The legendary helicopter Mi-8 celebrates its 50 anniversary
Exactly 50 years ago, on August 2, 1962, the first prototype of the Mi-8 multi-purpose helicopter took off for the first time. Mi-8 (according to the NATO classification Hip) is a Soviet and Russian multi-purpose helicopter created by the Design Bureau of M. L. Mil in the early 60s of the last century. Currently, it is the most massive twin-engine helicopter in the world, and is also one of the most massive helicopters in the world. stories aviation. Widely used to solve a large number of civil and military tasks. The helicopter has been in service with the Soviet Air Force since 1967 and proved to be such a successful type of equipment that its purchases for the Russian Air Force continue to this day. At the same time, the Mi-8 helicopter is operated in more than 50 countries of the world, including such states as China, India and Iran.
Over its half-century history of serial production and design work to improve this helicopter, Soviet and Russian designers have created about 130 different modifications, more than 13 machines of this type have been produced. Today these are Mi-000MTV-8, MTV-1, MTV-2, Mi-5AMTSh, Mi-8, Mi-171 helicopters. In 172, the Mi-2012 is not just a hero of the day - it is a first-class multifunctional helicopter, which today is one of the most successful products of the domestic helicopter industry. Even after 8 years, the car is in demand all over the world and is purchased even by NATO member states. From 50 to 2006, 2008 Mi-26Sh military transport helicopters were delivered to the Czech Republic and Croatia.
To date, the plants for the production of Mi-8/17 JSC "Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant" and JSC "Kazan Helicopter Plant", which are part of the holding company "Helicopters of Russia" are operating stably and are loaded with orders for the production of these helicopters for 2 years in advance. At the same time, work on the modernization of this machine is continuously ongoing. OAO Moscow Helicopter Plant named after M.L. Mile is currently assembling the first prototype of the upgraded version of the Mi-171A2 helicopter, and the technical design of this helicopter has also been determined. The helicopter was created on the basis of the Mi-171 helicopter and should become a worthy development option for the entire family of Mi-8 helicopters.
It is planned that these helicopters will receive new avionics, and composite materials will be used in the design of the machine, which will make the helicopter much lighter. In addition to this modernization, all the main units and systems of the machine were upgraded, its flight and technical characteristics were improved. In total, modernization provides for about 80 innovations. At the same time, the helicopter crew will be reduced to 2 people, which will significantly affect its economic efficiency.
Throughout its history, Mi-8 family helicopters have taken part in a large number of local conflicts, they have saved thousands of human lives, withstood severe Siberian frosts, catastrophic heat and sudden temperature changes, desert dust and tropical downpours. Mi-8s flew at extremely low altitudes and high in the mountains, were based outside the airfield network and landed in hard-to-reach places with minimal maintenance, each time proving their high reliability and efficiency. Created in the middle of the last century, the Mi-8 multi-purpose helicopter is still one of the most in demand in its class today and will be in demand on the Russian and world aviation markets for many years to come. Over the long years of production, the Mi-8 has become the basis for many unique developments, for example, the Mi-14 "amphibious helicopter".
The design of the Mi-8
The Mi-8 helicopter was made according to a single-rotor scheme with a tail rotor, tricycle landing gear and two gas turbine engines. The fuselage of the machine has a frame structure and consists of the nose, central, tail and end beams. In the nose of the helicopter there is a cockpit for three people: two pilots and a flight engineer. The cockpit glazing provides the helicopter crew with a good overview, the right and left blisters are movable and equipped with emergency drop mechanisms.
In the central part of the fuselage was a cabin measuring 5.34 x 2.25 x 1.8 meters. In the transport version, it had a cargo hatch with doors that increased its length to 7,82 m. And a central sliding door the size of 0,62 by 1,4 meter, which had an emergency drop mechanism. There was an electric winch and mooring knots on the floor of the cargo compartment, and an electric winch boom was mounted above the door itself. The helicopter's cargo cabin was designed for transporting loads weighing up to 4 tons and was equipped with folding seats, which could accommodate 24 passengers, there were also attachment points for 12 stretchers. At the request of the customer, an external load suspension system can be installed on the helicopter: articulated-pendulum for 2500 kg. and cable for 3000 kg., as well as a winch with a load capacity of 150 kg.
In the passenger version of the helicopter, the cabin measured 6.36 x 2.05 x 1.7 meters and was equipped with 28 seats, which were placed in the 2 row on each side with 0.74 spacing meters and 0.3 passage m. the doors were made under the rear entrance door, which consisted of a ladder and doors.
The tail boom of the helicopter had a riveted structure of the beam-stringer type and was equipped with a working skin. It was supplied with knots for fastening of a tail support and a controlled stabilizer. The helicopter was equipped with a stabilizer of 2.7 size m. And an area of 2m2 with the profile of NACA 0012, its design was single-spar.
