Light helicopters of Russia. Production of light helicopters in Russia

The creation and production of helicopter equipment in Russia began in the twenties of the twentieth century and was aimed at satisfying the interests of the state and its executive bodies. During the existence of the USSR, the main issue was the serial production of medium and heavy helicopters, which were in the service of the armed forces and were used in certain branches of the national economy. Light helicopters were produced in the Soviet period in extremely limited series and were significantly inferior in terms of their technical characteristics and quality to foreign analogues. At present, the situation has changed radically. Now light Russian-made helicopters have an enviable competitiveness and are ready to conquer global markets.

The article will consider some models of small helicopters that are produced in Russia.

Where are light helicopters used?

Currently, Russia's light helicopters are used in the following tasks:

• Patrolling of long pipelines, high voltage power lines, highways and highways;
• Work on environmental monitoring;
• Delivery of small cargoes and postal items;
• Providing business and civil flights;
• Training pilots in flight schools.

This is far from a complete list of industries in which the use of helicopters is advisable, since the number of spheres of their application becomes more and more every day.

Today, Russia's light helicopters are gradually replacing heavy and medium air transport from these areas of use. This is due to the fact that its operation in comparison with small machines is economically inexpedient.

"Mi-34" - the first light helicopter in Russia

Production of small helicopters "Mi-34" began in 1993, when the Open Society "Light Helicopters Mi" was established. The leading Russian companies involved in the construction of air transport, such as the Moscow Helicopter Plant named after ML Mil, the Progress plant of the Arsenyev Aviation Company, the Vyatka Avitek machine-building plant, the Agregat company and other organizations became the initiators of this. The purpose of the company was the development and further production of light helicopters Mi-34 and their modifications, the search for potential buyers, the establishment of service, the repair of such machines, the organization of the training process for pilots and engineering personnel, the development of new types of small Helicopters.

The result of the activity of this enterprise was the creation of the first certificated light helicopter "Mi-34S" in Russia. Such a helicopter is used to transport passengers and cargoes, organize air patrols, train and train pilots, assess the consequences of emergency situations and solve operational problems by municipal and municipal services of cities.

The first light helicopters of Russia "Mi-34S" even today are competitive both in the domestic market and abroad.

Light helicopters "Ansat"

The light helicopter "Ansat" was created by the engineers of the design bureau of OJSC "Kazan Helicopter Plant". For the development of this helicopter model, the employees of the enterprise started back in 1994. The first car climbed into the sky in 1999 and was equipped with an electronic remote control system. Mass production of Ansat began in 2004.

Depending on the configuration, the helicopter can be used to solve emergency rescue, sanitary, patrol and training tasks.

This helicopter is able to transport goods weighing up to 1,300 kilograms and can carry up to nine passengers. The helicopter has good flying-technical characteristics: its range can be 520 km, the cruising speed reaches 240 km / h, the maximum height - 6 thousand meters.

The light helicopters of Russia "Ansat" are in service with the army and the Ministry for Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation.

"Ka-226" - the basis of the helicopter fleet of the Russian Federation

The Ka-226 helicopter is a product of the deep modernization of the light-type helicopters Ka-26 and Ka-126. This air transport retained the best characteristics of its "parents" and gained higher rates in the field of fuel economy and transport quality.

At present, the Ka-226 can be called a workhorse in the line of light helicopters in Russia. After all, he received a new fuselage beam type, consisting of aluminum alloys and fiberglass. The cockpit became more comfortable. It has new equipment that allows you to fly day and night, regardless of weather conditions. The transport cab is removable. This arrangement allows you to install additional passenger seats with a total of up to 9 pieces, equip the helicopter with a medical module, and arrange a special compartment for the transport of goods.

Helikopters "Ka-226" can be used for various purposes. For example, EMERCOM of Russia uses such helicopters to provide emergency rescue operations, as well as sanitary and fire fighting vehicles. Municipal bodies of cities use this transport as an ambulance, for law enforcement and transportation of passengers. For many technical parameters, the light helicopter "Ka-226" surpasses the analogues of foreign production.

Further, light helicopters of Russian production "Berkut" will be considered.

"Berkut" - a new turn in helicopter construction

The light helicopter "Berkut" was developed by a private company "Berkut Aero" and is a direct competitor to western small helicopters. The main difference between the Russian machine and its foreign rivals is the use of a coaxial scheme, which involves the use of two rotor screws instead of one.

The range of such a helicopter can be 600 km, the cruising speed reaches 170 km / h, the maximum flight altitude is up to 3500 meters.

Light helicopters of Russia "Berkut" today have high competitiveness in the market, since they have a lower acquisition cost, do not require high operating costs and can become indispensable and universal assistants in various industries and businesses.

"Afaline" - the newest ultra-light high-speed helicopter

In 2015, the Russian engineers created the newest helicopter, the "Afaline". This model belongs to light two-seater single-motor helicopters, in which a two-screw coaxial scheme is used and the tandem arrangement of the pilots. The "Afaline" can cover a distance of up to 750 km and has a maximum speed of up to 250 km / h.

According to the company-developer, such light helicopters have no analogues either in Russia or abroad. "Afaline" can be refueled with conventional automobile fuel and is a universal assistant to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and other state institutions of Russia.

Light helicopters of Russia in the armament of the army

Light helicopters of Russia can be seen in the armies of the armies of both Russia and the countries of the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Latin America. The military values these machines for their multifunctionality, availability, economy, the ability to use in confined spaces. Light helicopters also are in the arsenal of the naval forces as combat units in the conduct of rescue operations and the evacuation of patients, wounded and injured.

Conclusion

In Russia today there are several dozens of craftsmen who are assembling small helicopters at home. These people invent and construct such machines, lay out to the Internet drawings of light helicopters and share their experience in special forums. For example, one of these masters is Dmitry Dmitriev from Togliatti.

Currently, Russia's light helicopters are gaining increasing popularity and become universal assistants in various fields. Having a low cost of operating costs, they successfully replace medium and heavy machines, which are not always effective in solving specific tasks. Thanks to the rich experience of helicopter construction, Russian light helicopters have high competitiveness indicators in the domestic market and beyond.