SW-4 Completes Italian OPV Demo

摘要

AgustaWestland has completed a demonstration to the Italian defence ministry of an optionally-piloted helicopter based on the PZL-Swidnik SW-4. The SW-4 Solo Rotorcraft Unmanned Aerial System/Optionally Piloted Helicopter (RUAS/OPH) was developed by AgustaWestland in partnership with PZL-Swidnik of Poland, both part of the Finmeccanica group. The Italian MoD awarded AgustaWestland a research contract to "evaluate modern remote-controlled rotorcraft technology" and its potential use by the country's armed forces. The flight testing began in September 2013 and concluded in May, with trials taking place at both AgustaWestland"s Frosinone facility in Italy and at PZL's factory at Swidnik. It involved system monitoring, 'hands off' and remote-controlled manoeuvres, hovering and a range of mission profiles. A pilot was on board during the optionally piloted phase of the testing as a safety precaution.