighting planes, which have been sold to 24 countries worldwide on all continents. More than 200 of these machines are used in the United States.
At the moment, PZL Mielec cooperates with Lockheed Martin, Pratt&Whitney, Textron-Cessna, Boeing, GKN Westland, BAE Systems and Saab.
Looks like they put lipstick on the Warthog ;0)
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