The ingenuity of Soviet engineers was second to none. Some achievements and developments of the past years are still actively used by the current generation. Moreover, the matter concerns not only scientific achievements, but also projects of land, water and even air transport.
The latest multi-purpose helicopter Mi-171, which Russian scientists are so proud of, is only a modification of the world's most popular twin-engine helicopter Mi-8, developed in the USSR.
So different and similar at the same time
The Mi-171 helicopter was developed at a plant in the city of Ulan-Ude with the direct support of the Mily experimental design bureau located in Moscow.
The Mi-8AMT helicopter was taken as the basis. The main differences between the two models are that the Mi-171 model has significantly better flight characteristics. It is capable of flying under difficult weather conditions. Due to the new and more powerful equipment, the Mi-171 can rise higher and has a greater carrying capacity.
A series of military helicopters Mi-171Sh was developed and adopted for service in 2009. It is designed to destroy air, surface and ground targets, as well as for landing and transportation of military equipment.
Today, the Mi-171 is known as a transport, military transport and civilian helicopter, which is recognized as one of the leading in the world. Only military modifications are available in 23 countries. But before becoming one, the helicopter has come a long way.
History
We can say that development began in 1977 at a factory in Kazan. It was here that the Mi-8 helicopter was subjected to significant changes. So there was Mi-8AMT. The fuselage of the car was most noticeably transformed - it was made much longer to increase the cargo area (now it could accommodate 29 landing personnel in full gear). Cabin equipment has also undergone significant changes (Mi-171 is radically different from its progenitor). But practice has shown that such a transformation did not benefit the helicopter - the elongated fuselage created great vibrations. To solve this problem, in 1985 a new power plant was developed and introduced.
Modification of the machine lasted another two years. During this time, qualitative changes were made to the design, which allowed the helicopter to move in a horizontal plane at an altitude of 6 thousand meters, land at altitudes of up to 4 km, as well as make longer flights and climb faster. The development was finally completed in 1991. It was then that the Mi-171, the helicopter of the new time, was born.
Specifications
The most obvious difference between the new machine and previous copies is the more modern design of the airframe, as well as the presence of an additional door on the right side. In addition, the area of the left side entrance has been increased. Modernization of the doors allowed the soldiers to leave the helicopter in just 15 seconds.
Today, the Mi-171 includes a modernized carrier system and transmission, a flight-navigation system, modern avionics, introduced into the design. In 1999, the helicopter received a certificate of the type of US standard, which indicates its high efficiency and reliability.
Civilian model
The helicopter in question is one of the most successful developments of the Mil School of Design. Airlines operating the Mi-171, note the versatility, ease of operation and maintenance, high reliability of the model. The rotorcraft is supplied to the aircraft market in several versions:
- freight - a standard type of equipment designed for the transport of goods weighing up to 4 tons inside the cargo compartment or on an external sling;
- passenger is used to transport passengers in the amount of 26 people, equipped with emergency exits, climate control system, noise and vibration isolation;
- The VIP model is used to transport passengers in high comfort conditions for up to 14 people, the helicopter can be equipped with entertainment facilities, satellite Internet and other systems;
- search and rescue is equipped with special equipment (winches, searchlights, radar systems), allows you to search and evacuate people in any weather conditions;
- a firefighter is used to eliminate fires with the help of a spillway device on the external sling, as well as to deliver equipment to the area of concentration of fire.
The high flight performance of the Mi-171 helicopter, the possibility of its use in various weather conditions and in a wide temperature range made it one of the best in the world.
Civil Modifications
The scope of the Mi-171 helicopter is constantly expanding due to the introduction of new developments and constant modernization. In view of this, it is impossible to name and describe all existing civilian models.
The main modifications of the helicopter are:
- Mi-8MTV-1 - a helicopter with engines of the TV3-117VM series, with implemented emergency automation, with a capacity of 2000 liters. with., which is maintained to an altitude of 3.6 km above sea level. The dynamic ceiling of the machine is 6 thousand meters; it has been mass-produced since 1988.
- Mi-171A1 is a modified Mi-171 helicopter, the characteristics of which correspond to the US airworthiness standards.
- Mi-172 is a model that was developed on the basis of Mi-8MTV-1; since the beginning of 2017, it is the only rotorcraft in Russia adapted for the commercial transportation of passengers.
The civilian version of the Mi-171 first flew in 1992 and was supposed to be available only for export to other countries. Now it is actively used in Russia.
Military model
The Mi-171Sh combat vehicle is a new generation rotary-wing aircraft that incorporates all the advanced developments of the military-defense complex. It is designed for landing (up to 16 people), transporting goods and military equipment weighing up to 4 tons in the transport compartment or on the external sling, can be used to transport up to 12 wounded on a stretcher.
The armor of the Mi-171Sh is plate. If necessary, it can be removed and increased maximum load capacity. To protect against guided missiles, the helicopter is equipped with an EVU mechanism that screens the exhaust. In addition, the machine is equipped with an automatic reset reflector system. All this significantly increases the combat survivability of the apparatus.
Military modifications
The armament of the helicopter allows it to destroy both stationary and moving targets on the ground, in water and air. Currently, there are two main modifications of the helicopter:
- Mi-8AMTSh-V is distinguished by new gas turbine units of the Klimov series, as well as the presence of auxiliary engines of the TA-14 type and a set of updated avionics.
- Mi-8AMTSH-VA - a modification intended for flights in the Far North, is characterized by resistance to ultra-low temperatures, an updated set of navigation instruments that allows you to fly in low visibility conditions.
Some Mi-171 military helicopters have an extended door on the starboard side, a ramp on an electro-hydraulic drive for quick landing.
Further development
The helicopter is constantly being improved. The newest and most modern development is the Mi-171A2, which entered mass production in 2014. It was first presented at the HeliExpo-2012 international exhibition in the USA.
The machine has an improved power plant and transmission, a modified avionics kit, a new operation and maintenance system. Such innovations have determined its widespread prevalence. That is why the manual on the Mi-171 helicopter is in the public domain.