Mi-8/17, Μi-38, Mi-26: News

Here are the new Mi-8AMTSh in the new camo. They don't have the rear ramp for some reason. Were there structural problems with the ramp? And it looks like they have a new APU, and all of them have vibration dampers.

Russian Helicopters delivers first consignment of upgraded Mi-8AMTSh to Defence Ministry
Russian Aviaton » Monday September 1, 2014 17:37 MSK

Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of Oboronprom, part of State Corporation Rostec, has delivered the first consignment of four upgraded Mi-8AMTSh transport helicopters to Russia’s Defence Ministry. The helicopters were built at Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant (UUAP), a Russian Helicopters company, as part of the state defence order, and have successfully completed the flight to their new duty stations.

A long-term state contract for upgraded Mi-8AMTSh helicopters was signed in Ulan-Ude in August 2013. The improvements to the aircraft – the first of their type in serial production – have been designed to reduce maintenance requirements over the life-cycle of the helicopter.

"The new helicopters will help strengthen our national defence capabilities,” said Russian Helicopters CEO Alexander Mikheev. “Today the Russian Army can call on the latest technologies and equipment. The Defence Ministry is a key customers for Russian Helicopters, and we are committed to producing reliable and failsafe helicopters as one of its priorities under the state defence order.”

“Improving the capabilities of our helicopters is a core priority for us,” said UUAP Managing Director Leonid Belykh. “In conjunction with Moscow Mil Helicopter Plant, which designs Mi-8/17 helicopters, we are able to offer the Russian Defence Ministry the latest helicopters which combine their unique operating experience with the latest technologies.”

The Mi-8AMTSh helicopters delivered to the Defence Ministry are fitted with enhanced VK-2500 engines and an upgraded and strengthened transmission to provide independent control of hours logged in service and improve the aircraft’s operational efficiency in mountainous terrain and hot climates. They also come with new TA-14 auxiliary power plants that generate improved thrust and power output, as well as modern weapons systems. Increased lightweight metal cladding protects the crew and essential support systems, while batteries with enhanced capacities mean electrical systems can function autonomously for longer periods. Thanks to the latest navigational equipment, the helicopter can fly a full range of military missions, including at night with the use of night-vision goggles. The aircraft’s potential capabilities can be significantly expanded by additional equipment for SAR missions and troop drops, and medical equipment to evacuate wounded personnel.

The Mi-8AMTSh has been upgraded with a focus on operational efficiency and ease of maintenance. The new helicopter now has a time between overhaul of 2,000 hours (up from 1,500 previously) and a service life of 35 years (up from 25), while operating costs across the life-cycle of the helicopter have been reduced by about 25%-30% compared to the basic model.

The delivery of the first consignment of upgraded Mi-8AMTSh helicopters marks a new page in the long history of collaboration between Russian Helicopters and Russia’s Armed Forces.

Russian Helicopters' Mi-38 pre-series production prototype makes first flight
Russian Aviaton » Tuesday October 28, 2014 17:37 MSK

The fourth prototype of the new multirole Mi-38 helicopter has carried out a series of ground runs and completed its first flight at Russian Helicopters' (part of State Corporation Rostec) Kazan Helicopters' test flight centre.

The helicopter was piloted by a team comprising commander and test pilot (first class), honoured test pilot of Russia, Vladimir Kutanin, the second pilot was second class test pilotMaxim Shezhin, and chief flight test engineer, second class, Sergei Panin. The helicopter was then sent to the test flight centre at Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant for preparations ahead of its certification testing.

“The Mi-38 development programme is making good progress,” Russian Helicopters deputy CEO, Kazan Helicopters CEO Vadim Ligai said. “Today, for the first time, the fourth prototype of this helicopter – that will soon start certification testing – took to the skies.” “Assembly production has already been launched on the fuselage of the first series-produced units. The Mi-38 has proven it boasts unique capabilities. I am confident that the helicopter will see great demand in Russia, the CIS countries, and on our traditional markets – countries across Africa, South East Asia, and Latin America.”

“The Mi-38 fourth prototype’s first flight was a success,” aircraft commander and test pilot (first class) Vladimir Kutanin said. “The helicopter handles well, all systems worked excellently during the test flight. The developers and producers of the Mi-38 can be proud. As pilots, we really liked the helicopter, it boasts excellent flight capabilities that should ensure it has very bright prospects.”

The Mi-38 fourth prototype differs from that of the third prototype in its shock-resistant fuel system and larger windows. As with the third prototype, the fourth prototype of the Mi-38 is equipped with twin TV7-117V turboshaft engines manufactured by Klimov. The engines’ power shafts are in a forward position and are located behind the main gearbox, which significantly reduces the level of noise in the cabin.

