The first airborne test launch of the Israeli Rafael NT-D anti-tank missile, a prerequisite for the Polish Government go-ahead for PZL-Swidnik's planned Huzar attack helicopter, has been delayed until 1997.
According to Polish political sources, Warsaw will wait for the test results, despite the fact that manufacturer, Rafael, will not meet the 30 November test deadline. The test should demonstrate a helicopter launch, hitting a target at a required range of 6km (12nm).
The Israelis have told the Polish Ministry of National Defence that it wants to carry out the NT-D launch, with other tests, between 15 December and 15 January.
The delay means that Swidnik will miss out on $4.6 million of Government development money allocated to the Huzar this year.
Source: Flight International