Mil Mi-38

The Mil Mi-38 is a transport helicopter designed by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and being developed by Kazan Helicopters. Originally intended as a replacement for the Mil Mi-8 and the Mi-17, it is being marketed in both military and civil versions.[6] It flew for the first time on 22 December 2003 and was certified on 30 December 2015.[7]

Mi-38
A Mi-38 (OP-3) at HeliRussia 2011
Role Medium transport helicopter
National origin Russia
Manufacturer Kazan Helicopters
Design group Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant
First flight 22 December 2003[1]
Introduction 2 December 2019 (Mi-38T)[2]
Status In service[2]
Number built 13 (4 test and 9 serial)[3][2][4][5]

History

The Mi-38's development was carried out by Kazan Helicopters since early 1980s[3] and a mockup was first shown during the 1989 Paris Air Show. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Kazan Helicopters went into collaboration with Eurocopter that was to adapt the Mi-38 for international market. In September 1994, Euromil JSC was established and funding of the programme began a month later. Sextant and Pratt & Whitney Canada were also to participate in the programme as suppliers of Mi-38's avionics and powerplant equipment. Initially, the helicopter was to be first flight tested in 1999, but only on 18 August 1999 a contract was signed for completion of the first demonstrator. In 2001, testing of Mi-38's rotor blades was carried out on a Mi-17 helicopter. The first Mi-38 demonstrator (PT-1) performed its maiden flight above the Kazan Helicopters plant on 22 December 2003.[1]

The second prototype (OP-2), powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127/TS engines, made its first flight on 2 December 2010. The prototype is also equipped with the IBKO-38 or IBKV-38 aviation complex, developed by Transas Aviation, which implements a concept of a glass cockpit for the Mi-38.[6] The same month, OP-2 performed its first long-haul flight from Kazan to Moscow, which covers more than 800 km.[8]

In March 2013, the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale has confirmed the Mi-38 prototypes have already set five records in the E1h class. The second prototype aircraft set an altitude record by reaching 8,620 meters (28,280 feet) without a payload. The second and third records were for climbing speed; the Mi-38 reached a height of 3,000 meters (9,843 feet) in six minutes, then followed this to reach 6,000 meters (19,685 feet) in 10 minutes and 52 seconds. Two further records were altitude records: the first was set at 7,895 meters (25,902 feet) with a 1,000-kg (2,205-lb) payload, the second at 7,020 meters (23,031 feet) with a 2,000-kg (4,409-lb) payload.[9]

The third prototype (OP-3), began its flight tests on 17 December 2013. The helicopter is equipped with a pair of Russian Klimov TV7-117V turboshaft engines,[10] which produce about 2,100 kW (2,800 shp) as opposed to 1,900 kW (2,500 shp) for the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127/TS.[11]

The fourth and final prototype (OP-4), first took off on 16 October 2014. Same as the OP-3, it is powered by Klimov TV7-117V engines but differs from the third prototype by its impact-resistant fuel system and enlarged portholes.[12]

An Mi-38T of the Russian Aerospace Forces.

On 30 December 2015, Rosaviatsiya certified the Mi-38, completing the testing and certification program and allowing for the delivery of the first production model. Certification was based on the third and fourth flight-test prototypes with 1,900 kW (2,500 shp) Klimov TV7-117V engines.[13]

In July 2017, a contract for delivery of first two serial Mi-38s to the Russian Defence Ministry was signed.[4] The Kazan Helicopters plant launched the serial production of the helicopter on 10 January 2018. In total, the Russian Defence Ministry planned to purchase about 15 helicopters until 2020.[14]

On 23 November 2018, military variant, Mi-38T, performed its maiden flight.[15][16] The new variant was developed to meet the Russian MoD's new requirements for the helicopter and due to international sanctions imposed on Russia, all of its components, including engines and avionics, are Russian-made.[11] Deputy Managing Director at Kazan Helicopters Vadim Ligai stated that the Mi-38 can now carry up to 40 passengers.[17] The Russian Defence Ministry took delivery of the first two serial Mi-38s in December 2019.[2][4] In January 2020, Russian Helicopters announced that it had received orders from an unspecified export customer (reported by Russian media sources to be in the Middle East) for Mi-38Ts in "transport and increased comfort cabin configurations", with delivery from 2021 to 2022.[18] The RF Defense Ministry ordered 2 more Mi-38s in increased comfort cabin configuration in August 2020 and the Ministry of Emergency Situations ordered 9 in August 2021.[19][20]

In 2023, the Government of Zimbabwe was gifted an Mi-38 helicopter by Russian President Vladimir Putin, during the Second Russia-Africa Summit hosted in Saint Petersburg.[21][22][23] This follows the delivery of a number of Kazan Ansat helicopters for the Zimbabwe Republic Police, as well as a new air ambulance service for the country.[24][25]

Variants
Mi-38-1
Western version of the Mi-38, powered by Pratt & Whitney PW127TS engines.[26] Flew to an altitude above 8,000 m (26,000 ft) in flight testing.[27]
Mi-38-2
Russian version of the Mi-38, powered by Klimov TV7-117V engines.[26]
Mi-38T
Russian military version of the Mi-38.

