Mi-17 series helicopters——

The multi-functional "hippo" with extended descendants

　　For the performance of the Mi-17 helicopter, many users have given "good praise".

This also includes the Afghan Air Force.

　　The United States once provided the Afghan Air Force with a batch of upgraded "Black Hawk" helicopters, and wanted the Afghan Air Force to replace the "emergency" Mi-17 helicopters with spare parts.

However, after accepting the "Black Hawk" helicopters, the Afghan Air Force continued to use the Mi-17 helicopters, even if they had to go to great lengths to collect related parts.

　　Not only Afghanistan, the US military also had to "take a high look" at the Mi-17 helicopter.

According to related reports, the US military even intends to purchase the Mi-17 helicopter in order to help the Marine Corps instructors familiarize themselves with its performance and find its flaws and shortcomings, so as to plan for possible future "hands".

　　Why is this medium-sized transport helicopter with a single rotor and a tail rotor that appeared in the early 1980s and is still highly regarded today?

Perhaps, starting with its nickname "Hippo-H", you can find out.

　　The Mi-17 is upgraded from the Mi-8 helicopter. In addition to inheriting the advantages of the Mi-8's "longevity", its "belly volume" is larger-the large cabin design enables it to carry certain types of assaults Cars or more than 30 fully armed soldiers to perform assault combat missions.

A large part of the reason why the Afghan Air Force refuses to abandon it is that it has a powerful transport capability of "one and two"-a Mi-17 can carry a load, almost two "Black Hawk" helicopters can be loaded to complete.

　　Not only that, it is more "skinny", and it can fly well in harsh environments such as plateaus.

On the Syrian battlefield in 2015, a Mi-17 helicopter was hit by an air defense missile and an engine was severely damaged.

Even so, it did not crash and returned successfully.

　　Mi-17's offensive power cannot be underestimated.

The newly improved Mi-171SH armed transport helicopter is equipped with a 12.7 mm caliber machine gun and a 23 mm caliber cannon.

After the helicopter pylon is strengthened, it can mount various types of anti-tank missiles and even air-to-air missiles with a longer range.

Just like the docile and cute hippopotamus on the surface, although it is only a transport helicopter, if the opponent tries to arouse its "violent temper", first consider whether it can withstand its powerful firepower output.

　　Because of its many advantages, the Mi-17 helicopter is favored by many countries.

This may also be the reason why India insists on upgrading the Mi-17 helicopter body when it has a short lifespan.

　　There are so many modifications of the Mi-17 helicopter that people are dizzying.

Its "closeness to the people" in terms of market prices allows its descendants to continue.

　　According to statistics, more than 50 models of Mi-17 helicopters have been derived and exported to more than 80 countries.

Moreover, orders are still being accepted.

　　From this point of view, for a long time in the future, people will still be able to find them galloping across the sky in many countries.

　　Zhang Weijie Wang Haofan