Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) company, and its affiliate PZL Mielec are finalizing an M28 short takeoff and landing airplane for its transatlantic flight from southeast Poland to Latin America and the Caribbean, the companies said.
Once in the region, the 7,500 kg (16,500 lb.) twin turboprop airplane will demonstrate its ability to move people and cargo into short, unpaved, or underdeveloped airstrips to interested militaries and commercial transport. The tour begins in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago on March 17, 2017 before visiting 12 other cities through mid-May across Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama and Mexico.
PZL pilots and aircrew will fly the aircraft from Mielec, Poland, on February 24 to Denmark, then begin the maritime leg to Scotland and Iceland. The aircraft arrives in Kulusuk, Greenland on February 28 after 2,164 nm and approximately 10 hours of transatlantic flying.
The M28 aircraft is certified by Brazil´s ANAC, and by EASA and the FAA to perform in minus 50°C to 50°C temperatures. The airframe´s ice protection system is certified for flight into known icing conditions.
A high-lift wing, two 1,100 shp (820 kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-65B turboprop engines, and thrust-reversing propellers give the airplane unique short takeoff and landing capabilities. With a maximum payload of 2,300 kg (5,000 lb), the M28 can take off and land on rough airstrips just 548 meters (1,800 ft.) long.
Bethesda, Maryland-based Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 97,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
