The largest cargo helicopter was designed and constructed in the USSR. A more detailed description will be presented at the end of the review. The aircraft can vertically take off, land, hover in the air and move with great load at decent distances. Below you can read about several machines ranked among the largest helicopters in the world.
Mi-10 rotorcraft
This is a Soviet transport vehicle, which was developed from 1961 to 1964. It belongs to the category of military transporters, designed on an earlier Mi-6 base. It was commissioned in 1963. The maximum load capacity of the machine is 15 tons. The weight of an empty device is almost two times higher, the maximum speed is 235 kilometers per hour.
The critical take-off weight is 43.7 tons. Its second name is “Flying Crane”. On board, it holds twenty-eight passengers and is intended primarily for transporting ballistic shells.
Sikorsky CH-53E
This modification is a heavy transport aircraft, which is considered the largest rotorcraft built in America. Its primary purpose is to carry out special operations in units of the marine corps. However, later the Sikorsky CH-53E cargo helicopter began to be operated in other areas. During operation, proved to be a reliable high-speed and effective device.
The unit is in service with several countries, including Germany, the USA, Mexico and Israel. In total, more than 520 cars of this series were produced. The maximum take-off weight is 19 tons, the maximum speed indicator is 315 kilometers per hour, the mass of an empty object is 10.7 tons.
Boeing MH-47E Chinook and Bell AH-1 Super Cobra
The MH model is one of the variations of the American military transport helicopter, made on the basis of the CH-47C. It has been in operation since 1991. It weighs more than 10 tons, has a top speed of over 310 km / h and is considered one of the fastest rotorcraft in the world. It continues to be used in some countries at present.
The Super Cobra is a type of twin-engine American combat helicopters, the basis for which was the predecessor of the AH-1W series. The modification in question is the main striking force of the United States Marines. The vehicle’s high-speed threshold is 350 kilometers per hour, and its weight is almost 5 tons when empty, and a third more when fully equipped.
Hughes XH-17 cargo helicopter
This unit was built back in 1952. At that time it was considered colossally heavy (19.7 tons). This flying crane was used to lift and transport superheavy cargo through an external suspension. The unit was released in only one copy, its test flight took place in the city of Culver (California). The top speed is 145 kilometers per hour. Until now, this machine holds a record for the size of the rotor, whose diameter is 36.9 meters.
Sikorsky CH-54 Tarhe
The heavy transport helicopter of this series is designed specifically for the US Army. He performed a series of operations during the Vietnam campaign. For all the time 105 cars of this modification were produced. The unit holds a record for maximum height with horizontal movement (11 kilometers) and the fastest climb to three and nine kilometers. Its mass is 9 tons, the maximum speed is 240 km / h. The critical take-off weight is 21 tons. It is actively used by the armies of different states.
Mi-24
Russian cargo helicopters of this modification are designed to support ground forces with the ability to transport heavy loads. On board, he can take up to eight passengers, not counting a pair of pilots. The machine is considered the first in Europe and the second in the world related to specialized military rotorcraft technology. Mi-24 helicopter is in service with almost thirty countries.
The device received its unofficial names ("Galya", "Crocodile", "Glass") during the Afghan campaign. The last nickname was fixed to him thanks to the flat glass inserts that the outer part of the cabin is equipped with. The maximum flight weight is 11.1 tons, the speed threshold is 335 kilometers per hour. The mass of the empty unit is 7.5 tons.
Mi-6
This aircraft has more modest characteristics than the Mi-10, is designed for use in civilian and military purposes. The test flight of the helicopter took place in the summer of 1957. Until 1972, more than five hundred copies were produced. The maximum load rating is 12 tons. For that time, he was considered one of the most durable and fast rotorcraft, with a maximum speed of 300 kilometers per hour. The maximum take-off weight is 42.5 tons, and the weight of an empty device is 27.2 tons.
