2nd Batch Orders of Philippine AF Black Hawk Helos Undergoing Test in Poland

The Philippine Air Force’s second batch order of S-70i Black Hawk Helicopters have currently undertaking flight tests on Poland’s PZL Mielec, which itself is from Lockheed Martin’s helicopter subsidiary Sikorsky Helicopters.

A Polish plane spotter in the name of EPML Flight and Spotting (YouTube page) provides footages of the ongoing tests in Poland, as the procedure goes routinely to ensure the airworthiness of the newly-produced combat utility helicopters that form part of the additional 32-unit S-70i Black Hawk Helicopters that the Philippine Air Force ordered from Lockheed Martin, through its Polish subsidiary.

For context, the Philippine Air Force already has fifteen (15) units of the Polish-made combat utility helicopter in service, which, upon the completion of the 2nd batch orders, will total the number of units to at least forty-eight (48) helicopters of this type, forming the mainstay rotary aircraft unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ air service branch. This aims to eventually replace the UH-1 Iroquois Huey Combat Utility Helicopter, which was the service branch’s mainstay rotary aircraft before the modernization takes place.

The footage comes as just one event among multiple flight test procedures done by the Polish helicopter aircraft manufacturer, ensuring that the Philippine Air Force will receive fully-functional combat utility helicopters that ensures the safety and performance of the personnel in conducting mission requirements and upholding its mandate as one of essential components of the Philippine military’s push for expanded capabilities for both internal and territorial defense.

For more information regarding the footage, kindly check the footage provided below, giving insights on the flight test procedures as conducted by the manufacturer’s own support and tech personnels.

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