Russian aviation. Russian Aviation Modifications of the Mi 8 helicopter

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 (NATO classification Hip)- Soviet and Russian multi-purpose helicopter, created by the M.L. Mil Design Bureau in the early 60s of the last century. Currently is the most popular twin-engine helicopter in the world, and is also one of the most popular helicopters in the history of aviation. Widely used to solve a large number of civil and military problems.

The helicopter has been in service with the Soviet Air Force since 1967 and has proven to be such a successful type of equipment that purchases of it for the Russian Air Force continue to this day. Wherein The Mi-8 helicopter is operated in more than 50 countries around the world, including countries such 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, and more than 13,000 machines of this type have been produced. Today these are Mi-8MTV-1, MTV-2, MTV-5, Mi-8AMTSh, Mi-171, Mi-172 helicopters.

In 2012, the Mi-8 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 50 years, the car is in demand all over the world and is even purchased by NATO member states. From 2006 to 2008, 26 Mi-171Sh military transport helicopters were delivered to the Czech Republic and Croatia.

Today, the Mi-8/17 production plants of Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant OJSC and Kazan Helicopter Plant OJSC, which are part of the Russian Helicopters holding company, 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 modernizing this machine continues continuously.

OJSC Moscow Helicopter Plant named after. M.L. Milya is currently assembling the first prototype of the modernized version of the Mi-171A2 helicopter, and the technical appearance 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 significantly lighter. In addition, all the main units and systems of the vehicle were modernized, and its flight and technical characteristics were improved. Total modernization includes about 80 innovations. At the same time, the helicopter crew will be reduced to 2 people, which will significantly affect its economic efficiency.

Over the course of their history, helicopters of the Mi-8 family 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.

The multi-purpose Mi-8 helicopter, created back in the middle of the last century, is still one of the most popular in its class and will be in demand on the Russian and global aviation markets for many years to come. Over the many years of production, the Mi-8 became the basis for many unique developments, for example, the “amphibious helicopter” Mi-14.

Design of the Mi-8 helicopter

The Mi-8 helicopter is made according to a single-rotor design with a tail rotor, a tricycle landing gear and two gas turbine engines. The fuselage of the vehicle has a frame structure and consists of nose, central, tail and end beams. In the bow of the helicopter there is a crew cabin for three people: two pilots and a flight mechanic. The cockpit glazing provides the helicopter crew with good visibility; the right and left blisters are sliding and equipped with emergency release mechanisms.

In the central part of the fuselage there was a cabin measuring 5.34 x 2.25 x 1.8 meters. In the transport version, it had a cargo hatch with doors, which increased its length to 7.82 m and a central sliding door measuring 0.62 by 1.4 meters, which had an emergency release mechanism. There was an electric winch and mooring units on the floor of the cargo compartment, and an electric winch boom was installed above the door itself.

The helicopter's cargo cabin was designed to transport cargo weighing up to 4 tons and was equipped with folding seats that could accommodate 24 passengers, and there were also attachment points for 12 stretchers. At the customer's request, the helicopter can be equipped with an external cargo suspension system: a hinged-pendulum system for 2500 kg and a cable system for 3000 kg, as well as a winch with a lifting capacity of 150 kg.

In the passenger version of the helicopter, the cabin had dimensions of 6.36 x 2.05 x 1.7 meters and was equipped with 28 seats, which were placed in 2 rows on each side with a pitch of 0.74 m and a passage of 0.3 m. In the rear of the cabin on the right side there was a wardrobe, and in the back of the doors there was an opening for the rear entrance door, which consisted of a ladder and doors.

The tail boom of the helicopter had a riveted beam-stringer type structure and was equipped with a working skin. It was equipped with units for attaching the tail support and the controlled stabilizer. The helicopter was equipped with a stabilizer measuring 2.7 m and an area of ​​2 m 2 with a NACA 0012 profile; its design was single-spar.

The helicopter's landing gear was tricycle and non-retractable. The front landing gear was self-orienting and consisted of 2 wheels measuring 535 x 185 mm. The main supports of the shaped helicopter were equipped with liquid-gas double-chamber shock absorbers and wheels measuring 865 x 280 mm. The helicopter also had a tail support, 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 helicopter's power plant included two turboshaft gas turbine engines with a free TV2-117AT turbine produced by the St. Petersburg NPO named after. V.Ya.Klimova. On Mi-8T helicopters its power was 1250 kW, on Mi-8MT, AMT and MTB a TVZ-117MT turbine with a power of 1435 kW was installed. Gas turbine engines were mounted on top of the fuselage and covered by a common hood with opening flaps. The helicopter engines were equipped with dust protection devices and their weight was 330 kg.

Fuel system included a consumable fuel tank with a capacity of 445 liters, a right outboard tank with a capacity of 680 or 1030 liters, a left outboard tank with a capacity of 745 or 1140 liters, and an additional tank in the cargo compartment with a capacity of 915 liters.

The helicopter transmission consisted of 3 gearboxes: main, intermediate and tail, main rotor and brake shafts. The main gearbox of the helicopter provides power transmission from the engines, which have an output shaft speed of 12,000 rpm, to the main rotor with a speed of 192 rpm, as well as the tail rotor with a speed of 1,124 rpm and the fan - 6,021 rpm /min, which serves to cool the main gearbox and engine oil coolers. The total mass of the helicopter oil system is 60 kg.

The helicopter control was duplicated, with cable and rigid 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 terms of 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 the hydraulic boosters, the pressure in it was 6.5 MPa.

The Mi-8 helicopter was equipped with a ventilation and heating system, which provided the supply of cold and heated air to the cabins of passengers and crew. The helicopter also had an anti-icing system that protected the steering and main rotor blades, as well as the engine air intakes and the front windows of the cockpit from icing.

