Article Posted on : - Jun 09, 2010

The Mi-17 helicopter. A Russian Helicopters photo

BERLIN (BNS): A range of Russian helicopters are on display at the ILA Berlin Air Show 2010 which opened here on Tuesday.

The helicopters on display include the multi-role medium Mi-17, Ka-32A11BC, and the multi-role light Ka-226T, Russian Helicopters, JSC, the leading designer and manufacturer of Russian helicopters, said.

The multi-purpose helicopters have been designed to perform a number of tasks including transport, search and rescue and relief missions.

Meanwhile, the company has said it intends to complete the design, development and flight testing of the new Mi-171M helicopters by the end of 2012 and start their serial production in 2013.

The new advanced helicopters, based on the Mi-171s, are being developed to replace the medium twin-turbine Mi-8/17 transport helicopters.

The Mi-171 will have an improved power train, a new rotor system, modernised avionics suite, improved performance and economy, a new operating paradigm. The chopper’s crew capacity is likely to be brought down while its cargo capacity and flying speed will be enhanced.

The Mi-171M project was launched in 2009. The first prototype of the helicopter is expected to be rolled out by 2011, the company said.