Mi-8/17, Μi-38, Mi-26: News

Some info on Russian Chopper Development Program in AW&ST ( pg 37 ) , the Mi-171A2 program looks promising

http://www.zinio.com/reader.jsp?issue=416128272&e=true

Got the latest issue of Air International it has article on Mi-38 on PiBu

part-1
part-2

Austin I admire your posting documents; plz do share with us documents entailing something about Russian missiles..

nightcrawler wrote:Austin I admire your posting documents; plz do share with us documents entailing something about Russian missiles..

Thanks nightcrawler , I really do not have specific document on russian missiles but if i come across any I will post it for sure.

Mi-38 OP-2 video (Ria Novosti)
http://en.rian.ru/video/20110210/162539714.html

Mi-26T2 ( via Aerospace )

Mi-26T2 ( via Aerospace )

HighRes link1 link 2

Interesting indeed they have IR detection sensor in many places , I could see ahead of the dircm ball , just below the cockpit and even below the chopper and loads of chaff/flares.

Quiet interesting and shape of things to come , I hope they buy 26T2 in good numbers.

Flight Testing of Mi-26T2 Continues

ROSTVERTOL GROWTH STRATEGY
Author: Boris Slyusar

A Military Parade interview with Rostvertol Director General Boris Slyusar timed to the beginning of the HELIRUSSIA 2011 International Exhibition

What are the goal of Oboronprom Corporation's acquisition of a controlling stake in JSC Rostvertol and the role of your company in the Russian Helicopters holding, which is a 100-percent subsidiary of the Corporation?

- In December 2010, in the final stage of setting up a holding JSC Russian Helicopters acquired 1,202,973,854 Rostvertol's registered ordinary shares, increasing its stake in the authorized capital of the company from 22.76 to 75.06%.

This event completed the consolidation of the Russian helicopter industry into the Russian Helicopters holding, because up to this time Rostvertol, along with other enterprises of the group, had pursued consistent production and marketing policies, while remaining formally independent of the holding. Today, when Rostvertol is controlled by Russian Helicopters, the enterprise retains its role as a major participant of the holding, actively cooperating with other companies within the common scientific and production policy aimed at modernizing and developing the existing model lineup.

- What helicopters are currently built by Rostvertol?

- In Russian Helicopters' broad diversified lineup, our products occupy the segment of attack and heavy-lift transport helicopters, designed to meet the needs of both the RF Ministry of Defence and foreign customers. They include the Mi-26T heavy transport helicopter and its upgraded version Mi-26T2, new generation Mi-28N Night Hunter attack helicopter, and Mi-35M attack helicopter.

The Mi-26T is the world's sole helicopter capable of carrying cargo weighing up to 20 tons inside the cabin or externally. This largely explains the fact that the Mi-26T has been in production for several years, but demand for it is growing. In addition, in terms of its fire extinguishing capabilities, our helicopter is today in great demand. Rostvertol has also upgraded it. The current version of the helicopter, the Mi-26T2, differs from the baseline model in fewer crew, new up-to-date avionics, and the opportunity to use night vision goggles.

Today we also continue to manufacture attack helicopters. The legendary Mi-24 has been superseded by a new generation attack machine, the Mi-28N Night Hunter. Launching it into production was preceded by a colossal amount of work, unique in its scope and the nature of tasks completed. By now, we have organized batch production of these air combat systems under a long-term contract with the Ministry of Defence.

The Mi-35M is available not only for export. We have recently received an order from the RF Ministry of Defence for these helicopters. During an in-depth upgrade of the Mi-35 we used technologies implemented in the new generation Mi-28N Night Hunter helicopter. An important advantage of this machine is its capability to carry eight troopers to an action zone.

- Which countries are operating the Mi-26T and why is this machine in demand abroad?

- The Mi-26T really enjoys steady demand in the global market. Currently, aside from Russia and CIS countries, the major operators of this helicopter are China, India, Venezuela, and Greece. The Mi-26T is also often leased by many European, Asian and African countries.

China is among many countries that highly appraised the unique capabilities of this helicopter and close cooperation with the country has been going on for more than five years. Three Mi-26TS helicopters (certified version of the Mi-26T) have been delivered over this period, with the final machine supplied to the buyer in October 2010. Since Chinese fire-fighters and rescuers desperately needed such equipment at that time, Rostvertol had built the helicopter three months ahead of schedule. Our Chinese partners were very grateful for that.