The landing gear of the helicopter was tricycle, non-retractable. The front landing gear was self-orienting and consisted of 2 wheels measuring 535 x 185 mm. The main bearings of the uniform type helicopter were equipped with liquid-gas two-chamber shock absorbers and wheels measuring 865 x 280 mm. The helicopter also had a tailwheel, which served to prevent the tail rotor from touching the ground. The support consisted of a shock absorber, 2 struts and a support heel. The chassis track was 4,5 meters, the chassis base was 4,26 meters.
The power plant of the helicopter included 2 turboshaft gas turbine engines with a free turbine TV2-117AT manufactured by the St. V.Ya.Klimova. On Mi-8T helicopters, its power was 1250 kW, on Mi-8MT, AMT and MTB, a TVZ-117MT turbine with a capacity of 1435 kW was installed. Gas turbine engines were mounted on top of the fuselage and covered with a common hood with opening doors. The helicopter engines were equipped with dust protection devices, their weight was 330 kg.
The fuel system included a fuel tank with a capacity of 445 liters, a right hanging tank with a capacity of 680 or 1030 liters, a left hanging tank with a capacity of 745 or 1140 liters, and an additional tank in the cargo compartment with a capacity of 915 liters. The transmission of the helicopter consisted of 3 gearboxes: main, intermediate and tail, main rotor and brake shafts. The main gearbox of the helicopter transfers power from the engines, which have an output shaft speed of 12 rpm, to the main rotor at a speed of 000 rpm, as well as the tail rotor at a speed of 192 rpm and the fan - 1 rpm /min, which serves to cool the main gearbox and engine oil coolers. The total weight of the helicopter oil system is 124 kg.
The control of the helicopter was duplicated, with cable and hard wiring, as well as hydraulic boosters, which were driven from the backup and main hydraulic systems. The existing four-channel autopilot AP-34B provided the helicopter with stabilization in flight in heading, roll, altitude and pitch. The main hydraulic system of the helicopter ensured the operation of all hydraulic units, the pressure in the system was 4,5 MPa, the backup system provided only the operation of hydraulic boosters, the pressure in it was 6,5 MPa.
The Mi-8 helicopter was equipped with a ventilation and heating system that supplied cold and heated air to the passengers and crew cabins. Also, the helicopter had an anti-icing system that protected the steering and propeller blades, as well as the air intakes of the engines and the front windows of the crew cabin from icing. Equipment for instrument flights in adverse weather conditions, as well as at night, included artificial horizon, a combined course system, a radio altimeter, an automatic radio compass, and an 2 rotor speed indicator.
Mi-8AMTSH
Currently, the Russian Armed Forces continue to purchase Mi-8 helicopters. As part of the state defense order, until 2020, Mi-8AMTSh vehicles should be delivered to the troops. Mi-8AMTSh is an attack military transport helicopter (export designation Mi-171Sh). The helicopter is designed to fight against armored ground, surface, mobile and stationary small targets, to destroy enemy manpower, transport troops, cargo, wounded, as well as perform search and rescue operations. The helicopter was developed at the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant in close cooperation with JSC MVZ im. M.L. Mile.
To solve combat missions, the helicopter can be equipped with a missile and small arms and cannon armament system, as well as a set of means of protection against damage, sanitary and airborne transport equipment, as well as instrumentation and electronic equipment, which allows the helicopter to fly at any time of the day, including and in difficult weather conditions. At the same time, the conversion of the Mi-8AMTSh helicopter from a combat version to an ambulance or airborne transport version does not require much time and can be carried out directly during the preparation for the flight to perform the corresponding task.
To increase the combat survivability of the vehicle, this helicopter is equipped with an ASO-2B automatic deflector-discharge device, an EVA screen-exhaust device, a set of removable armor plates that cover the crew, protected by hanging fuel tanks, as well as fuel tanks with polyurethane foam filler.
The crew of the car includes:
- the commander - the left pilot, is engaged in piloting the helicopter, carries out aiming and use of unguided weapons; when launching guided missiles, it performs a “shooting” mode.
- the second pilot, is engaged in piloting a helicopter to help the commander of the crew; performs the functions of the operator of the "Sturm-V" complex when searching for targets, launching and targeting guided missiles, and also performs the duties of a navigator.
- the flight mechanic, in addition to performing his full-time functions, also performs the functions of the stern and bow machine-gunners.
The main distinguishing feature of the Mi-8AMTSH helicopters was the inclusion of modern Shturm-V ATGMs and Igla-V air-to-air missiles into their armament. The complex of high-precision guided missiles "Shturm" makes it possible to effectively hit armored vehicles, including those equipped with dynamic protection, low-speed air targets, manpower and enemy fortified points. In terms of the range of possible weapons, the MI-8AMTSh came close to the Mi-24 attack helicopter, while having a greater variability of use.
