Poland is now experiencing the giant strides towards withdrawing Mi-14 helicopters from naval aviation. For years, Mi-14s have been used for ASW and SAR missions as true workhorses.

12 Mi-14PŁ and 4 Mi-14PS were purchased in the former USSR at the beginning of the 1980s. It was a significant enhancement of combat capabilities of the Naval Aviation at that time. Im the end of the 1950s, USSR experts noticed that the Mi-4M ASW (NATO Code Hound-C) helicopters developed from the Mi-4A (Hound) transport helicopter no longer meet the requirements, mainly due to the fact they had single piston engine. It resulted in low lifting capacity, as well as pose of a threat during flights over water – a failure of engine would lead to a catastrophe. Meanwhile, the Western Countries introduced Sikorsky SH-3A Sea King with a twin-turboshaft engine, with an amphibious hull and deployable floats on pylons of the main undercarriage, which allowed for emergency landing on water and evacuation of the crew. Given the example, Soviets decided to redesign the popular Mi-8 (Hip) utility helicopter.

[ut_button color=”yellow” target=”_self” link=”https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/958224-frag-out-magazine-19/47″ class=”FULL STORY” size=”small” title=”FULL STORY” ]FULL STORY[/ut_button]