PZL Mielec, a Lockheed Martin company, has completed production of its 100th Black Hawk utility helicopter. The S-70i variant is the first of two delivered to the Polish Armed Forces, on time, following a contract for four new aircraft signed in December 2021. The helicopters were manufactured at PZL Mielec and equipped in accordance with the contract. The configuration of both helicopters is identical to those already in use in the Polish Army. A previous contract for the delivery of four helicopters to the Polish Army was signed by PZL Mielec with the Ministry of National Defence in 2019. All four helicopters from the first contract were delivered on time in the requested configuration.
“The delivery of two more Black Hawk helicopters for the Polish Armed Forces is the next milestone in the development of the Polish production program of these helicopters,” said Janusz Zakrecki, PZL Mielec President, General Director.” On-time delivery also confirms the reliability of PZL Mielec as an industrial partner for the Polish Army,” added Zakrecki.
PZL Mielec is one of the largest aircraft manufacturers in Poland, as well as the largest Lockheed Martin production plant outside the United States. Since 2010, the company has delivered Black Hawk helicopters to 18 customers from 11 countries around the world. PZL Mielec also produced over 650 cabins and 520 tail cones and pylons for the Black Hawk program. Since 2022, the company’s portfolio has been enriched with the production of main components for the global F-16 Block 70/72 program, such as the structure of the rear and central fuselage as well as the structure of the cockpit and its side panels with the front compartment.
Polskie Zaklady Lotnicze Sp. z o. o., owned by Lockheed Martin, is one of the largest aircraft manufacturers in Poland and the largest Lockheed Martin production facility outside the United States. For over 85 years, the Mielec facility has been designing, manufacturing and servicing aircraft and helicopters. It is also a key member and one of the founders of the Aviation Valley Association represented by aerospace industry enterprises, which has the status of a National Key Cluster and is an engine of economic development not only of the region but also of the entire aviation industry in the country. In 2015, Sikorsky and PZL Mielec were acquired by Lockheed Martin headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