Equipment for instrument flights in adverse weather conditions, as well as at night, included an attitude indicator, a combined heading system, a radio altimeter, an automatic radio compass and 2 rotor speed indicators.

Mi-8AMTSH

Currently, the Russian Armed Forces continue to purchase Mi-8 helicopters. As part of the state defense order, Mi-8AMTSh vehicles should be delivered to the troops by 2020. Mi-8AMTSh is an attack military transport helicopter(export designation Mi-171Sh).

The helicopter is designed to combat armored ground, surface, mobile and stationary small targets, to destroy enemy personnel, transport troops, cargo, the wounded, as well as perform search and rescue operations. The helicopter was developed at the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant in close cooperation with OJSC Moscow Helicopter Plant named after. M.L. Mile."

To solve combat missions, the helicopter can be equipped with a system of missile and small arms and cannon weapons, as well as a set of means of protection against destruction, sanitary and airborne transport equipment, as well as instrumentation and radio-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 a medical or airborne transport version does not require much time and can be carried out directly during the period of preparation for a flight to perform the corresponding mission.

To increase the combat survivability of the vehicle, this helicopter is equipped with:
— automatic reflector reset ASO-2V;
— ECU screen-exhaust devices;
— a set of removable armor plates that cover the crew;
— protected outboard fuel tanks;
— fuel tanks with polyurethane foam filler.

The crew of the vehicle includes:
– commander – left pilot, is engaged in piloting a helicopter, aims and uses unguided weapons, and performs the “launch” mode when launching guided missiles;

- second pilot, is engaged in piloting a helicopter to assist the crew commander; performs the functions of an operator of the Shturm-V complex when searching for targets, launching and targeting guided missiles, and also performs the duties of a navigator;

– flight mechanic, in addition to performing its regular functions, also performs the functions of a gunner for the stern and bow machine gun installations.

The main distinctive feature of the Mi-8AMTSh helicopters was the inclusion of modern Shturm-V ATGMs and Igla-V air-to-air missiles in their armament. The Sturm complex of high-precision guided missiles makes it possible to quite effectively hit armored vehicles, including those equipped with dynamic protection, low-speed air targets, manpower and fortified enemy positions.

In terms of the range of possible weapons, the MI-8AMTSh comes very close to, while having greater variability in use.

Mi-8 (V-8, product “80”, according to NATO: Mi-8 Hip- “hip”) is a Soviet/Russian multi-purpose helicopter created by the Mil Design Bureau in the early 1960s. This machine is the most popular twin-engine helicopter in the world, and is also included in the list of the most popular helicopters in history. Widely used in many countries around the world to perform most civil and military tasks.

Story

The first B-8 prototype flew on July 9, 1961; second prototype B-8A - September 17, 1962. After a number of modifications, the Mi-8 was adopted by the Soviet Air Force in 1967 and proved to be such a successful machine that purchases of the Mi-8 for the Russian Air Force continue in our time. The Mi-8 is operated in more than 50 countries, including India, China and Iran.

The modernization of the Mi-8 helicopter, which ended in 1980, led to the creation of an improved version of this machine - the Mi-8MT (product “88”, which received the designation Mi-17 when exported), which is distinguished by an improved power plant (2 TV3- 117), as well as the presence of an auxiliary power unit. The Mi-17 is not so widespread and is used in about 20 countries around the world.

In 1991, production of the new civilian transport modification Mi-8AMT (the export version is called Mi-171E) began, and in the late 1990s, the military transport and assault modification Mi-8AMTSh (Mi-171Sh).

In 2014, the 3,500th helicopter of the Mi-17 family was delivered to the customer.

Design

Single-rotor helicopter with 5-bladed main rotor and 3-bladed tail rotor. The fastening of the main rotor blades is hinged (vertical, horizontal and axial hinges), and the tail rotor blades are combined (horizontal and axial), cardan type. The transmission of the Mi-8 helicopter is the same as that of the Mi-4 helicopter. The main rotor blades are all-metal, consisting of a hollow spar pressed from an aluminum alloy, to the trailing edge of which 24 compartments (on some versions 23) with a honeycomb core of aluminum foil are glued, forming a profile. All main rotor blades are equipped with a pneumatic spar damage alarm. The Mi-8 is equipped with an electric anti-icing blade system, which operates in both automatic and manual modes, and is powered by an alternating voltage of 208 volts. If one of the engines fails in flight, the other engine automatically switches to increased power, while horizontal flight is performed without reducing altitude. In the main mode, the main rotor rotates at a speed of 192 min-1, the steering rotor - 1445 min-1. The helicopter control system uses hydraulic boosters - three KAU-30B (combined control unit) to control the main rotor and one RA-60B (steering unit) to control the tail rotor.

The landing gear is tricycle, non-retractable, with a self-orienting front strut in flight. To prevent the tail rotor from touching the ground, there is a tail support. The helicopter's external suspension system makes it possible to transport cargo weighing up to 3 tons. The Mi-8 is equipped with a four-channel autopilot AP-34, which provides stabilization of roll, pitch and direction, as well as flight altitude (+...-50m). In the passenger version, the helicopter cabin can accommodate up to 18 seats; in the transport version, it is equipped with folding benches for 24 seats. To maintain a comfortable temperature in the cockpit and cargo compartment, the helicopter is equipped with a heating system, using a KO-50 kerosene heater, and ventilation. Navigation and flight instruments and radio equipment in all modifications of the helicopter allow flights at any time of the day in any weather.