Information sources:
- http://www.vertolet-media.ru/helicopters/mvz/mi-8amtsh/
- http://www.armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2012/0731/150014112/detail.shtml
- http://www.aviastar.org/helicopters_rus/mi-8-r.html
- http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9C%D0%B8-8
Over its half-century history of serial production and design work to improve this helicopter, Soviet and Russian designers have created about 130 different modifications, more than 13 machines of this type have been produced. Today these are Mi-000MTV-8, MTV-1, MTV-2, Mi-5AMTSh, Mi-8, Mi-171 helicopters. In 172, the Mi-2012 is not just a hero of the day - it is a first-class multifunctional helicopter, which today is one of the most successful products of the domestic helicopter industry. Even after 8 years, the car is in demand all over the world and is purchased even by NATO member states. From 50 to 2006, 2008 Mi-26Sh military transport helicopters were delivered to the Czech Republic and Croatia.
To date, the plants for the production of Mi-8/17 JSC "Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant" and JSC "Kazan Helicopter Plant", which are part of the holding company "Helicopters of Russia" are operating stably and are loaded with orders for the production of these helicopters for 2 years in advance. At the same time, work on the modernization of this machine is continuously ongoing. OAO Moscow Helicopter Plant named after M.L. Mile is currently assembling the first prototype of the upgraded version of the Mi-171A2 helicopter, and the technical design of this helicopter has also been determined. The helicopter was created on the basis of the Mi-171 helicopter and should become a worthy development option for the entire family of Mi-8 helicopters.
Mi-8P passenger
It is planned that these helicopters will receive new avionics, and composite materials will be used in the design of the machine, which will make the helicopter much lighter. In addition to this modernization, all the main units and systems of the machine were upgraded, its flight and technical characteristics were improved. In total, modernization provides for about 80 innovations. At the same time, the helicopter crew will be reduced to 2 people, which will significantly affect its economic efficiency.
Throughout its history, Mi-8 family helicopters have taken part in a large number of local conflicts, they have saved thousands of human lives, withstood severe Siberian frosts, catastrophic heat and sudden temperature changes, desert dust and tropical downpours. Mi-8s flew at extremely low altitudes and high in the mountains, were based outside the airfield network and landed in hard-to-reach places with minimal maintenance, each time proving their high reliability and efficiency. Created in the middle of the last century, the Mi-8 multi-purpose helicopter is still one of the most in demand in its class today and will be in demand on the Russian and world aviation markets for many years to come. Over the long years of production, the Mi-8 has become the basis for many unique developments, for example, the Mi-14 "amphibious helicopter".
The design of the Mi-8
The Mi-8 helicopter was made according to a single-rotor scheme with a tail rotor, tricycle landing gear and two gas turbine engines. The fuselage of the machine has a frame structure and consists of the nose, central, tail and end beams. In the nose of the helicopter there is a cockpit for three people: two pilots and a flight engineer. The cockpit glazing provides the helicopter crew with a good overview, the right and left blisters are movable and equipped with emergency drop mechanisms.
In the central part of the fuselage was a cabin measuring 5.34 x 2.25 x 1.8 meters. In the transport version, it had a cargo hatch with doors that increased its length to 7,82 m. And a central sliding door the size of 0,62 by 1,4 meter, which had an emergency drop mechanism. There was an electric winch and mooring knots on the floor of the cargo compartment, and an electric winch boom was mounted above the door itself. The helicopter's cargo cabin was designed for transporting loads weighing up to 4 tons and was equipped with folding seats, which could accommodate 24 passengers, there were also attachment points for 12 stretchers. At the request of the customer, an external load suspension system can be installed on the helicopter: articulated-pendulum for 2500 kg. and cable for 3000 kg., as well as a winch with a load capacity of 150 kg.
In the passenger version of the helicopter, the cabin measured 6.36 x 2.05 x 1.7 meters and was equipped with 28 seats, which were placed in the 2 row on each side with 0.74 spacing meters and 0.3 passage m. the doors were made under the rear entrance door, which consisted of a ladder and doors.
The tail boom of the helicopter had a riveted structure of the beam-stringer type and was equipped with a working skin. It was supplied with knots for fastening of a tail support and a controlled stabilizer. The helicopter was equipped with a stabilizer of 2.7 size m. And an area of 2m2 with the profile of NACA 0012, its design was single-spar.
The landing gear of the helicopter was tricycle, non-retractable. The front landing gear was self-orienting and consisted of 2 wheels measuring 535 x 185 mm. The main bearings of the uniform type helicopter were equipped with liquid-gas two-chamber shock absorbers and wheels measuring 865 x 280 mm. The helicopter also had a tailwheel, which served to prevent the tail rotor from touching the ground. The support consisted of a shock absorber, 2 struts and a support heel. The chassis track was 4,5 meters, the chassis base was 4,26 meters.