Work done by the helicopter in the summer of 2009 in Sichuan Province, where an iron ore mine, located at the altitude of 1,500 meters, was found under rubble as a result of an earthquake, is another example of the Mi-26TS' effectiveness. The crew had to work under challenging conditions. The mine was in a narrow gorge, a kind of a stone bag. The whole operation to deliver the required cargo took two days. Over this time, the Mi-26TS delivered more than 100 tons of machinery and special equipment on an external sling system to the rescue site.

- According to media, Russian Helicopters will take part in the Sochi-2014 Project. How do you see the Rostvertol's mission in organizing and conducting the first ever Russian Winter Olympics?

- The Mi-26T has repeatedly been involved in the construction of Olympic venues in Sochi, participated in the installation of power line pylons along highways being built in the city.

In September 2010, a Rostvertol-Avia airline's Mi-26T helicopter took part in the construction of a ropeway in Sochi. Work was done on order from LLC Image-Stroy in the area of =the Solokh-Aul and Lunnaya Polyana settlements at an altitude of 1,750 m.

The construction of Olympic venues is always a complex and demanding task. Such large-scale preparation for the Winter Olympics, which is under way in our country in a very difficult terrain and requires solving the widest range of issues - is extremely complex and demanding. Such unique construction requires unique equipment, so I'm sure the capabilities of our helicopter will be used in the Olympic area more than once.

- Could you tell about the advantages of the Night Hunter over its predecessor in more detail?

- The Mi-28N is a highly efficient new generation fighting machine designed to support Land Forces at any time of day and in any weather. To do this, it has everything needed: high speed, combat survivability, a wide range of modern protection and weapon systems.

High survivability of the helicopter has been achieved through spaced arrangement of engines that protect the main gearbox and allow the helicopter to continue its mission with one of them damaged. All vital systems and units of the helicopter and its crew are protected by reliable armor able to withstand hits from 12.7mm to 23mm rounds. New materials and designs increasing the Mi-28N's resistance to combat damages were used during its development. When hit by 20-30mm projectiles, the helicopter's rotor blades made of composite materials allow it to safely complete the flight. The design of the fuel system eliminates the risk of fuel explosion or ignition. The helicopter features minimum acoustic signature for ground weapons.

A modern armaments system installed on the Mi-28N provides the capability of using onboard weapons under adverse weather conditions. A movable gun mount is equipped with a 30mm 2A42 cannon. External store racks can carry the Ataka anti-tank guided missiles, Igla air-to-air IR guided missiles, as well as the S-8 and S-13 unguided aircraft rockets.

- In late 2008, a contract was signed to supply Mi-35M helicopters to Brazil's Ministry of Defence. How is progress on its fulfillment?

- Two batches of Mi-35M helicopters (six machines) have been supplied to Brazil through Rosoboronexport. The first batch was handed over to the customer in December 2009, the second one in the autumn of 2010. Let me remind you, 12 helicopters were to be delivered under the contract. Currently, Rostvertol is working on the production and delivery the next batch of Mi-35Ms to the customer.

The helicopter was developed jointly by Rostvertol and JSC Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant (both are part of Russian Helicopters). It has embodied technologies implemented on the new generation Mi-28N. In particular, both the Mi-35M and the Night Hunter share a more powerful engine, the VK-2500, a rotor system with composite blades, and an X-shaped tail rotor, which increases the directional control efficiency and reduces the acoustic signature of the helicopter.

The undeniable advantage of the Mi-35M is its round-the-clock combat capability. It is equipped with an advanced navigation and electronic display system with multifunction color displays, a surveillance and attack system, which includes thermal imaging and TV channels, a laser rangefinder and a direction finder. Lighting equipment used in the Mi-35M has been adapted to allow the crew to use Russian- or foreign-made night vision goggles.

The installation of new systems not only reduces the workload on the crew and enables the use of guided and unguided weapons of the helicopter at any time of day, but also makes it possible to perform takeoff and landing on unprepared and unequipped sites.

The Mi-35M is available in several versions (attack, assault-transport, ambulance and transport), contributing to the effective accomplishment of various missions.

Venezuela was the first country to acquire the Mi-35M. From 2006 to 2008, ten helicopters were delivered there. According to the Venezuelans, who have gained significant experience in operating the Mi-35M to date, these machines are certainly have a number of advantages over helicopters previously used in the national army aviation.

- How do you assess the competitiveness of your products abroad today? What are the challenges facing the company and how do you plan to solve them to improve competitiveness?

- As of today, our company has a quite impressive record of export operations. We have supplied our products abroad since 1964 and today they are in operation in dozens of countries. Certainly, huge experience has been gained.

