April 3,
2008: The Polish Navy has received the first of three PZL Mielec M28 Bryza-1R
bis maritime reconnaissance/ASW (anti-Submarine Warfare) aircraft. The M28 is a Polish version of the
30 year old Russian An-28 design. This is a twin engine, seven ton aircraft
that is usually used to carry cargo and passengers (about three tons of
either). Poland had earlier converted seven M28s for maritime reconnaissance.
The new three models add ASW capabilities in the form of a magnetic anomaly detector and sonobuoys. No
weapons are carried.
The new
version also has improved maritime search radar (with a range of 180
kilometers), FLIR (for seeing through darkness and bad weather, and detecting
warm bodies on the surface) and some electronic countermeasures. The Bryza also
carries life rafts for rescue at work. For the most part, the Bryza aircraft
work for the coast guard, keeping an eye out for poachers (on fishing areas)
and smugglers (of people, drugs or whatever.)
The Bryza
has a crew of six and can stay in the air for about four hours per sortie. Cruising
speed is about 350 kilometers an hour.