Aviation experts are confident that the Mi-38’s enhanced payload and passenger transportation capacity, combined with the high levels of speed and comfort achieved, will ensure it becomes one of the most popular models in regional aviation, chiefly for passenger and cargo transportation. Its low noise levels, reduced flight preparation time, roomy passenger cabin, meeting new flight safety standards all open up broad operational opportunities for the Mi-38, including in VIP transport. Mi-38 class helicopters boast greater operational profitability than small aircraft thanks to a variety of features, including the fact that they boast highly efficient engines do not need any airfield infrastructure.

Kazan Helicopters produces Mi-8/17 series helicopters that are operated in over 100 countries worldwide. A wide range of configurations are produced: transport, passenger, search and rescue, landing and transport, among many others. Preparations are underway to launch production of the Mi-38 passenger transport helicopter. Since 1997, Kazan Helicopters has been certified to develop helicopter technology: today the light twin-engine Ansat helicopter is in series production.

Airbase in Transbaikalia to Receive “Terminators” with GPS and Touch Screen

Russian Helicopters starts final certification tests on the Mi-38 multirole helicopter
12.11.2014 / Moscow

Russian Helicopters (part of State Corporation Rostec) has launched the final stage of certification testing on the Mi-38 multirole helicopter. Testing is being carried out on two prototype models of the helicopter fitted with Russian TV7-117V engines.

On 3 November 2014, Russian Helicopters’ Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant received the fourth prototype of the Mi-38 in order to continue certification flight testing. The helicopter is built at Kazan Helicopters, also a Russian Helicopters company. On 20 October 2014, it successfully completed a series of hover tests and low-speed ground runs, after which it was transported overland to the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant.

For further flight tests, the fourth Mi-38 prototype will be fitted with the full suite of on-board data acquisition systems. Starting flight tests on the forth prototype boosts progress towards the Mi-38’s certification – which is scheduled for 2015.

The fourth Mi-38 prototype is a pre-series model, comprising all the systems and components that would be installed on the series-produced helicopters of this type. It differs from the third prototype in its shock-resistant fuel system, which meets the latest emergency landing fire safety requirements. It also boasts larger windows that serve as additional emergency exits.

On 31 October, Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant launched the second phase of flight tests on the third Mi-38 prototype. On conclusion of the first phase of flight-development testing, the third Mi-38 prototype was re-equipped with TV7-117 engines at the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant assembly shop. The second phase of plant certification tests will run until the end of the year, and will see work completed under the state contract with the Russian Federation’s Ministry of Industry and Trade for 2014.

The Mi-38 is a medium-lift multirole helicopter, designed at the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant in accordance with AP-29 aircraft certification requirements. It is equipped with highly efficient Russian-made TV7-117 engines and an integrated digital flight navigation system with five LCD displays.

The Mi-38 is one of the most highly automated commercial aircraft in the world. The avionics suite makes it possible to complete route flights, landings, hover, and stabilise in any flight mode. Its IBKO-38 integrated avionics suite provides the crew with high-volume, high-quality data, ensuring high flight-safety levels.

The helicopter’s current capabilities, combined with the streamlined maintenance processes, make the Mi-38 very promising for regional aviation and the execution of certain objectives for commercial operators. Its independence from any base, the efficiency and resources offered by its systems and components, mean that the Mi-38 is more economically viable than the small aircraft planes currently operated in Russia.

I'm sure, that with GPS they mean GLONASS.

Yes.

GPS just means global positioning system and refers to satellite navigation.

To date it has meant Navstar, but now with Russian systems it would mean GLONASS.

As the conflict in South Ossetia showed it would be pointless to fit Navstar navigation systems on a Russian military platform... as during that conflict they turned the civilian signal off in that region, so georgian forces could navigate with their military receivers, but the civilian receivers used by the Russian military were useless.

"Russian Helicopters" began flight tests of Mi-171A2

Most models of Mi-17 have some sort of protection... the most commonly seen are those with the external armour plates near the front lower windows in the main canopy.

Armour on helos is heavy and has enormous cost in terms of performance and payload so few transports have a lot of it.

Most helos have protected fuel tanks and a bit of anti spall liner and that is about it.

The armour on the Hind is better and mostly Titanium which is strong and light, but the best protection for a helo is distance... 223 assault rifle ammo will barely pierce sheet aluminium at 800m let alone kill someone, heavier small arms fire is more dangerous and is rather more a threat but protecting a helo as large as an Mi-17 all over from small arms fire only and you will have a 15 ton helo that can carry 2-4 men as a payload... which is obviously not acceptable.

Western military district received 14 Mi-8MTV-5

About 10 of the latest military transport helicopters Mi-8 MTV-5 entered the Army Aviation Brigade of the Western Military District