Helicopters of different modifications differ quite significantly in the composition of their equipment. Early helicopters (Mi-8, Mi-8T) are equipped with two TV2-117 engines with a power of 1500 hp, with a 10-stage compressor and starting from a GS-18TO starter-generator installed on each engine. When starting the first engine, its starter-generator is powered by six on-board 12CAM28 batteries (monoblock aviation starter with a capacity of 28 Ah) with a voltage of 24 V, the second engine is powered by a starter-generator of an already running engine, and three batteries. When the GS-18TO engines are running, they supply a voltage of 27 volts to the main power supply system. Four batteries are installed in the pilot's cabin under the shelves of electrical and radio equipment, two on each side, the remaining two behind the pilot's cabin in the cargo compartment, in the passenger version in the rear part behind the cabin partition. Despite their relatively small capacity, they are capable of providing 5 engine starts in a row on the ground and in the air at altitudes of up to 3 km, while delivering a current of 600-800 amperes; when the engines are running, they are charged from DC generators and automatically turn off when the rated capacity is reached or turn on in the event of a voltage drop in the on-board network (if generators fail) using differential minimum relays DMR-600T, a generator operation monitoring system.

A three-phase voltage of 36 V for powering gyroscopic devices is provided by one of two PT-500Ts converters (main or backup), a single-phase current of 208 V with a frequency of 400 Hz to power the heating elements of propellers and windshields is provided by the SGO-30U generator installed on the main gearbox. Also from SGO-30U through a single-phase transformer TS/1-2, which powers radio and navigation equipment, and from it - transformer Tr-115/36, which supplies engine and transmission control devices with a single-phase voltage of 36 V, and through transformer 115/7.5 - power supply for main rotor contour lights. If the SGO-30U fails, the heating elements of the blades are turned off, the rest of the equipment automatically switches to power from the PO-750A converter.

Helicopters of later series (Mi-8MT, Mi-17, etc.) have been significantly modernized. The engines were replaced with more powerful (2250 hp) TV3-117 with a 12-speed compressor and air starting; to supply air to the air starters of the engines, an AI-9V APU was installed, the STG-3 starter-generator of which can supply a voltage of 27 to the on-board network when the APU is running volts with a power of 3 kW for 30 minutes. The main power supply system with a voltage of 208 V and a frequency of 400 Hz is powered by two SGS-40PU generators located on the main gearbox. In the 27 V system, two 12SAM-28 batteries are installed for starting the APU and emergency power, and three VU-6A rectifier devices are installed for the main power supply when the engines are running. The first generator powers VU No. 1, propeller heating elements and transformer TS310S04B (power 1 kW) supplying a three-phase 36 V network, from the right generator - VU No. 2 and No. 3, heated glass and dust protection device (ROM) of engines, transformer TS/1 -2.

If generator No. 1 fails, the TS310S04B automatically switches to generator No. 2; if both generators or the transformer itself fail, the PT-200Ts converter starts up. If generator No. 2 fails, TS/1-2 switches to generator No. 1; if both generators or the transformer itself fail, the PO-500A converter starts up. Also, if generator No. 2 fails, VU-6A No. 3 switches to generator No. 1.

The helicopter has two hydraulic systems - the main one and the backup one, the pressure in each is created by a separate NSh-39M pump installed on the main gearbox. The pressure is regulated within 45+-3 ... 65+8-2 kgf/sq.cm. GA-77V automatic pump unloading machines are supported by hydraulic accumulators - two in the main system and one in the backup system. Hydraulic supply to consumers - RA-60B tail rotor control, KAU-30B general pitch main rotor, two KAU-30B longitudinal and lateral control, a movable stop in the tail rotor control system and the clutch of the "Step-Gas" handle - is switched on by separate electromagnetic valves GA192.

Modifications

Experienced

V-8 - The first prototype with one gas turbine engine (gas turbine engine) AI-24V (single-shaft turboprop engine with a 10-stage axial compressor, an annular combustion chamber and a three-stage turbine) designed by A. G. Ivchenko. The first flight took place on June 24, 1961.

-V-8A - Second prototype with two TV2-117 gas turbine engines (aviation turboshaft engine)

V-8AT - The third prototype.

V-8AP - The fourth prototype.

Passenger

Mi-8P - passenger helicopter has 28 seats. Equipped with rectangular portholes.

Mi-8PA - modification of Mi-8P with GTD TV2-117F engines (designed to operate in difficult climatic conditions)

Transport

Mi-8T is a transport and landing helicopter designed for the Air Force.

Mi-8TS is an export version of the Mi-8T created specifically for the Syrian Air Force, modified for dry climate conditions.

Multipurpose

Mi-8TV - “Transport, armed.” has been in service with the USSR Air Force since 1968. It is distinguished by the installation of guides for 4 9M14M “Malyutka” ATGMs, an A-12.7 machine gun, armoring of the cockpit, gearbox and engine hoods, armored glass of the cockpit (mainly frontal).

Mi-8AT is a helicopter with TV2-117AG engines.

Mi-8AV is an aerial minelayer for ground forces. Equipped with a VMR-1 minelayer. Which could set from 64 (in the first modifications) to 200 minutes.

Mi-8AD is a modification of an air minelayer for ground forces, designed to lay small-sized non-retrievable anti-personnel mines.

Mi-8MT - modification with TV3-117 engines.

Mi-8MTV or Mi-8MTV-1 - modification with TV3-117VM, TV3-117VM series 02, VK-2500-03 engines. Serial production began in Kazan in 1988.

Mi-8MTV-5 - the shape of the nose section has been replaced (“dolphin nose”). Since the end of 2013, it has been equipped with the Test-1 BUR product instead of SARPP-12DM (SARPP-12D1M).

Mi-8MTKO is a variant with lighting equipment adapted for the use of a night vision flight system.

