M28 Skytruck

The PZL M28 Skytruck is a Polish light utility STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) aircraft produced by PZL Mielec. It originated as the Antonov An-28, which won a competition against the Beriev Be-30 for a light transport to replace the An-2. Production was transferred from the USSR to PZL Mielec in 1978, and the first Polish-built production aircraft flew on July 22, 1984. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, PZL developed the westernized M28 Skytruck, featuring Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65B engines and BendixKing avionics. This version first flew on July 24, 1993, and received US FAR Part 23 certification in 2004. PZL Mielec was acquired by Sikorsky in 2007 and is currently owned by Lockheed Martin.

Design

The M28 is an all-metal, twin-engined high-wing monoplane with twin vertical fins and fixed tricycle landing gear. It is designed for operation from unprepared runways, utilizing inertial separators in air ducts and an inverted engine configuration to prevent foreign object damage. Aerodynamically deployed leading-edge slats allow a stall speed of 64 knots and a demonstrated landing distance of 156 meters. Safety systems include an automatic spoiler that deploys on the wing opposite a failed engine to limit wing drop. The aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 7,500 kg and a maximum payload of 2,300 kg. The cabin can be configured for 19 passengers, 17 paratroopers, or six medical litters. Inward-opening rear doors permit cargo drops and utility operations.

Specialized maritime variants utilize different sensor suites. The Bryza 1R is equipped with an ASR-400 360° search radar and Link-11 datalink. The Bryza 1E employs the Ericsson MSS-5000 system, which includes two side-looking airborne radars (SLAR) with a combined 160 km swath width, EO/IR sensors, and IR/UV line scanners for pollution monitoring. The Bryza 1RM bis includes an ARS-800-2 radar, a magnetic anomaly detector (MAD), FLIR, and hydro-acoustic sonobuoy launchers.

Armament

The proposed MC-145B Wily Coyote variant features armament systems for light attack roles. This includes four underwing hardpoints and eight internal, reloadable Common Launch Tubes (CLT). It is designed with a ramp-launch capability and dual sensor turrets under the nose and fuselage.

Operational History

By 2006, 176 aircraft in all variants had been produced. Primary operators include the Polish Air Force and Navy, the Indonesian National Police, and the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). AFSOC operated 16 aircraft under the C-145A designation starting in 2009, primarily for special operations support. One C-145A was lost in Afghanistan in 2011, and the USAF retired the type in December 2022. Surplus US airframes were transferred to Estonia, Kenya, Nepal, and Costa Rica. Other export customers include Venezuela, Vietnam, and Guyana.

Variants

• PZL An-28: Original license-built variant powered by Soviet-designed PZL-10S engines.
• PZL M28 Skytruck: Westernized development featuring Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65B engines and five-blade Hartzell propellers.
• PZL M28B Bryza: Militarized transport and maritime patrol variants used by the Polish Air Force and Navy.
• C-145A: U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command designation for the M28 Skytruck.
• MC-145B Wily Coyote: Armed strike variant equipped with wing hardpoints and internal launch tubes.