PZL-Swidnik SA, an AgustaWestland company, has unveiled the prototype of the SW-4 'Solo' Rotorcraft Unmanned Air System/Optionally Piloted Helicopter (RUAS/OPH) single engine rotorcraft at MSPO 2012 in Kielce, Poland, today.

The SW-4 'Solo' is the result of extensive cooperation between PZL-Swidnik and AgustaWestland engineering teams. The RUAS/OPH version of the proven SW-4 single engine platform is allowing PZL-Swidnik SA to become a leader in the European rotorcraft industry. With this solution the company aims at playing a major role in the UAV sector which shows significant growth potential and market opportunities.

Nicola Bianco, Managing Director of PZL-Swidnik SA, said "Unveiling the first ever Polish rotary-winged unmanned air system at MSPO 2012 demonstrate the leading role PZL-Swidnik SA is playing in the world's rotorcraft industry. For our company, remote controlled and unpiloted airborne capabilities are becoming synonymous with the highest possible technology achievements in aeronautics."

The SW-4 'Solo' is designed to deliver maximum flexibility to operators thanks to the capability of performing both piloted and unmanned missions in land and maritime environments.. In a RUAS configuration the SW-4 'Solo' can perform many tasks such as maritime, border and battlefield surveillance; target acquisition and reconnaissance; homeland security, environmental monitoring, ground survey and mapping, disaster / battle damage assessment and cargo supply.

As an optionally piloted platform, the helicopter is perfectly suited also for passenger transport and training with 1 + 4 crashworthy seats.

The SW-4 'Solo' can be fitted with a comprehensive mission equipment suite, incorporating surveillance sensors, communication/intelligence systems and armament. The SW-4 RUAS prototype is expected to perform its maiden flight in a piloted configuration in the forthcoming months while the first unmanned flight is expected to be performed in 2013.