Mi-17-1V - variant of the Mi-8MTV intended for export

Mi-8AMT (export designation Mi-171E) is a variant of the Mi-8MTV with minor changes, produced at the aircraft plant in Ulan-Ude (since 1991). There are different modifications: passenger, transport, search and rescue, VIP salon, etc.

Mi-171 is a modification of the Mi-8AMT helicopter, has a certificate issued by the Interstate Aviation Committee.

Mi-171A1 is a modification of the Mi-8AMT helicopter that complies with the US Rotorcraft Airworthiness Standards FAR-29.

Mi-17KF is a modification of the Mi-8MTV-5 with Honeywell avionics. The Mil Design Bureau was created jointly with KVZ by order of the Canadian company Kelowna Flightcraft. The first flight was made on August 3, 1997.

Mi-8TG - modification of Mi-8P with polyfuel gas turbine engines TV2-117G (Improved version of TV2-117A with additional graphite bearing seals. TV2-117A engines are upgraded to TV2-117AG during repairs)

Mi-14 is a multi-purpose amphibious helicopter.

Mi-18 is an extended version of the Mi-8MT. Not mass produced.

Mi-8MSB - Ukrainian modification with TV3-117VMA-SBM1V 4E series engines, for the Air Force (adopted into service in April 2014) and for export.

Mi-8TECH-24 - flying technical and operational unit. Equipped with plumbing, electrical, testing and other equipment used during the operation and repair of helicopter equipment.

Mi-8TZ - tanker and fuel transporter.

Mi-8BT - trawl towing vehicle.

Mi-8SP is a special sea rescue aircraft.

Mi-8SPA is a search and rescue helicopter for searching for cosmonauts and crews of other aircraft in the event of splashdown.

Mi-8TL is a forest fire modification equipped with a massive water discharge system and a water cannon.

Mi-8S is a command helicopter equipped with round windows.

Mi-8PS is a command helicopter equipped with square windows.

Mi-8KP is a specialized command post for conducting large-scale integrated search and rescue operations.

Mi-8GR or Mi-8R is a reconnaissance helicopter designed for visual observation and photography in the front line.

Mi-8K - artillery spotter.

Mi-8TAKR is a helicopter with a television surveillance system.

Mi-8VD is a radiation-chemical reconnaissance helicopter.

Mi-8S is a modification of a helicopter with a combined power plant of turboshaft engines driving the main rotor and a traction turbojet.

Mi-8MTL is a reconnaissance aircraft with the ability to simultaneously use thermal imaging reconnaissance and radio interception with precise determination of target coordinates.

Mi-8MTYU - Was designed in a single copy. Designed specifically for detecting landers and small surface targets; a radar antenna is located in the nose. Used by the Ukrainian Air Force.

Mi-AMT-1 - equipped with a luxury cabin (VIP cabin) for the government air squad of the President of the Russian Federation

Air command posts

Mi-8VKP or Mi-8VzPU - air command post.

Mi-8IV or Mi-9 - an air command post intended for division commanders, a serial modification.

Mi-9 is an air command post for commanders of motorized rifle and tank divisions. Equipped with an automated communication complex. Designed in 1987 on the basis of the Mi-8MT.

Mi-9R is an air command post created specifically for commanders of missile divisions of the Strategic Missile Forces. Equipped with an automated communication complex. Designed in 1987 on the basis of the Mi-8MT.

Medical

Mi-8MB - air hospital. Designed on the basis of the Mi-8T.

Mi-8MTB - armored air hospital. Created on the basis of the Mi-8MT.

Mi-8MTVM - medical modification of the Mi-8MTV.

Mi-8MTV-MPS is a medical search and rescue helicopter created on the basis of the Mi-8MTV.

Mi-17G is an air hospital version created for export.

Mi-17-1VA "Ambulatory" - a sanitary variant of the Mi-8MTV designed for export.

Jammers

Mi-8SMV is a jammer equipped with a Smalta-V (Smalta-helicopter) jamming station.

Mi-8PP is an electronic warfare (electronic warfare) helicopter, according to some sources it is equipped with the “Pole” complex, but in the 70-80s. EW complexes were usually called by the names of plants; it is quite possible that this option is simply confused with early versions of the Mi-8PPA.

The Mi-8PPA is an electronic warfare helicopter equipped with the Azalia and Fasol stations; according to some sources, it is a modified version of the Mi-8PP.

Mi-8MTP - jammer.

Mi-8MTPB - jammer.

Mi-8MTPI - jammer.

Mi-8MTPSh - jammer.

Mi-8MTD - jammer.

Mi-8MTR1 - jammer.

Mi-8MTR2 - jammer.

Mi-8MTS - jammer.

Mi-8MTSh1 - jammer.

Mi-8MTSh2 - jammer.

Mi-8MTSh3 - jammer.

Mi-8MTYA - jammer.

Mi-8MT1S - jammer.

Agricultural

Mi-8ATS is an agricultural version of the helicopter with fertilizer spraying devices. Designed on the basis of the Mi-8T.

Mi-8MTSkh - agricultural helicopter. Developed on the basis of the Mi-8MT.

Drums

Mi-8AMTSh (export designation - Mi-171Sh) is a transport and attack helicopter, equipped with a set of weapons equivalent to the Mi-24, a complex of armor protection for the crew and adapted for the use of night vision equipment. At the Farnborough Air Show 99 it was designated "Terminator". Since the end of 2011, it has been equipped with an on-board recording device “Test-1” instead of SARPP-12. Since the end of 2013, it has been equipped with the Test-1 BUR product with an expanded list of recorded parameters (40 analog and 28 one-time).
Protection: electronic device, steel armor plates, LC ejection machine (False target - a device, structure, formation or means that imitates a real protected object according to signal characteristics, movement parameters (if the object is moving) and other signs essential for recognition and intended to distract electronic weapons from the actual target (protected object)), jammer, protected fuel tanks.