Mi-8T Serbian Air Force
The power plant of the helicopter included 2 turboshaft gas turbine engines with a free turbine TV2-117AT manufactured by the St. V.Ya.Klimova. On Mi-8T helicopters, its power was 1250 kW, on Mi-8MT, AMT and MTB, a TVZ-117MT turbine with a capacity of 1435 kW was installed. Gas turbine engines were mounted on top of the fuselage and covered with a common hood with opening doors. The helicopter engines were equipped with dust protection devices, their weight was 330 kg.
The fuel system included a fuel tank with a capacity of 445 liters, a right hanging tank with a capacity of 680 or 1030 liters, a left hanging tank with a capacity of 745 or 1140 liters, and an additional tank in the cargo compartment with a capacity of 915 liters. The transmission of the helicopter consisted of 3 gearboxes: main, intermediate and tail, main rotor and brake shafts. The main gearbox of the helicopter transfers power from the engines, which have an output shaft speed of 12 rpm, to the main rotor at a speed of 000 rpm, as well as the tail rotor at a speed of 192 rpm and the fan - 1 rpm /min, which serves to cool the main gearbox and engine oil coolers. The total weight of the helicopter oil system is 124 kg.
The control of the helicopter was duplicated, with cable and hard wiring, as well as hydraulic boosters, which were driven from the backup and main hydraulic systems. The existing four-channel autopilot AP-34B provided the helicopter with stabilization in flight in heading, roll, altitude and pitch. The main hydraulic system of the helicopter ensured the operation of all hydraulic units, the pressure in the system was 4,5 MPa, the backup system provided only the operation of hydraulic boosters, the pressure in it was 6,5 MPa.
The Mi-8 helicopter was equipped with a ventilation and heating system that supplied cold and heated air to the passengers and crew cabins. Also, the helicopter had an anti-icing system that protected the steering and propeller blades, as well as the air intakes of the engines and the front windows of the crew cabin from icing. Equipment for instrument flights in adverse weather conditions, as well as at night, included artificial horizon, a combined course system, a radio altimeter, an automatic radio compass, and an 2 rotor speed indicator.
Mi-8AMTSH
Currently, the Russian Armed Forces continue to purchase Mi-8 helicopters. As part of the state defense order, until 2020, Mi-8AMTSh vehicles should be delivered to the troops. Mi-8AMTSh is an attack military transport helicopter (export designation Mi-171Sh). The helicopter is designed to fight against armored ground, surface, mobile and stationary small targets, to destroy enemy manpower, transport troops, cargo, wounded, as well as perform search and rescue operations. The helicopter was developed at the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant in close cooperation with JSC MVZ im. M.L. Mile.
To solve combat missions, the helicopter can be equipped with a missile and small arms and cannon armament system, as well as a set of means of protection against damage, sanitary and airborne transport equipment, as well as instrumentation and electronic equipment, which allows the helicopter to fly at any time of the day, including and in difficult weather conditions. At the same time, the conversion of the Mi-8AMTSh helicopter from a combat version to an ambulance or airborne transport version does not require much time and can be carried out directly during the preparation for the flight to perform the corresponding task.
Mi-8AMTSH (export version of the Mi-171Sh)
To increase the combat survivability of the vehicle, this helicopter is equipped with an ASO-2B automatic deflector-discharge device, an EVA screen-exhaust device, a set of removable armor plates that cover the crew, protected by hanging fuel tanks, as well as fuel tanks with polyurethane foam filler.
The crew of the car includes:
- the commander - the left pilot, is engaged in piloting the helicopter, carries out aiming and use of unguided weapons; when launching guided missiles, it performs a “shooting” mode.
- the second pilot, is engaged in piloting a helicopter to help the commander of the crew; performs the functions of the operator of the "Sturm-V" complex when searching for targets, launching and targeting guided missiles, and also performs the duties of a navigator.
- the flight mechanic, in addition to performing his full-time functions, also performs the functions of the stern and bow machine-gunners.
The main distinguishing feature of the Mi-8AMTSH helicopters was the inclusion of modern Shturm-V ATGMs and Igla-V air-to-air missiles into their armament. The complex of high-precision guided missiles "Shturm" makes it possible to effectively hit armored vehicles, including those equipped with dynamic protection, low-speed air targets, manpower and enemy fortified points. In terms of the range of possible weapons, the MI-8AMTSh came close to the Mi-24 attack helicopter, while having a greater variability of use.
Information sources:
- http://www.vertolet-media.ru/helicopters/mvz/mi-8amtsh/
- http://www.armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2012/0731/150014112/detail.shtml
- http://www.aviastar.org/helicopters_rus/mi-8-r.html
- http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9C%D0%B8-8
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