Russian triad of light helicopters - Mi-34S, Ka-226 and Ansat

The first attempts to implement helicopter technology projects were carried out in the USSR in the 20s of the last century. However, mass production was established only after the war. First of all, the state gave preference to medium and heavy vehicles, most of which were used in the army and other structures. Light helicopters were also produced, but in extremely small batches. Today the situation has changed: Russia can produce similar equipment, which is successfully used for civilian purposes and in certain industries displaces its heavy-duty “colleagues”. Below are three of the most popular light multi-purpose helicopters.

Mi-34

The production of these machines began in a difficult year for the country in 1993. At that time, it became clear that the Russian Federation needed a company that would build light helicopters. The idea was supported by several well-known enterprises at once, among which the plant named after. Mile, "Progress" from Arsenievsk, "Unit" and others. As a result, the Mi Light Helicopters company was created, which designed and put into production in 1999 the first domestic serial Mi-34S light helicopter (it was not assembled from scratch - experimental prototype flights were carried out back in 1986). Interesting: according to the NATO classification, he is called Hermit, which means "The Hermit". The standard car was valued at $350. Its purpose:

✅ transportation of goods and transportation of passengers
✅ patrolling gas and oil pipelines, roads
✅ pilot training
✅ participation in rescue operations
✅ ensuring communication between remote areas

The helicopter turned out to be successful - it could not only perform its main job, but also participate in international competitions, performing the most difficult aerobatic maneuvers. For example, such as "barrel" and "dead loop". Previously, not a single Soviet medium or heavy helicopter could "boast" of such achievements.

Design and specifications

The general scheme of the machine is traditional. These are two separately located propellers - carrier and control. The first has 4 blades, the second has 2. The body of the model consists of aluminum alloys and composite materials. The engine, made in the Russian Federation, has 9 cylinders. Initially, it was the M-14, mounted on the Ka-26, with a capacity of 329 liters. With. The Mi-34 version with the Allison 250 power plant was also produced. Technical characteristics of the helicopter:

✅ length, height (with screw), width (cabin) - 11,48, 2,75, 1,27 m, respectively
✅ number of passengers - up to 4
✅ ceiling - 3000 m
✅ speed - 180 km / h
✅ range - 450 km

The latest modification of the machine is the Mi-34S1. Helicopter production was discontinued in 2012. It is assumed that due to lack of competitiveness with the American Robinson R44, which had lower fuel consumption, greater range and speed.

Ka-226T

Work on its creation began in 2008 at the Kamov company. It was a deep modernization of the already used Ka-226. For the first time, a new version appeared at one of the exhibitions in 2011. The main feature of the helicopter is its modularity. Depending on the need, the helicopter could become:

✅ police officer
✅ medical
✅ patrol
✅ cargo
✅ emergency rescue
✅ passenger
✅ agricultural

If the car transports people, a seven-seater version with two doors is offered. For physicians, two versions of the helicopter are provided: resuscitation and evacuation. In the first case, assistance to the patient is provided right in flight, for which there is all the necessary equipment. The transport model is capable of carrying up to 1200 kg of cargo inside the fuselage or 1500 kg on the suspension. If necessary, a platform is mounted instead of the passenger compartment. Also, the helicopter can be based on sea vessels: its blades are folded, and all equipment is insensitive to salty sea water.

Technical parameters and features

The modification "T" was equipped with Arrius 2G1 gas turbine power units manufactured in France (Safran) with a capacity of 580 "horses". Sometimes the car is equipped with Allison 250-C20R / 2 engines, each of which develops 450 hp. With. Other Features:

✅ length, height (with screws) - 8,1 and 4,15 m
✅ takeoff weight - 3,4 tons
✅ ceiling - up to 5200 m
✅ speed - up to 200 km / h
✅ range - 600 km (with additional tanks - 750 km)

Composite materials are used for the manufacture of the hull: propellers, tail, cockpit are made of fiberglass. The updated version of the helicopter is equipped with modern avionics, including control and navigation systems, as well as a meteorological radar. Such equipment makes it possible to fly at night, in strong winds or in other adverse weather conditions. The helicopter can be operated in the temperature range from -50 С° to +50 С°.


This helicopter became the first helicopter in Russia designed exclusively with the help of computer programs. This approach allowed to reduce the cost of developing the machine and simplify the introduction of changes in the future. Ka-226T is produced at two factories - in Ulan-Ude and at the Kumertau enterprise. As for the price, today they are asking for 2008 million rubles for a car made in 36.

Ansat

The helicopter began to be developed in 1994 in Kazan. After 5 years, successful tests were carried out and in 2004 the helicopter went into series. The machine has several configurations related to the tasks to be solved:

✅ patrol
✅ participation in rescue operations
✅ pilot training
✅ transportation of the sick, wounded
✅ extinguishing fires
✅ participation in hostilities

In 2013, Ansat (translated from the Tatar language as “light”, “simple”) was certified and began to be used in civil aviation. At the same time, deliveries of the machine began abroad: the successful demonstration of the helicopter at various exhibitions, including in Le Bourget, contributed to the emergence of demand.

Design and parameters

The helicopter was developed in accordance with international standards. For the first time, a Russian helicopter was equipped with blades fixed in a hingeless way, using torsion bars made of composite materials. Technical details:

✅ length, height - 11,54 and 3,44 m
✅ takeoff weight - up to 3300 kg
✅ ceiling - up to 6000 m
✅ speed - up to 280 km / h
✅ range - 520 km (rescue version of the car will fly 200 km)
✅ the weight of the transported cargo on the suspension - 1,3 tons

The helicopter is controlled by one or two pilots. In the passenger version, the number of seats is 9. The Ansat-RTs model, intended for use in the army, can carry weapons: two Kord-12,7 machine guns, air-to-air missiles (and others), bombs, blocks passive interference and sighting equipment. At the same time, the maximum speed of the RC modification is 285 km / h, and the flight range is 635 km. The helicopter is estimated at 260 million rubles, the closest competitor AS350 (Airbus) costs 700 million rubles.

Light helicopters in Russia today

Since 2012, the production of helicopters has been growing, but deliveries abroad have slightly decreased. This was mainly due to large internal military orders. Since 2017, an increase in demand has begun, associated with the implementation of the State program for the development of air ambulance. Of the latest innovations, it is worth noting the VRT-500. The creators of this machine expect to sell it to Western Europe. Obviously, the electronic "stuffing" and engines will be foreign-made. Competing with EU and US companies is a difficult task. Although it is worth noting here a joint venture in India, where the HAL corporation assembles the Ka-226T military modification. Basically, today, obsolete Mi-2s are used abroad, which are modified.