Features: winch lowering up to 4 people at a time, ramp, IR search light, night vision goggles, infrared camera.

Armament S-8 missiles in blocks, Attack missiles.

Mi-8AMTSh-1 - modification of the Mi-8AMTSh, equipped with a weapons complex in combination with a luxury salon (VIP salon)

TTX Mi-8

Flight range, km:
-with additional fuel tanks 1300
-with a maximum aviation fuel reserve of 800
-at maximum load 550
-Aviation fuel consumption, t/hour 0.72

Combat use of MI-8

Six-Day War (1967) - at least 3 Egyptian Mi-8s are destroyed by Israeli aircraft at airfields.
-Ethiopian-Somali War (1977-1978)
-Afghan War (1979-1989) - the 40th Army lost 174 Mi-8 helicopters; the losses of helicopters of the border troops, SAVO and the Afghan army are unknown. During the Afghan conflict, there was a recorded case of an Mi-8 being shot down using an old English Lee-Enfield rifle (“drill”).
-Georgian-Abkhazian war (1992-1993)
-Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) - 6 Iraqi Mi-8s were shot down in the air by Iranian fighters. The total losses of Iraqi helicopters are unknown.
-Paquisha War (1981) - one Peruvian Mi-8 helicopter was shot down by FAL rifle fire
-War in Karabakh
-First Chechen war (1994-1996)
-Ethiopian-Eritrean conflict (1998-2000)
-Invasion of militants in the Republic of Dagestan (1999) - the Russian army lost at least three Mi-8s.
-Kargil War (1999)
-NATO operation against Yugoslavia (1999) In 1999, a Serbian Mi-8 shot down a reconnaissance UAV with a machine gun. In 2000, a similar incident occurred.
-Second Chechen War (1999)
-War in Afghanistan (since 2001)
-Iraq War
-Bhutan Operation against Assamese Resistance 2003
-Armed conflict in South Ossetia (2008)
-Civil war in Syria (since 2011)
-Armed conflict in eastern Ukraine (2014)

Operated:

Used in more than 50 countries around the world

Russia - 534 in 2010, 34 Mi-8 (22 Mi-8AMTSh, the rest Mi-8AMT and Mi-8MTV) were put into service at the air bases of Budyonnovsk and Korenovsk (10 Mi-8). 53 Mi-8AMTSh in 2013
-Azerbaijan
-Algeria
-Argentina - in 2010-11 a contract was signed for six Mi-171Es for flights from the coast of Argentina to Antarctica
-Armenia - as of 2014, 3 m-17v were also purchased
-Angola
-Afghanistan - an agreement was concluded for the supply of 21 military transport Mi-17V5.
-Bangladesh
-Brazil - in 2011, three Mi-171A1 were manufactured for ATLAS airline.
-Belarus
-Bulgaria
-Bosnia and Herzegovina
-Burkina Faso
-Butane
-Venezuela - 20 Mi-17s (in service with the country's air force), 6 Mi-17s have been ordered.
-Hungary
-Vietnam
-Ghana
-Guyana
-Germany
-Georgia - in 2011, there were 17 units in service. Mi-8T
-Djibouti
-Zambia
-Egypt
-India - a large number of Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters are in operation, the delivery of another 80 helicopters, Mi-17V-5, is planned.
-Indonesia - 6 Mi-17-B5 were delivered in July 2008 under an agreement concluded in 2005.
-Iraq - in 2010, the United States placed an order for the Iraqi Air Force for 80 Mi-17 helicopters (of which 46 were used), by 2012 68 were delivered.
-Iran - 5 Mi-171s have been ordered, of which 2 have already been delivered.
-Kazakhstan
-Cameroon - in 2013, an agreement was concluded for the supply of a batch of Mi-17.
-Canada
-Kenya
-Cyprus
-Kyrgyzstan
-China
-North Korea
-Colombia
-Cuba - in 2011, there were 2 units in service. Mi-8R and 8 pcs. Mi-17
-Latvia - as of 2011, there were 4 units in service. Mi-17
-Libya
-Lithuania - in 2011, there were nine Mi-8s in service
- Macedonia
-Mexico
-Moldova
-Mongolia
-Myanmar
-Nepal
-Nigeria
-Nicaragua - as of 2011, 16 pcs. Mi-17 is in service
-UAE
-UN
-Pakistan
-Transnistria
-Poland
-Peru - In 2010, 6 Mi-171E and Mi-171Sh were acquired.
-Romania - 25 units delivered in 1968. Mi-8T and 14 pcs. Mi-8PS, in 1985 - 3 more units. Mi-17; in the 1990s, two more Mi-17s were acquired for the police, one Mi-17-1V and one Mi-17-1VA; in 2001 they were withdrawn from army service (put in storage and transferred to the Ministry of Internal Affairs).
-Syria
-Serbia
-Slovakia
-Sudan - 6 units were purchased in 2012, in 2013 a contract was concluded for the supply of 16 Mi-8 transport vehicles. Sudan Police - 1 Mi-17V-5 (w/n 101, serial number 736M07)
-USA - 70 Mi-17V5 units purchased for missions in Afghanistan.
-Sierra Leone
-Tajikistan
-Turkmenistan
-Turkey - 19 units were ordered in 1993 and delivered in 1995. Mi-17-1B for the gendarmerie, in 2007 one helicopter crashed due to technical reasons
-Ukraine
-Uzbekistan
-Finland
-Chad
-Montenegro
-Czech
-Croatia
-Sri Lanka
-Ecuador
-Eritrea
-Estonia
-South Korea. Police of the Republic of Korea - 3 Mi-172, as of the beginning of 2014.
-SOUTH AFRICA
-South Sudan

Half a century ago, the legendary helicopter opened the way to the sky for a family of thousands of G8s. Mi-8 helicopters took part in local conflicts, saved thousands of lives, withstood severe Siberian frosts, heat, temperature changes, desert dust and tropical downpours. Over the years of operation, about 130 different modifications were created. Today, Mi-8/17 helicopters remain the best in their class and are operated in more than 100 countries around the world.