As for competition, the Mi-26T, for example, has no rivals in the world for its capacity. Its closest competitor in this parameter - Boeing Chinook helicopter - was recovered more than once with a help of our machine. In Afghanistan, the Mi-26T was used several times to transport American helicopters which were shot down by Taliban militants and made an emergency landing. Attempts of American military to carry the disabled helicopters using its helicopters had proved unsuccessful. I think that such facts speak for themselves.

In terms of its armament and crew protection, Rostvertol-built Mi-28N is not inferior to any of the helicopters, including its main competitor - the American AN-64 Apache. The Night Hunter is the only helicopter in the world having armored side glasses. It carries a modern armaments mix to effectively destroy tanks, armored vehicles, enemy manpower, protected facilities, boats and other small floating equipment, to engage low-speed and low-flying enemy aircraft. A number of efforts to develop a Mi-28N version with dual controls for Russia's MoD and foreign customers are scheduled for 2011.

- What helps Rostvertol operate more steadily in difficult economic conditions, holding strong positions not only in Russia, but in foreign military equipment markets as well?

- Once the Russian economy was allowed to free float in the early 1990s, we and our team not only tried to survive, but were also seriously engaged in developing our own strategy and positioning our products on the market. One of the strategic directions, dictated by the need to maintain a strong position, was associated with the transition from Defence order to export contracts.

Time has shown that it was the right move. We have not only remained on the military equipment market, but, most importantly, have retained highly skilled professionals, including niche specialists. Engineers and technicians, technologists, designers are extremely valuable today. The development strategy of the plant has yielded results - we have now long-term money. We are in condition to carry out an in-depth modernization of production facilities. The latest technologies, machining production lines, and sophisticated five-axis CNC machines are purchased today rather obsolete equipment is forcedly replaced. Such modernization is costly, but it drastically cuts man-hours and improves the quality of the finished products.

- How would you formulate Rostvertol's social policy?

- Special attention is paid to social policy in our company. Even in the difficult 1990s Rostvertol's management did everything possible to ensure that employees received wages promptly every month. Today, the average wage in the company is over 27,000 rubles and annually grows by 17-19%.

Rostvertol currently employs over 7000 people and every employee is provided with a full social package. We seriously subsidize complex meals, provide vouchers to sanatoriums and rest homes, pay training and skill upgrading to a large extent. The children of our employees have a rest in our camps in the Black Sea and the Don River. Our Palace of Culture is a popular place of leisure for schoolchildren and young people around the city.

Substantial support is provided to Vocational School No. 8 on a permanent basis, stipends are paid to its students, and recently a full-fledged production base was established at the plant, where turners, millers, and mechanics undergo practical training.

An Aircraft Manufacturing Department was set up with our participation in Don State Technical University. Ten to fifteen graduates from this department come to us every year to get a job.

Another priority we are proud of is providing our employees and their families with housing. Every year we build and put in commission one house. Thus, a 70-apartment house was built for young professionals, which we are very interested in.

Compare the old and new cockpit of Mi-26T and Mi-26T-2

Mi-26T
versus
Mi-26T2

Thanks Garry , I have changed the pictures of Mi-26T cockpit

Austin wrote:Compare the old and new cockpit of Mi-26T and Mi-26T-2

Mi-26T
versus
Mi-26T2

...& people told me Russians are rough at electronics..Thanks for the rebuttal Austin

Austin wrote:Compare the old and new cockpit of Mi-26T and Mi-26T-2

Mi-26T
versus
Mi-26T2

I dont understand why they changed to black colour instead of teal colour. I believe it was there because it helped in stressful environments. I think latest su-34 still have it.

Garry check the helirussia report if you have not done that already

HelliRussia - Pitor Butowski

HelliRussia-1
HelliRussia-2
HelliRussia-3
HelliRussia-4

High Res Download --> http://www.4shared.com/file/zO1mZw5I/hellirussia.html

Russian Helicopter Industry: Up and Away
Mikhail Barabanov ( MDB )

The Russian helicopter industry is in rude health, contrasting sharply with many other defense industry branches and the languishing civilian aircraft makers.

Many defense companies are still undergoing painful restructuring, and only seven civilian aircraft were delivered in 2010. Meanwhile, helicopter output hit a 15-year high in 2010. The JSC Vertolety Rossii (Russian Helicopters) holding company, formed as part of the Oboronprom corporation in 2006, delivered 214 helicopters of all types – three times the 2003 figure and a 150 per cent increase on 2006 (see Table 1). The company’s revenues reached U$ 2.2 bn, a 110 per cent rise on 2006. Its margins remain at a healthy 10-12 per cent.

