Russian Helicopters Delivers First Arctic Helicopter to Russia’s Defence Ministry

Nov. 30, 2015

Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant (part of Russian Helicopters, which is part of State Corporation Rostec), hosted a ceremony marking the acceptance of the Mi-8AMTSh-VA by the Russian Defence Ministry’s Arctic groupings. The first Arctic helicopter was developed specially for operation in the country’s north in temperatures lower than -40°С. With auxiliary fuel tanks, the helicopter has a range of over 1,300 km.

The Mi-8AMTSh-VA helicopter was developed on the basis of the Mi-8AMTSh-V, which has already been delivered to the Russian Defence Ministry. The helicopter is fitted with equipment enabling it to operate in low temperatures, where orientation is difficult, polar night, without satellite signal, where radio links are unreliable, over great expanses of water, and a long way from base.

‘The wealth of expertise we built up in the course of the development, production and testing of the Mi-8AMTSh-VA in the Far North are also going to be incorporated into the commercial model of this Arctic helicopter,’ Russian Helicopters CEO Alexander Mikheev said. ‘This helicopter is crucial to the development of transport infrastructure in Russia’s northern regions, and also to companies in the oil and gas sector to support offshore work.’

The contract for the delivery of helicopters that will carry out operations as part of the Arctic groupings was signed with the Russian Federation’s Defence Ministry in February, and was carried out by Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant. In addition to the Russian Armed Forces, other Russian law enforcement agencies have shown considerable interest in this model.

Information on the Mi-8-AMTSh-VA:

The Mi-8AMTSh-VA helicopter is equipped with powerful Klimov-made VK-2500-03 engines and enhanced gears. It boasts a TA-14 auxiliary power unit delivering improved thrust and power output meeting the needs of the helicopter’s energy-intensive on-board systems.

Crew and cargo cabin heating systems, improved insulation and insulating shades, built-in systems to heat the powerplant and gears, Teflon hose incorporated into the hydraulics, and oil and fuel systems ensure that this helicopter can operate in very low temperatures. The Mi-8AMTSh-VA is equipped with special covers to improve the efficiency of the systems responsible for heating the main components in temperatures lower than -40°С.

The digital autopilot will help improve piloting efficiency and navigation accuracy on the Mi-8AMTSh-VA in areas of reduced visibility and Arctic polar night. The helicopter is also equipped with a range of navigation systems – duplicate satellite systems, digital avionics enhanced with built-in map generation and strapdown inertial reference systems enabling it to identify its current coordinates in the event that satellite signal is lost.

The helicopter’s weather radar identifies dangerous weather conditions in both horizontal and vertical profiles, scans the ground area, and identifies objects and shore-lines.

The Mi-8AMTSh-VA is also kitted out with airspace observation systems to warn of other aircraft in low visibility conditions and search directional radio that operates on all emergency frequencies, and which can be used in search and rescue operations.

A specialised communications suite ensures reliable, un-interrupted radio links over a wide range of frequencies.

In order to support the helicopter’s operation in polar night and when it is dark, the Mi-8AMTSh-VA helicopter has been adapted with night vision equipment. Special features have been included to improve operating conditions for members of the crew during lengthy periods away from base, such as facilities to heat water and food.

Mi-8AMTSh-V – is a modernised helicopter developed at Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant on the basis of the Mi-8AMTSh. It boasts the latest Klimov-made VK-2500-03 turboshaft engines, a more powerful auxiliary power unit and gears, advanced protection systems based on on-board defence systems offering automatic threat detection and the subsequent initiation of passive interference, as well as composite armour plating, improved fuel systems, and the latest avionics and radio systems. Thanks to these modernised systems and components, the helicopter boasts significantly improved flight capabilities and operational performance, which in turn pushes full-lifecycle costs down.

Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant – is a production enterprise at Russian Helicopters. Its modern production and technological capacities enable it to quickly launch work on new rotorcrafts, create prototypes and launch series production. In the 75 years of its existence, it has produced over 8,000 aircraft. Today it specialises in producing Mi-8AMT (Mi-171), and the Mi-8AMTSh (Mi-171Sh) helicopters.

Russian Helicopters, (part of State Corporation Rostec), is one of the global leaders in helicopter production and the only helicopter design and production powerhouse in Russia. Russian Helicopters was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Moscow. The company comprises five helicopter production facilities, two design bureaus, a spare parts production and repair facility, as well as an aftersale service branch responsible for maintenance and repair in Russia and all over the world. Its helicopters are popular among Russian ministries and state authorities (Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Emergency Control Ministry), operators (Gazpromavia, UTair), major Russian corporations. In 2014 its IFRS revenues increased 22,8% to RUB 169,8 billion. Deliveries reached 271 helicopters.

State Corporation Rostec is a Russian corporation founded in 2007 for the purpose of promoting the development, production and export of hi-tech civilian and military industry products. It comprises 700 organisations, nine of which have now been formed as holding companies of the military-industrial complex, five of them are involved in civil industries and 22 are directly controlled. Rostec’s portfolio includes recognised brands such as Avtovaz, Kamaz, Russian Helicopters, and VSMPO-AVISMA. Rostec’s organisations are located in 60 constituent entities of the Russian Federation and supply their products to the markets of more than 70 countries. The revenue of Rostec in 2014 amounted to RUB 964.5 billion. The tax deductions into the treasuries at all levels exceeded RUB 147.8 billion.