By the end of the 1950s, the era of piston engines was coming to an end: progress in the development of turbojet and turboprop engines with a more favorable weight-to-power ratio dictated the need to use such engines on helicopters. By this time, American and European helicopter manufacturing companies were producing light helicopters with turboshaft engines (TVD) in small series.

In 1955, the Piasecki Helicopter company built a 15-ton giant twin-rotor longitudinal YH-16A Transporter with two 2650 hp turbojet engines. With. every. In 1959, Mikhail Mil was able to lift the Mi-6 into the air - the largest and heaviest helicopter in the world with a take-off weight of 40 tons and a payload capacity of 6–12 tons. The success of the Milevites was facilitated not only by the type of engines used on the Mi-6, but also by their layout above the fuselage. This became the decisive factor for choosing the V-8 design - the future Mi-8.

Chance helped in the creation of the Mi-8 helicopter. During Nikita Khrushchev's visit to the United States, he was given a ride on the Sikorsky S-58 presidential helicopter. Upon his return, Nikita Sergeevich demanded that a similar machine be built. The executive helicopter was manufactured on the basis of the Mi-4. Khrushchev really liked him. Taking advantage of the situation, Mil proposed creating an even more comfortable and economical car.

In those years, special helicopter gas turbine engines were not produced in the USSR, and for the first single-engine prototype V-8 they decided to adapt the Ai-24 aircraft engine from the A. G. Ivchenko Design Bureau.

In total, two experimental single-engine V-8s were built, in the design of which a lot was borrowed from the Mi-4 - almost the entire dynamic system. In 1961, the first B-8 took part in the Tushino air parade and the Exhibition of National Economic Achievements. The second prototype was created in the fall of the same year and was intended for ground endurance testing.

It seemed that the future of the helicopter was largely assured. However, when considering the airborne transport option, the military demanded for greater safety that the helicopter be made twin-engine and the power of the power plant increased, which dictated the need to create a new main gearbox. OKB A.G. Ivchenko for a number of reasons did not take up this work, and it became clear that the problem that had arisen should be solved differently.

The OKB of S.P. Izotov had the opportunity to create a new helicopter theater and main gearbox, and already in 1962, OKB specialists handed over to the Milevians the first copies of the TV2-117 - the first gas turbine engine in the USSR, designed specifically for installation on a helicopter. A new power plant consisting of two TV2-117s became the basis for a twin-engine vehicle.

Weighing just over 300 kg, each engine developed power up to 1,700 hp. s., which is 250 liters. With. more than was provided for in the technical specifications. Also, the S.P. Izotov Design Bureau developed the VR-8 main gearbox for the helicopter, and the M.L. Mil Design Bureau designed a new five-blade main rotor. Thanks to this, the famous Mi-8 was created.

All these changes were implemented in the third copy, designated B-8A. The standard for mass production was the fifth car, made in a passenger version. In just three years, the experimental device turned into a reliable machine.

The production of new helicopters began in Kazan. The first production Mi-8T took off in 1965. The USSR State Commission approved the crew commander as experienced test pilot Leonid Antropov, who had extensive experience flying Mi-1 and Mi-4 helicopters. The twenty-minute flight on October 26 became his finest hour. Antropov's crew included co-pilot Boris Demchak and flight mechanic Artur Nikolaev. In June 1970, the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant (U-UAZ) began serial production of Mi-8 helicopters to equip the Soviet Air Force.

Over the many years of production, the Mi-8 became the basis for many unique developments, one of them is the Mi-14 amphibious helicopter, which made its first flight on August 15, 1969 in Kazan. The lead designer of the machine was Bulat Valishev, the future chief engineer of the Kazan Helicopter Plant (KVZ).

On January 24, 1974, the first production Mi-14 made its flight. A new, more powerful TVD TV3-117 was developed specifically for the amphibious helicopter.

Equipping the Mi-8 with this power plant led to the appearance of a modernized version of the Mi-8MT, which also inherited all transmission gearboxes, shafts and tail rotor from the Mi-14. The updated machine mastered high-altitude routes and could work in hot climates. Its export version was designated Mi-17.

After the Mi-8 began operating in Afghanistan, it was equipped with modernized TV3-117VM engines, which made it possible to increase the flight altitude and improve the rate of climb characteristics, and therefore the design of the tail rotor blades was changed.

One of the areas of development of the helicopter was a deep modernization of the fuselage. Its modification, including the replacement of the doors with a ramp with an electro-hydraulic drive, made it possible to significantly reduce the time of landing, loading and unloading of cargo and equipment, and speed up the evacuation of the wounded. The export version of this machine was called Mi-171Sh.

At the turn of the century, the Mi-8MTV-5 was created. The helicopter has an additional door on the starboard side, and the left one has been significantly expanded. The number of paratrooper seats was increased to 36. The bow section was completely redesigned. It became “dolphin-shaped”, with a solid fairing that can be raised upward, under which it became possible to install a modern weather radar and new radio equipment. An enlarged hatch in the floor of the cargo compartment made it possible to use an external suspension system equipped with a weight meter and an emergency release device, as well as to increase the load capacity from 3 to 4 tons. The enlarged opening of the left door in the cargo compartment made it possible to more efficiently use a winch-loading system with a boom with a lifting capacity of 300 kg, with which you can lift two people on board at once.