Most of that growth had resulted from the long-awaited launch of mass production of new helicopter models for the MoD, as well as strong exports.

Vertolety Rossii owns the two leading Russian helicopter design bureaus (Mil and Kamov), the five biggest helicopter plants (in Kazan, Ulan-Ude, Rostov-on-Don, Arsenyev and Kumertau) and manufacturers of key components. The only independent Russian helicopter maker is Strela in Orenburg, which makes small numbers of the Ka-226 light helicopters.

In an effort to leverage all that growth, Vertolety Rossii had planned an IPO on the London and Moscow stock exchanges in 2011, hoping to attract some 500m dollars. The money was to be used to pay off debts and to finance the compulsory buy-out of the minority stakes in its subsidiaries still owned by other investors. But in May those plans were postponed indefinitely as the share offer was undersubscribed. Potential investors are wary since the company, which began operations as a single entity only as recently as 2007, is still very young. There is also a certain amount of caution about the future of the Russian aerospace industry as a whole.

Vertolety Rossii is clearly one of the most successful of the Russian defense industry corporations created over the past decade. But it has fallen foul of the general reputation of the Russian aerospace sector, which still requires serious reforms. Nevertheless, the company is one of the first Russian industrial groups to have begun reaping substantial dividends from the rapidly growing MoD spending and the ambitious new weapons procurement programs.

Russian MoD procurement

After almost a quarter of a century of testing and polishing, the new-generation Mi-28 and Ka-50/52 attack helicopters have finally begun to arrive en mass to the Russian armed forces. The scale of the Mi-28N production program is unprecedented for post-Soviet Russia. Essentially, this is the first new mass-produced Russian military helicopter since the 1980s. In 2005 the MoD signed a nine-year contract for 67 Mi-28N helicopters; 38 were made at the Rostvertol plant in Rostov-on-Don in the five years to 2010, including 15 helicopters in 2010 alone. In 2009 first deliveries of the Mi-28N were made to combat troops stationed in the North Caucasus. In the autumn of 2010 the MoD signed another contract for an additional 30 helicopters to be delivered by 2015, for a total of 97. This means that the production levels achieved in 2010 are set to remain unchanged or even increase. It is safe to expect that Rostvertol will be delivering 14-15 helicopters every year in 2011-2014. Meanwhile, the new 2011-2020 State Armament Program (GPV-2020) has set the target for Mi-28N procurement at 260 helicopters, so production is set to increase after 2014, once new contracts have been signed.

In 2010 the Progress company based in Arsenyev delivered the first four mass-produced Ka-52 helicopters to the Russian Air Force. Five pre-production helicopters and prototypes were made in 2008-2009. The four helicopters delivered in 2010 were built under a 2009 MoD contract for 36 helicopters. The target for 2011 is for Progress to deliver another 10 helicopters, and maintain that level in 2012-2013. The MoD is expected to buy a total of 120 Ka 52 helicopters under the GPV-2020 program. A modified Ka-52 version and a separate naval version are now in development; up to 30 naval helicopters could be made for the Russian Navy.

In 2009-2010 the Kazan helicopter plant delivered the first 10 Ansat-U light training helicopters to the Russian Air Force. Finally, production of the Mi-8 transports, the workhorse of the Russian Army Aviation, resumed in 2008 after a long pause at the plants in Kazan and Ulan-Ude. The modifications now in production are the Mi-8MTV and Mi-8AMTSh. Hundreds are expected to be delivered in the coming years, including more than 50 in 2011.

Several other models will enter mass production in 2011, including the new Mi-35M attack helicopters, the Ka-226 light helicopters, and the Ka-31 AEW naval helicopters. The first six of the 22 Mi-35M helicopters under a 2009 contract will be delivered by Rostvertol in 2011. The Ka-31 (which was previously made only for exports) and the Ka-226 will be made in Kumertau. Also in 2011 Rostvertol is expected to resume production of the Mi-26 heavy military transports.

In 2009 the MoD took delivery of 33 military helicopters from the Russian defense industry. In 2010 the figure was 37, with a sharp rise to 109 expected in 2011, according to official statements (see Table 2).

