The PZL Mielec M28 Skytruck / Bryza is a light turboprop short take-off and landing (STOL) aircraft manufactured by PZL Mielec principally for the Polish Air Force and Navy. It is an improved version of the Antonov An-28 aircraft.
The M28 is exported to the US, Nepal, Colombia, Venezuela, Vietnam and Indonesia. The aircraft is operated by the Polish Air Force, Polish Navy, United States Air Force, Vietnamese Air Force, Royal Nepalese Army Air Service, Venezuelan Army and Indonesia Air Police.
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The multi-mission aircraft can be deployed in troop and cargo transport, med-evac, maritime patrol and reconnaissance missions. Skytruck can also be used to airdrop equipment or small infiltration teams.
Design and features
The design of M28 is based on the Antonov An-28 twin light prop transport aircraft. The design incorporates a high wing layout, twin vertical fins and rudders, a larger fuselage and turboprop engines. The airframe is made from an all-metal structure.
M28 Bryza is fitted with a robust tricycle non-retractable landing gear. The nose wheel allows landing and takeoff operations on short and unprepared runways during hot or high altitude conditions.
The M28 can carry a crew of two to three plus 12 paratroopers or 18 passengers based on the mission requirements.
Development
The production of the An-28 was transferred to Poland-based PZL Mielec in 1978. The licence-built aircraft were initially designated PZL An-28. The PZL Mielec-produced PZL An-28 were earlier powered by PZL-10S (licence-built TVD-10B) engines.
The aircraft was later developed into a westernised variant powered by Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65B turboprop engines with five-blade Hartzell propellers.
Western style avionics were incorporated in the design. The new aircraft, designated PZL M28 Skytruck, completed its maiden flight on 24 July 1993. The limited production delivered 39 aircraft for export markets by 2006. The M28 Skytruck received Polish certification in March 1996, while US FAR Part 23 certification was issued in March 2004.
In addition to the Skytruck, PZL Mielec also produced a series of light military transport and maritime reconnaissance aircraft for the Polish Air Force and Polish Navy in the 1990s. These aircraft were equipped with PZL-10S engines, and were designated PZL M28B by the Polish Air Force and Bryza by the Navy.
Mission variants
PZL An-28TD is a basic transport variant developed for transport and paratroop training operations.
PZL M28B series includes Bryza 1TD, M28B, M28B Salon, M28B TDII, TDIII and TDIV. These improved transport variants boast modern avionics and airframes.
PZL M28B Bryza 1R is another maritime patrol and reconnaissance variant deployed in sea border patrolling, search and rescue operations and protection of the national economic sea zone.
Bryza 1R is equipped with 360 degrees search and surveillance radar ASR-400 and Link-11 datalink.
PZL M28B Bryza 1E is a maritime ecological reconnaissance and patrol variant.
PZL M28B Bryza 1RM bis is a maritime patrol and reconnaissance variant equipped with submarine detection capability.
The aircraft is fitted with 360° search and surveillance radar ARS-800-2, sonobuoys, FLIR, magnetic anomaly detector and Link-11 datalink. PZL M28 05 Skytruck is also a maritime patrol and search and rescue (SAR) variant developed for the Polish Border Guard.
Avionics
The aircraft is installed with an improved Honeywell avionics suite for VFR / IFR day and night and all weather operations. The whole instrumentation complies with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).
All naval variants are fitted with modern avionics including KFC-325 flight control system, RDR-2000 weather radar, SC-10D2 IFF transponder and LCR-92 laser gyro platform. Navigation avionics include KLN-900 satellite navigation unit and KNR-634A navigational kit.
Turboprop engines
The M28 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT-6A-65B turboprop engines delivering a total power of 820kW. Driving two five bladed propellers, the engines provide a maximum speed of 350km/h.