Today, helicopters of the Mi-8/17/171 type are equipped with increased power VK-2500 engines and a modernized auxiliary unit, which make the use of the machine more efficient in high mountains and areas with hot climates. For the first time, KVZ test pilot Pyotr Chumakov landed on a Mi-17V-5 helicopter with the engine turned off at an altitude of 5500 m. The mountain site had dimensions of only 30 x 30 m. Thanks to the power plant, the machine reached a practical ceiling of 7900 m!

In 2014, the Russian Ministry of Defense received the latest Mi-8AMTSh-V with a modern weapons and defense system, as well as the latest flight and navigation system. And on November 25, 2015, at U-UAZ, representatives of the department accepted the first Mi-8AMTSH-VA helicopter, created specifically to ensure operation in the Arctic regions of the country.

The latest development based on the Mi-8 was the modernized Mi-171A2, designed to replace the entire variety of helicopters of the Mi-8/17/171 type. It is planned that all subsequent civil and military modifications of the family will be based on innovations that are used specifically in this project.

Main rotor The main rotor is designed to create lifting
strength and traction force, to ensure longitudinal and
lateral control of the helicopter. Rotor
consists of five blades and a main rotor hub,
mounted on the shaft of the main gearbox VR-14. For
changes in the magnitude and direction of the thrust force of the carrier
The screw serves as a swashplate.

Rotor

Rotor

Rotor

Rotor

Rotor

Rotor

Rotor

10. Rotor

11. Rotor

12. Rotor

13. Rotor

14. Rotor

15. Rotor

16. Rotor

17. Rotor

18. Rotor

19. Rotor

20. Rotor

21. Rotor

22. Rotor

The military transport version of the Mi-8/17 helicopters currently continues to be one of the most used helicopters in its class. These helicopters were created taking into account a comprehensive analysis of the rich experience of using domestic helicopter technology in combat operations in various hot spots of the planet. High performance characteristics and versatility have made this helicopter one of the most popular Russian-made helicopters in the world. The Mi-8AMTSh and Mi-8AMTSh-V helicopters are now entering service with the Russian army; a special version of the helicopter has also been developed for operation in the Arctic. Currently, helicopters of these types are produced at the facilities of the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant.

Mi-8AMTSh helicopters (export designation Mi-171Sh) are designed for transporting personnel, as well as various cargoes inside the cabin and on an external sling. They can be used, among other things, for carrying out rescue operations, and also carry various weapons. The helicopter was developed on the basis of the Mi-8AMT multi-purpose helicopter at the Ulan-Udinsk Aviation Plant. The unofficial nickname of this machine is “Terminator”; under this designation the helicopter was demonstrated in 1999 in Great Britain at the Farnborough Air Show. The helicopter was adopted by the Russian Air Force in 2009.

This helicopter retained good landing and landing capabilities. The experience of modern local conflicts and wars shows that a helicopter has very little time, only a few tens of seconds, to land troops, says first-class pilot Major Alexander Barsukov. After this, the car can easily be hit, even despite very good armor. In order to reduce the landing time, Mi-8AMTSh helicopters received sliding doors that open from both sides, as well as an automatic ramp, which replaced mechanical doors. The main difference of the car was the ability to make night flights. Flying with night vision goggles is a fairly new thing for Russian helicopter pilots. It is their use that makes it possible to ensure the night use of the Mi-8AMTSh helicopter.

If necessary, a guided weapon system can be installed on the helicopter, which will be similar to the Mi-24 helicopter. In addition, the helicopter received enhanced armor protection (lightweight metal-ceramic armor), as well as new avionics. The helicopter's new avionics suite, among other things, includes weather radar, pilot night vision goggles, satellite navigation equipment and infrared equipment. The defense complex of the Mi-8AMTSh helicopter includes the ASO-2V decoy shooting system and screen-exhaust devices.

The helicopter's armament can be placed on 4-6 beam holders located on the sides of the fuselage. According to the official website of the Russian Helicopters holding company, the range of onboard weapons of the vehicle includes up to 4 B8V20-A units with 80-mm unguided S-8 missiles, as well as up to two gun containers with 23-mm GSh-23L rapid-fire cannons, as well as two 7.62-mm PKT machine guns in the bow and stern mounts. In the landing compartment of the helicopter there are 6 pivot installations for attaching rifle paratroopers.

The Mi-8AMTSh helicopter is distinguished by the presence of additional armor that protects the crew members. The bottom and front part of the pilot's cabin were covered with armor. There is an armor plate between the cabin and the cargo compartment, and the armor plate is installed in the cargo compartment under the gunner's position. The helicopter crew consists of 3 people: a crew commander, a pilot-navigator and an on-board technician. When evacuating victims and carrying out various rescue operations, a medical worker(s) and rescuer(s) may be present on board the helicopter.

The Mi-8AMTSh-V military transport helicopter with two VK-2500 turboshaft engines is designed to increase the mobility of ground forces, as well as provide their fire support on the battlefield. A helicopter can carry out its assigned tasks day and night, in simple and adverse weather conditions. Using this helicopter you can perform the following main tasks:

Landing of tactical and operational-tactical airborne assault forces;
- ensuring maneuver and actions of troops during battle;
- destruction at the front line and in the tactical depth of infantry fighting vehicles, artillery and tactical missiles at firing (launching) positions, anti-aircraft weapons, anti-tank weapons, enemy personnel in combat and pre-battle formations, including at strong points, radar posts, forward control points, transport and combat helicopters in parking areas;
- destruction of airborne units and subunits, air (sea) landings in landing areas;
- aerial reconnaissance of enemy positions;
- ensuring the flight of tactical and operational-tactical airborne assault forces into the landing area and air support for paratroopers;
- search and rescue of helicopter and airplane crews in distress;
- evacuation of sick and wounded.

