Specialists of the National Center for Helicopter Engineering (NCV) named after M.L.

Mil and N.I.

Kamov completed tests of the Mi-171A2 multi-purpose helicopter on Elbrus.

This was reported by the press service of the state corporation Rostec.

The flights were carried out in various modes in order to check the quality of the on-board systems, components and assemblies of the machine.

“The Mi-171A2 helicopter carried out test flights with a takeoff weight of up to 13 tons. Experts checked the operation of the main systems in the highlands: engines, auxiliary power unit, oxygen equipment.

In addition, as part of the tests, the controllability, maneuverability and rate of climb of the helicopter were evaluated at sites of various altitudes, ”the Rostec website says.

During the experiments, various maneuvers were worked out, including those with imitation of emergency situations.

In particular, the so-called aborted landings were carried out, when the helicopter continues to fly if one engine fails and is forced to go into the second circle.

Also, the staff of the NCV worked out such maneuvers as continued take-offs, when, after taking off from the ground, a sudden failure of one of the engines occurs, but the car continues to rise.

In addition, Russian specialists in high-mountain conditions worked out the possibility of landing with the engines turned off - in autorotation mode.

This method of landing involves planning due to the energy of the oncoming air flow.

In a critical situation, the ability to use this mode allows you to save the lives of passengers and protect the helicopter from destruction.

As the head of flight tests, the honored test pilot of the Russian Federation Hero of Russia Alexander Klimov, told reporters, the Mi-171A2 confidently performed maneuvers with a maximum take-off weight.

According to him, the helicopter demonstrated "high rates of power-to-weight ratio, stability and controllability in rarefied air, which had the best effect on flight safety."

“The Mi-171A2 is a real mountain helicopter,” the Rostec press service quotes Klimov. 

As stated in the state corporation, the result of the tests on Elbrus will be the expansion of the current certificate for flights at altitudes from 3.5 thousand to 5 thousand meters above sea level.

“The performance characteristics of the Mi-171A2 helicopter ensure the reliability and efficiency of its operation in high-altitude areas ... Tests have shown that this indicator (3.5 thousand meters -

RT

) can be significantly increased: the helicopter can be used to transport passengers and cargo in the highlands at an altitude of up to 5,000 meters,” said Oleg Gulyaev, First Deputy General Director of the Russian Helicopters holding.

The successor of the legendary Mi-8

The Mi-171A2 is one of the deeply modernized models of the legendary family of Mi-8/17 multi-purpose helicopters, which received the most flattering reviews from specialists and received high marks for its reliability and unpretentiousness in operation.

According to Rostec, the Mi-171A2 can be used in various natural and climatic conditions, but has "fundamentally new capabilities" when operating in the highlands and in areas with a hot climate.

This advantage is achieved due to the installation of high-power engines VK-2500PS-03 and an upgraded complex of flight-navigation and radio communication equipment.

  • Engine VK-2500PS-03

  • © United Motor Corporation Press Service

In an interview with RT, retired Major General Vladimir Popov, Honored Military Pilot of the Russian Federation, explained that the emphasis on the use of the Mi-171A2 in high mountains and hot climates is mainly due to the requirements of potential foreign customers - the countries of Latin America and Southeast Asia.

“In mountainous areas, pilots face a number of serious problems.

This is a lack of traction at altitudes above 3 thousand meters, it is difficult to land the car on high-altitude sites and then lift it into the air.

There are difficulties with hovering and piloting, taking into account the folds of the terrain and often difficult weather conditions: precipitation, strong gusts of wind, ”Popov said.

Nevertheless, according to the expert, the engineers of the National Helicopter Center were able to create a rotorcraft capable of performing missions in the highlands.

Mi-171A2 is produced at the aircraft factory in Ulan-Ude.

In 2017, the car was certified by the Russian authorities in category "A".

Thus, it meets the most stringent flight safety requirements for civil helicopters.

Compared to mass-produced Mi-8/17 models, the new machine has 10% higher speed performance and 25% higher payload.

The maximum speed of the Mi-171A2 is 280 km / h, cruising - 260 km / h, the maximum flight range with the main tanks - 800 km, the practical ceiling - 6 thousand meters.

