The creation and production of helicopter equipment in Russia began in the twenties of the twentieth century and was focused on 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 some sectors of the national economy. Light helicopters were produced in Soviet times in extremely limited series and were significantly inferior to their foreign counterparts in their technical characteristics and quality. Currently, the situation has changed dramatically. Now light Russian-made helicopters have enviable competitiveness and are ready to conquer world markets.
The article will consider some models of small helicopters that are produced in the Russian Federation.
Where are light helicopters used?
Currently, light Russian helicopters are used in the following tasks:
- patrolling long pipelines, high-voltage power lines, highways and highways;
- environmental monitoring work;
- delivery of small goods and mail;
- provision of business flights and civilian flights;
- pilot training in flight schools.
This is not a complete list of industries in which the use of helicopters is advisable, since the number of areas of their application is becoming more and more every day.
Today, light Russian 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 not economically feasible.
Mi-34 - Russia's first light helicopter
The production of small helicopters “Mi-34” dates back to 1993, when the MI Light Helicopters OJSC was established. The initiators of this were the leading Russian companies involved in the construction of air transport, such as the Moscow L. M. Mil Helicopter Plant, the Progress Plant of the Arsenyev Aviation Company, the Vyatka Avitek Machine-Building Plant, the Aggregate Company and other organizations. The purpose of the company was the development and further serial production of Mi-34 light helicopters and their modifications, the search for potential buyers, the establishment of after-sales services, the repair of such machines, the organization of the training process for pilots and engineers, the development of new types of small helicopters.
The result of this enterprise was the creation of the first certified Mi-34S light helicopter in Russia. Such a helicopter is used to transport passengers and cargo, organize air patrols, train and train pilots, assess the consequences of emergencies 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 Ansat helicopters
Ansat light helicopter was created by engineers at the Kazan Helicopter Plant OJSC design bureau. For the development of this helicopter model, employees of the enterprise took up as far back as 1994. The first car flew 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 has the ability to transport goods weighing up to 1300 kilograms and is capable of carrying up to nine passengers. The helicopter has quite good flight technical characteristics: its flight range can be 520 km, cruising speed reaches 240 km / h, and the maximum height is 6 thousand meters.
Ansat light Russian helicopters are in service with the army and the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations.
"Ka-226" - the basis of the helicopter fleet of the Russian Federation
The Ka-226 helicopter is a product of deep modernization of the light helicopters Ka-26 and Ka-126. This air transport has retained the best characteristics of its “parents” and gained higher rates in the field of fuel economy and transportation quality.
Currently, the Ka-226 can be called a “workhorse” in the line of light helicopters in Russia. After all, he received a new beam-type fuselage, consisting of aluminum alloys and fiberglass. The cockpit has become more comfortable. New equipment has appeared in it, which allows you to fly day and night, regardless of weather conditions. The transport cabin is a removable element. This arrangement allows you to install additional passenger seats with a total of up to 9 pieces, equip the helicopter with a medical module, organize a special compartment for transporting goods.
Helicopters "Ka-226" can be used for various purposes. For example, the
Russian Emergencies Ministry uses such helicopters to provide rescue operations, as well as ambulances and fire engines. Municipal authorities of cities use this transport as an ambulance to ensure law and order and transport passengers. In many technical parameters, the light Ka-226 helicopter surpasses foreign-made analogues.
Next will be considered light Russian-made helicopters "Golden Eagle".
"Golden eagle" - a new round in helicopter engineering
The light Golden Eagle helicopter was developed by the private company Golden Eagle 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 rotors instead of one.
The flight range of such a helicopter can be 600 km, cruising speed reaches 170 km / h, and the maximum flight height is up to 3500 meters.
Light Russian helicopters "Berkut" today have high competitiveness in the market, as they have a lower acquisition cost, do not require high operating costs and can become indispensable and universal assistants in various industries and business.
Bottlenose dolphin - the latest ultra-light high-speed helicopter
In 2015, the Russian engineers created the latest Afalina helicopter. This model refers to lightweight twin-seat single-engine helicopters, which use a twin-screw coaxial scheme and tandem pilots. The bottlenose dolphin can cover a distance of up to 750 km and has a maximum speed of up to 250 km / h.
According to the assurance of the developer company, such light helicopters have no more analogues either in Russia or abroad. “Bottlenose dolphin” can be refueled with ordinary automobile fuel and is a universal assistant to the Ministry of Emergencies, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and other state institutions of Russia.
Russian light helicopters in the arsenal of the army
Light Russian helicopters can be seen in service with the armies of both the Russian Federation and the countries of the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Latin America. The military appreciates these machines for their versatility, accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and the ability to use in confined spaces.
Light helicopters are also in service with the naval forces as combat units during emergency rescue operations and the evacuation of patients, wounded and injured.
Conclusion
In Russia today there are several dozen craftsmen who assemble small helicopters at home. These people invent and construct such machines, post drawings of light helicopters on the Internet and share their experience in special forums. For example, one of such masters is Dmitry Dmitriev from the city of Tolyatti.
At present, light Russian helicopters are gaining more and more popularity and are becoming 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 certain problems. Thanks to the rich experience of helicopter engineering, Russian light helicopters have high competitiveness in the domestic market and beyond.