The
grounding of a W-3A "Sokol" due to battery failure is not a cause for
concern, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin said
on Friday.
He
said this is just a minor deficiency.
"(The
grounding should not be a cause of concern) as these are minor deficiencies.
From what I gathered, the helicopter was grounded due to a weak battery. I
really do not know the official report yet but its nothing major," Gazmin
stressed.
The
DND chief also added that there is no need for the Philippine Air Force (PAF)
to ground the remaining seven "Sokols" in its inventory, adding that
the battery defect was only experienced by one aircraft.
The
grounded "Sokol" which is still stuck at the helipad of Camp Gen.
Aguinaldo, Quezon City, was supposed to transport Gazmin and his party to Clark
Air Base in Pampanga for the 66th anniversary of the PAF last July 1.
The
helicopter was grounded there since Monday.
The
batteries power the electronic components of the W-3A flight component systems.
Aside
from its defective batteries, the grounded W-3A "Sokol" in Camp Aguinaldo
The
PAF's W3-A "Sokols" or "Falcon" combat utility helicopters
are equipped with the latest navigation and avionics systems including a night
vision goggle compatible cockpit, allowing it to operate day and night in all
weather conditions.
This
six-ton class helicopter can transport up to 11 troops in the cabin or can lift
up to 2,100 kilograms using its external cargo hook.
This
helicopter can also be fitted with a M-60D machine gun on each side of the
cabin.
Augusta
PZL-Swidnik is Poland
It
has its own research and development center and with 3,500 employees is also
the biggest aerospace manufacturer in Poland
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=541372
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