In late 1930s the
Polish Navy sought a replacement for the ageing
R-XIIIter and
Lublin R-VIII. The new design was to replace those aircraft in both the torpedo bomber and close-range reconnaissance roles. Design of the RWD 22 started in October 1938 and by January 1939 the basic three projects were ready, each with different engine and armament configuration, but with a similar silhouette. The first version was to be equipped with a German-built
Argus As-10c with of power and would carry up to of bombs. The second variant was equipped with second generation
Walter Minor 12-JMR with a projected power of and was to carry of bombs. The third and final version was to be equipped with a Polish-built third generation
PZL G-1620B Mors II engine, already being used with the
RWD-14 Czapla. Alternatively, American
Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior SB could also be used. A land-based version of the aircraft was also being considered under a separate designation
RWD 24. It was most likely to receive two
Gnome-Rhône 14M Mars engines of . In the summer of 1939 the third, heaviest variant was chosen by the Polish Navy and a wooden mock-up was completed for aerodynamic trials. The designers also received 150.000
Polish złoty for the prototype, which was to be completed by mid-1940. The first serial run was to be started in 1940 and by early 1942 the
Naval Air Squadron was to receive the first 12 planes. However, the
Nazi and Soviet invasion of Poland and the outbreak of World War II interrupted further works. ==Specifications (RWD 22 estimated)==