https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mil_Mi-8
The Mil Mi-8 (Russian: ??-8, NATO reporting name: Hip) is a medium twin-turbine
helicopter, originally designed by the Soviet Union, and now produced by Russia.
In addition to its most common role as a transport helicopter, the Mi-8 is also
used as an airborne command post, armed gunship, and reconnaissance platform.
Along with the related, more powerful Mil Mi-17, the Mi-8 is among the world's
most-produced helicopters, used by over 50 countries. As of 2015, it is the
third most common operational military aircraft in the world.
During an official visit to the United States in September 1959, Nikita
Khrushchev took a flight in the S-58 presidential helicopter for the first time
and was reportedly extremely impressed. On Khrushchev's return, he ordered the
creation of a similar helicopter, which was to be ready for the return visit by
the American president, to save face. A luxury version of the Mi-4 was quickly
created and Khrushchev took an inspection flight, during which Mikhail Mil
proposed that his helicopter in development was more suitable. However, it would
be necessary to have a second engine for reliability. This gave Mikhail Mil the
power under the orders of Khrushchev to build the original two-engined
helicopter, which for the first time in Soviet history would need purpose-built
turbine engines, rather than those adapted from fixed wing aircraft (as in the
Mil Mi-6 and the first prototype V-8) and an entirely new main rotor gear box
that would be designed in-house for the first time. In May 1960, the order was
given for Mikhail Mil to create his twin engine helicopter. The Sergei Isotov
Design Bureau accepted the task of creating the engines.
The Soviet military originally showed little interest in the Mi-8 until the Bell
UH-1's involvement in the Vietnam war became widely publicised as a great asset
to the United States, allowing troops to move swiftly in and out of a
battlefield and throughout the country. It was only then that the Soviet
military rushed a troop-carrying variant of the Mil Mi-8 into production. By
1967, it had been introduced into the Soviet Air Force as the Mi-8.
There are numerous variants, including the Mi-8T, which, in addition to carrying
24 troops, is armed with rockets and anti-tank guided missiles. The Mil Mi-17
export version is employed by around 20 countries; its equivalent in Russian
service in the Mi-8M series. The only visible difference between the Mi-8 and
Mi-17 is that the tail rotor is on the starboard side (right side) of the Mi-8,
whereas in Mi-17 it is on the port side. Also Mi-17 also has some improved
armour plating for its crew. The naval Mil Mi-14 version is also derived from
the Mi-8. The Mi-8 is constantly improving and the newest version still remains
in production in 2016.
Role
Transport helicopter (also, several armed versions)
Design group
Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant
Built by
Kazan Helicopter Plant
Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant
First flight
7 July 1961
Introduction
1967
Status
In service
Primary users
Soviet Union (historical)
ca. 80 other countries, see Operators below
Produced
Number built
>17,000 and production continues today; world's most-produced helicopter
Variants
Mil Mi-8T/Mi-17
Developed into
Mil Mi-14
The Mi-8 family of helicopters became the main Soviet and later Russian
helicopter covering a large range of roles in both peace time and war time.
Large fleets of Mi-8 and its derivatives are employed by both military and civil
operators.
As such a large number of Mi-8 family helicopters were used during the
in-theater operations and maintenance. A large number of Mi-8 were lost with
several shot down by enemy fire, with the Mi-8 and its derivatives being the
main aircraft model lost by the Soviet Union in Afghanistan.
Specifications (Mi-8T)
General characteristics
Crew: 3 (pilot, copilot, flight engineer)
Capacity: ** 26 passengers or 12 stretchers and seat for 1 medical attendant or
4,000 kg (8,800 lb) on internal/external hardpoints
Length: 18.17 m (59 ft 7 in)
Rotor diameter: 21.29 m (69 ft 10 in)
Height: 5.65 m (18 ft 6 in)
Empty weight: 7,260 kg (16,007 lb)
Loaded weight: 11,100 kg (24,470 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 13,000 kg (26,659 lb)
Fuel max total capacity: 3,700 l (977 US gal)
Performance
Maximum speed: 260 km/h (140 kt)
Cruise speed: 123 knots, 141 mph (230 km/h)
Range: 328 nm, 378 mi (610 km)
Ferry range: 960 km (596 mi)
Service ceiling: 4,500 m (14,765 ft)
Armament
4,000 kg (9,900 lb) of disposable stores on six hardpoints, including 57 mm S-5
rockets, bombs, or 9M17 Phalanga ATGMs.
*
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