Table 1. Deliveries by Vertolety Rossii subsidiaries in 2003-2012

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012(projection)

Helicopters
delivered 72 75 83 94 104 169 183 214 260 300

Table 2. Helicopter deliveries to the Russian MoD in 2009-2011

Model 2009 2010 2011
(projection)
Ansat-U 6 4 6
Ka-52 3 4 10
Mi-8 12 14 60
Mi-28N 12 15 15
Total 33 37 109

The growth reflects the beginning of deliveries under the GPV-2020 program. So far, there have been no problems with the program’s financing. Procurement of new helicopters is one of the top priorities of the program, which fully reflects global military trends. About a thousand helicopters should be delivered to the Russian Air Force by 2020, including 400 in 2011-2015. An additional 100 helicopters will be delivered by 2020 to the Russian Navy. The GPV-2020 also includes mass production of heavily modified versions of the existing helicopters, such as the Mi-28N (the Mi-28MN modification should be launched in 2015) and the Ka-52 attack helicopters, the naval Ka-27M and Ka-29M versions and a carrier-based version of the Ka-52. There are also plans to launch production of the multirole Ka-60 helicopter and the Mi-383 transport.

Vertolety Rossii already has preliminary commitments from the MoD for at least 100 military helicopters by 2012. Negotiations between the two on long-term contracts for delivery by 2018 are nearly completed. Several were signed in the first half of 2011. It has been reported that contracts for 100 new Ka-60 helicopters for the Army Aviation’s special task forces, for delivery by 2020, and a number of other deals are also in the pipeline.

The estimate of deliveries for the Russian Air Force in 2011-2020 includes 220 Mi-28N helicopters, 120 Ka-52, 40 Mi-35M, 26 Mi-26, 100 Ka-60 and 30 Ka-226 helicopters, up to 70 Ansat and up to 500 Mi-8 helicopters. Deliveries for the Russian Navy over the same period are expected to include 70 Ka-27M and Ka-29M helicopters, up to 30 Ka-52 and up to 20 Ka-226 units, plus a certain number of the Ka-31.

Exports

Exports, the second pillar underpinning the rapid growth of the Russian helicopter industry, still outstripped domestic deliveries in 2010. The situation is expected to change in 2011, once the large MoD contracts start to take effect. Nevertheless, Russian helicopter exports have also shown very respectable growth in recent years. In 2010 deliveries on export contracts were up 30 per cent, thanks largely to the continuing popularity of the industry’s best-selling Mi-8/Mi-17 series.

These powerful heavy-lifters are relatively cheap and easy to maintain, and still have a large military and civilian market in many parts of the globe. In recent years sales were boosted by the military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Mi-8/Mi-17 series has earned itself an excellent reputation during operations in these two countries. As a result, the Mi-17 has been chosen as the core model for the fairly large Iraqi and Afghan air forces, which are now being restored to their former strength. The Afghan deliveries are financed by the Pentagon, which signed a contract for 21 Mi-17 units in early 2011. India has signed two large contracts for a total of 139 Mi-17s. China also remains a large customer. The Mi-17 is also entering new markets; contracts have recently been signed with Argentina, Bolivia, Thailand and Kenya.

Meanwhile, the venerable Mi-24/Mi-35 is having something of a renaissance on the world markets. Exports of the newly built Mi-35P and Mi-35M attack helicopters are on the rise. Brazil has bought 12; Azerbaijan signed a contract for 24 in 2010. Total exports could well reach 100 units. Russia has also begun to offer the Mi-28N and the Ka-52 to foreign customers. The first export contract for 12 Mi-28N helicopters was announced in early 2011. The buyer has not been named, but it may be Kazakhstan.

Russia also continues to export the Mi-26T, the world’s heaviest transport helicopter, and commercial modifications of the Ka-32. The industry is making Ka-28 ASW and the Ka 31 AEW naval helicopters for India and China. It is hoped that the Ka-226 and the Ansat light helicopters will also attract foreign buyers.

Prospects

In an effort to keep the Russian helicopter industry competitive Vertolety Rossii has stepped up the development of new models and upgrade options. Its R&D program until 2020-2025 enjoys generous government support. In April the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office a draft of the state program for the Russian aerospace industry. The program includes the development of new helicopters, and sets an ambitions target for the wider industry to win 10 per cent of the world market in the civilian sector by 2025. The target for the defense sector is 14 per cent, and 15 per cent for the helicopter industry (the current figure is estimated by the ministry at 13 per cent). Some 5 trillion roubles (U$1.8bn) will be invested by the government into the aerospace sector by 2020 if the program is approved, a tenfold rise on the previous decade.