The vehicle is designed to transport passengers and cargo at temperatures from -50 to +50 °C.

It is capable of performing search and rescue, medical, transport operations and extinguishing fires.

Up to 4 tons of cargo can be placed inside the cargo compartment of the Mi-171A2, and up to 5 tons on the external sling. The passenger capacity of the helicopter is 20 people.

However, at the request of the customer, the manufacturer has the opportunity to install 24 seats - the corresponding permission was received by the Russian Helicopters holding from the Federal Air Transport Agency in June 2021.

  • Helicopter Mi-171A2

  • © Press Service of Russian Helicopters

Also, to improve comfort and safety, the Mi-171A2 is equipped with oxygen equipment, an air conditioning and heating system, a wardrobe and luggage compartments.

Eight evacuation points are equipped for emergency escape of the helicopter in case of an accident.

The advantages of the Mi-171A2 Rostec include an improved aerodynamic layout, a more efficient X-shaped tail rotor and a new main rotor with composite blades.

Along with this, the helicopter is equipped with a digital complex of on-board equipment KBO-17-1, made according to the "glass cockpit" principle.

Its integration made it possible to reduce the crew to two people.

According to experts, the VK-2500PS-03 gas turbine engine provides a wide flight and operational capabilities of the machine.

In takeoff mode, the engine develops a power of 2 thousand liters.

s., and in emergency mode - 2.7 thousand liters.

with.

According to the United Engine Corporation (UEC), the design of the VK-2500PS-03 allows it to be used at any geographic point and launched at altitudes up to 6,000 m. The engine is operable in the temperature range from -50 to +60 ° С.

As reported in the materials of the UEC, the VK-2500PS-03 implements a digital control system BARK-6V-7S.

It combines a huge number of sensors and measurement systems, "which control the operation of the engine in all modes and can independently adapt them to operating conditions."

It should be noted that, in addition to the Mi-171A2, the VK-2500PS-03 is installed on its marine modification - the Mi-171A3.

This is the first Russian helicopter for offshore operations and maintenance of offshore drilling platforms.

The vehicle can accommodate 24 passengers and is equipped with an emergency splashdown system for wave heights of up to 5 m. Several Mi-171A3s have already been ordered by Gazprom.

"Will find application in Russia"

According to Russian Helicopters, the Mi-171A2 embodies the best qualities of the Mi-8/17 family of helicopters.

The holding considers high flight performance, a wide range of tasks, new on-board electronics, a powerful power plant, and a reduced cost per flight hour to be the advantages of its offspring.

In a RT commentary, the editor-in-chief of the Avia.ru portal, Roman Gusarov, called the Mi-171A2 the most modern product in the Mi-8/17 line.

According to the expert, the helicopter is very different from its predecessors in terms of fuselage design, avionics, engines and propellers.

  • Helicopter Mi-171A2

  • © Press Service of Russian Helicopters

“The Mi-171A2 retained some external resemblance to the classic Mi-8, but, in fact, this is a new helicopter.

Its appearance is the result of a long evolution of this family of multi-purpose machines, without which Russian helicopter aviation is unthinkable, ”Gusarov emphasized.

In addition, as the expert noted, the Mi-171A2 was created "with an eye on export", and Kazakhstan and India became the first foreign operators of the machine.

In 2021, a contract for the supply of domestic helicopters was concluded with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Bangladesh.

“Now there is a quite predictable pause in Russian export contracts, but, as I think, the Mi-171A2 will be in demand abroad - in friendly RF and neutral countries.

This is a civilian helicopter, and it has very decent performance at altitudes with rarefied air, ”Gusarov explained.

A similar point of view is shared by Vladimir Popov.

Also, according to the interlocutor of RT, regardless of the development of the political situation in the world, the Mi-171A2 will definitely be in demand in Russia.

“Of course, sanctions restrictions still have an impact on the demand for all our aircraft — without them, I would estimate the potential market for the Mi-171A2 at 35-40 countries.

But the tests that took place on Elbrus, in my opinion, indirectly indicate that deliveries abroad are still planned.

In any case, the Mi-171A2 will also find application in Russia, ”Popov concluded.