B-12 (Mi-12)
The experimental twin-screw helicopter is the largest machine among analogues in the world. It was assumed that he would transport goods weighing at least 30 tons, including components of intercontinental strategic ballistic missiles. In total, two such machines were built, one of which lifted a cargo weighing 44.2 tons to a height of 2.2 thousand meters. The weight of the empty vehicle is 69 tons, the maximum take-off weight is 105 tons, and the speed threshold is 260 km / h. One copy has now become a museum exhibit, and the second serves as an exhibition complex on the subject of the Air Force.
Record holder
The largest cargo helicopter put into serial production is the Mi-26. Consider its characteristics and features in more detail. The machine was designed back in the seventies of the last century. The first flight took place in 1977. The main purpose of this aircraft is the possibility of military use and civilian use.
Modern Mi-26 are designed primarily for the army industry, can transport a huge number of passengers and heavy cargo. It is worth noting that the flight range is relatively small. Without refueling and cargo with full fuel tanks, a helicopter can overcome about eight hundred kilometers. The impressiveness of this machine is evidenced by its dimensions. The aircraft is 40 meters long, the diameter of the propeller is 32 meters, and the cargo compartment is 3.2 meters wide.
Features of the Mi-26
The cargo helicopter under consideration has a number of advantages and has on its account several records set even before its serial production. In 1982, the machine was able to master a cargo weighing 25 tons, lifting it to a height of four kilometers. Moreover, the entire weight of the device amounted to more than 56.5 tons. Nine world records set by pilot Irina Kopets. In addition, the crew of the helicopter rotorcraft was able to overcome a vicious circle two thousand kilometers long when passing through a strong meteorological front at a cruising speed of about 280 km / h.
The Mi-26 helicopter is capable of transporting various military equipment, the weight of which does not exceed 20 tons. The machines are loaded under their own power through the rear hatch, which has a pair of swing open sashes. In addition, the helicopter can accommodate more than 80 soldiers or 68 parachute troops. If necessary, the device is reconstructed to transport the wounded with the possibility of placing a stretcher and three accompanying medical workers. The flight range is available to increase by installing additional fuel tanks directly in the cargo compartment.
Parameters of the technical plan Mi-26
Below are the main technical characteristics of this helicopter:
- rotor / tail rotor size - 32 / 7.6 meters in diameter;
- the number of blades on the main propeller is eight pieces;
- car length - 40 meters;
- chassis (track / base) - 8.95 / 5 meters;
- weight (minimum / maximum / recommended) - 28 / 49.5 / 56 tons;
- load rating (in the cab / external suspension) - 20/20 t;
- length / width / height of the cargo compartment - 12 / 3.2 / 3.1 m;
- crew - two or six people (when controlling the external suspension);
- maximum passenger capacity - 80 people;
- power unit - a pair of turbine engines with a capacity of 11,400 horsepower each;
- speed (maximum / cruising) - 300/265 kilometers per hour;
- fuel consumption - 3.1 t / h;
- power reserve at maximum load is 475 km.
The practical ceiling of this helicopter varies within 4.6 kilometers with an average take-off weight of 49.6 tons.
Equipment
When developing the Mi-26 military cargo helicopter, the designers took into account the shortcomings and problem areas of previous models. Mostly the changes affected the air intakes. Before these elements, dust protection was installed, which makes it possible to clean the flow by seventy percent. This decision allowed to take off from dusty areas without reducing engine power.
In addition, repair sites that did not require additional equipment when servicing the machine by mechanics were transformed. The convenience of loading and unloading is provided by a pair of winches with a carrying capacity of 5,000 kilograms. It is also possible to adjust the loading ramp using a hydraulic drive, which can be controlled from the cockpit, cargo compartment or from the outside of the helicopter. The developers equipped the aircraft with a number of devices that facilitate loading from cars or directly from the ground.
The Mi-26 was made using the latest technology and technological advances. The helicopter is equipped with a meteorological radar that allows you to perform flights, regardless of weather conditions and time of day. This device is highly accurate, and it takes several minutes to set up. Also in the cockpit there is three-channel autopilot, an upgraded system for recording messages and flight data.
Total
The Mi-26 cargo helicopter is still being produced, and all thanks to its excellent characteristics and high level of security. However, the volume of production is quite modest, usually machines are made to special orders. The device is constantly being upgraded, equipped with modern devices and meets all international standards in its class.