In the civilian segment Vertolety Rossii aims to launch by 2015 a deeply upgraded version of the Mi-17 helicopter (designated as the Mi-171M), a version of the Ka-226 helicopter fitted with French engines (Ka-226T), an upgraded version of the Mi-34 light helicopter with a turbine engine replacing the old piston engine (Mi-34S2), the new Ka-62 helicopter (a civilian version of the Ka-60) and the new Mi 38. The Ka-62 and the Mi-38 have already entered the trials program. There are also plans to launch the assembly of the AgustaWestland AW139 medium helicopter in Russia.

By 2020 the company is planning to develop and launch mass production of three new commercial models: the AHL heavy transport (based on the Mi-46 design), a medium helicopter weighting up to 4.5 tonnes (based on the Mi-54 design) and a light helicopter weighing under 2.5 tonnes.

In the military segment, by 2015 Vertolety Rossii will launch production of the modified versions of the Mi-28N (designated as Mi-28MN) and the Ka-52 attack helicopters; a carrier-based version of the Ka-52; revamped Ka-27M and Ka-29M naval helicopters; and the new Ka-60 multirole helicopter. By 2020 the company wants to develop and test the new Ka-65 future naval helicopter (with coaxial rotors); a deep upgrade of the Mi-26 heavy transport (designated as the Mi-26M); the Mi-383 transport (military version of the Mi-38); and an unmanned helicopter system.

A special priority is the program to develop a radically new advanced high-speed helicopter (Perspektivnyi Skorostnoi Vertolyot – PSV project) with a pusher-type propeller. Vertolety Rossii itself says the design will be a “breakthrough”. Similar designs are now being developed in the United States (the experimental X2 and the S-97 attack helicopter design by Sikorsky) and in Europe (the experimental X3 and the X4 design by Eurocopter). In Russia this new technology is viewed as a chance to achieve a major breakthrough in the helicopter industry. Early designs have already been proposed by both Mil (Mi-X1) and Kamov (Ka-92). One of them will be chosen by Vertolety Rossii for further development later in 2011. The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade is expected to finance work on the early designs to the tune of 400m roubles (U$14m) this year. Later on spending on the program will be ramped up to about 4bn roubles (U$140m) over the next three years.

The PSV program envisages two types of commercial high-speed helicopters to be developed by 2020 (a medium and a light version), as well as a high-speed attack helicopter (“assault helicopter system” or “fifth-generation attack helicopter”).

There are doubts about the feasibility of some of Vertolety Rossii’s projects. The market for models such as the Ka-60/62, Mi-38 or Mi-34S2 may be far too small, so their commercial success is uncertain. The future light and medium helicopter projects also seem very difficult to pull off. The AHL heavy transport project may prove too costly, unless foreign partners are brought in. But the PSV project, which the company regards as one of its top priorities, looks quite promising.

The helicopter industry is one of the few Russian industries that are truly competitive internationally. Vertolety Rossii seems in a good position to retain its competitive edge thanks to its large sales and generous government support. Delivering the 2010 annual report to the Russian Duma, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said that government financing of the Russian aerospace industry in 2009-2011 was over 270bn roubles (U$9bn), and that this financing had “facilitated progress in all the areas on which the future of our civilian and military aerospace industry depends”.

Compiled by CAST

Mi-26TZ successfully tested during recent exercise, where it refueled various armoured vehicles on the march...this was the first such exercise in the post Soviet period




http://www.aex.ru/news/2011/9/16/88402/

- Work on the Mi-26TZ started back in 1988
- First flight of serial machine in 1996
- It can carry 14000 lt of fuel + 1000 lt of lubricants.

In the past, the Soviet Army used the Mi-6 in the same role

Mi-6TZ in East Germany



interesting old footage showing tank being refueled from a helicopter (start of video)

It would be cheaper to put a fuel bladder on a 463L pallet and push it out of the back of a C-130 low on the deck near the tanks. If your Team is good you don't even need parachutes on it.


A Helicopter flying fuel tank is just about the poorest battle field planning you could come up with. How fast would that chopper get out there? How fast would it take it to get back to a fueling spot?

I guess if they plan on all their air bases being blown away..it might be handy. But by then Russia wouldn't have control of its airspace and the pilot of that chopper would be flying a suicide mission.


I think it'll be worthless on the battlefield. Even if Russia pushed forth halfway across America with their Tanks, they wouldn't need that chopper. There'd be enough civilian trucks to commandeer to run fuel. Incognito. Free.

What's the purpose of this chopper again?