To solve all of the above tasks, the Mi-8AMTSh helicopter can be used in landing, transport, combat or ambulance versions:

1) landing version - designed for transporting paratroopers with equipment (maximum 20 people, with additional landing seats installed - 34 people).

2) transport option: a) without installing additional fuel tanks (for transportation of cargo weighing up to 4000 kg in the cargo compartment); b) with one additional fuel tank; c) with two additional fuel tanks; d) for transportation of cargo weighing up to 4000 kg on an external sling; e) for transporting large-sized cargo located inside a cargo compartment with an open ramp.

3) combat version with installed weapons: a) with B8V-20A units; b) with small arms and cannon weapons, UPK-23-250 containers are used; c) with bomber weapons.

4) sanitary option: a) with the wounded on stretchers (maximum 12 people); b) combined option - seated wounded and wounded on stretchers (maximum 20 people: 17 seated and three on stretchers); c) with one additional fuel tank and wounded (maximum 15 seated wounded).

5) ferry version: with two additional fuel tanks, which are installed in the cargo compartment.

To carry out the tasks of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation in the Arctic conditions, the Russian Helicopters holding company created a specialized helicopter Mi-8AMTSH-VA, which was created on the basis of the latest modification of the military transport helicopter Mi-8AMTSH-V, which was distinguished by the installation of new gas turbine engines "Klimov" VK- 2500-03, as well as a more powerful auxiliary power unit (APU) TA-14 and an updated set of avionics.

The Mi-8AMTSh-V helicopter is being created taking into account the import substitution policy announced in Russia. This helicopter is the latest modification of the famous Mi-8 and has already received high marks from military pilots. “Today we understand the importance of our maximum independence from foreign components and assemblies for equipment that is supplied to the Russian armed forces as part of the state defense order, and we are purposefully working in this direction,” Alexander Mikheev, general director of the Russian Helicopters holding company, told reporters. Moreover, using the example of the Mi-8AMTSh-V, we see that the use of Russian equipment in some cases allows us to achieve significant improvements in the helicopter’s performance, Mikheev noted.

In order to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers, all Mi-8AMTSh-V helicopters were equipped with modern domestically produced equipment. The helicopter now has more powerful VK-2500-03 engines, which are produced by the Klimov company (part of the United Propulsion Corporation). The VK-2500-03 engines are a further development of the TVZ-117 engine family and have improved characteristics, which can significantly increase the reliability and safety of the combat use of the helicopter and the performance characteristics of the vehicle in general. In addition, the increased service life of domestic engines should have a favorable effect on the cost of operating the Mi-8AMTSh-V in the army.

Another area of ​​helicopter modernization was the replacement of the AI-9V power plant, which was produced in Ukraine, with the domestic model TA-14, which is produced by Aerosila Research and Production Enterprise. The TA-14 auxiliary power unit is distinguished by greater power, as well as increased operating time in generator mode. TA-14 has the best launch altitude performance (6000 meters versus 4000 meters for its predecessor). Thanks to the installation of a new auxiliary installation, the capabilities of the rotorcraft when operating in high mountains and autonomously based have increased significantly.

The domestically produced BMS satellite navigation system installed on the Mi-8AMTSh-V can work with both GPS and the Russian GLONASS system. A modern set of communications equipment, also of domestic production, allows the crew of a combat vehicle to use high-quality communications in a wide range of frequencies. For flight safety and the convenience of the crew, a new domestic weather radar was installed on the vehicle, which has the function of displaying three-dimensional images of meteorological formations and objects. Information from navigation equipment and weather radar, which improves piloting convenience and flight safety, is displayed on a multifunctional large digital display in the cockpit.

To increase the combat survivability of the vehicle and crew, the helicopter is equipped with modern Russian ceramic-metal armor, which has greater durability and lighter weight than steel armor. Defense and weapons systems, modern Russian radio communications and flight navigation equipment, as well as a wide range of additional equipment allow the Mi-8AMTSh-V military transport helicopter to meet all modern requirements.

Flight characteristics of the Mi-8AMTSh-V:
Overall dimensions: length - 18.99 (without propellers), height - 4.76 m (without tail rotor), main rotor diameter - 21.29 m (5 blades), tail rotor diameter - 3.9 m (3 blades) .
Normal take-off weight is 11,100 kg.
Maximum take-off weight is up to 13,000 kg.
Payload inside the cargo compartment is 4000 kg.
Payload on external sling - 4000 kg.
The useful volume of the cargo compartment is 23 m3.
Maximum flight speed is 250 km/h.
Practical ceiling - 6000 m.
Flight range: with maximum take-off weight - 580 km.
with two additional fuel tanks - 1065 km.
Power plant - 2 VK-2500 engines, power in emergency mode - 2x2700 hp.
The number of paratroopers transported is 34.
The number of wounded transported on stretchers is 12.
Armament: S-8 unguided missiles, 23-mm cannons, small arms (up to 8 firing points): bow and stern PKT, AKM assault rifles, RPK and PKT machine guns on the sides.

Information sources:
http://www.russianhelicopters.aero/ru
http://www.rg.ru/2011/01/14/reg-kuban/terminator.html
http://www.arms-expo.ru/armament/samples/1001/65179
Flight manual for the Mi-8AMTSh helicopter