Operators

 Russia

 Zimbabwe

Specifications (Mi-38)

Data from Mi-38 booklet[28]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Capacity: 30 max / 6,000 kg (13,000 lb) internal payload / 7,000 kg (15,000 lb) external payload
  • Length: 20.282 m (66 ft 7 in) excluding rotors
  • Height: 6.992 m (22 ft 11 in) to top of rotor head
  • Gross weight: 14,200[29] kg (31,306 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 15,600 kg (34,392 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Klimov TV7-117V turboshaft engines, 2,100 kW (2,800 hp) each
  • Main rotor diameter: 6 × 21.1 m (69 ft 3 in)
  • Main rotor area: 349.67[29] m2 (3,763.8 sq ft)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 300 km/h (190 mph, 160 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 250 km/h (160 mph, 130 kn)
  • Range: 880 km (550 mi, 480 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 6,300 m (20,700 ft)
  • Hover ceiling OGE: 3,100 m (10,200 ft)
  • Disk loading: 44.6 kg/m2 (9.1 lb/sq ft) max[29]
  • Power/mass: 0.1675 kW/kg (0.1019 hp/lb)[29]

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References
  1. "EuroMil's Mi-38 collaboration makes first flight". Flight Global. 6 January 2004. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  2. Karnozov, Vladimir (6 December 2019). "Russian air and space force receives first Mi-38T". AINonline. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  3. "Прототип нового российского многоцелевого вертолета Ми-38 отправлен на летные испытания". TASS. 20 October 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  4. Butowski, Piotr (March 2020). "Two Mi-38Ts for Russia's defence ministry". Air International. p. 53. ISSN 0306-5634. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  5. "Rostec delivers the first serial produced Mi-38 to a client".
  6. "Second Mi-38 Prototype Begins Testing". Archived from the original on 25 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  7. "В преддверии HeliRussia 2013". Archived from the original on 25 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  8. "Mi-38 transport cargo medevac helicopter technical data sheet specifications information description". armyrecognition.com/. 2 December 2010. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  9. Drwiega, Andrew (26 March 2013). "FAI confirms Mi-38 is a five-time record breaker". Rotor & Wing. ISSN 2473-2958. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  10. "Состоялся первый полет нового вертолета Ми-38 с российскими двигателями ТВ7-117В". Russian Helicopters. 17 December 2013. Archived from the original on 16 January 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  11. "Mil Mi-38". military-today.com. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  12. "Предсерийный прототип Ми-38 производства "Вертолетов России" совершил первый полет". Russian Helicopters. 20 October 2014. Archived from the original on 14 November 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  13. Perry, Dominic (4 January 2016). "Russia certificates new Mi-38 helicopter". London: Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  14. "Серийное производство пяти средних Ми-38 запущено в Казани". Interfax. 10 January 2018. Archived from the original on 22 February 2018. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  15. "Первый полет опытного вертолета Ми-38Т для Министерства обороны России". bmpd.livejournal.com. 24 November 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  16. "Janes | Latest defence and security news". 27 November 2018. Archived from the original on 28 November 2018.
  17. "Russia's new military transport helicopter performs debut flight". TASS. 23 November 2018.
  18. Butowski, Piotr (April 2020). "Russian Review: Flurry of Export Orders for Russian Industry". Air International. Vol. 98, no. 4. p. 62. ISSN 0306-5634.
  19. "ЦАМТО / Новости / "Вертолеты России" поставят Минобороны РФ два вертолета Ми-38".
  20. "ЦАМТО / / МЧС подписало контракт на закупку девяти вертолетов Ми-38 для обеспечения безопасности Севморпути".
  21. Mandizha, Ruva J. (2023-07-27). "Russian President Vladimir Putin Gifts President Emmerson Mnangagwa With Presidential Chopper". iHarare News. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  22. "Putin gives helicopter to Zimbabwean president as gift". TASS. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  23. Staff Reporter (2023-07-27). "Putin gifts Zimbabwe president a helicopter on sidelines of Russia-Africa summit". The Zimbabwe Mail. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  24. Martin, Guy (2023-05-19). "Zimbabwe gets new VIP jet, Russian helicopters". defenceWeb. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  25. "Карточка вертолёта: Миль · Ми-38-2 · Z-LCT (зав.н. 26005) ✈ russianplanes.net ✈ наша авиация". russianplanes.net. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  26. "Fourth Mi-38 commences tests" (PDF). Industry – News. Take-off: Russia's National Aerospace Magazine. November 2014. p. 30.
  27. Peskov, Aleksey (30 August 2019). "Третий день МАКСа. В чем сила, Пратт?" [The third day of MAKS. What's the power, Pratt?]. Военно-промышленный курьер [Military Industrial Courier] (in Russian). Vol. 46, no. 909.
  28. "Mi-38 utility helicopter" (PDF) (Press release). Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  29. Jackson, Paul, ed. (2000). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 2000–01 (91st ed.). Coulsdon, Surrey, United Kingdom: Jane's Information Group. pp. 431–432. ISBN 978-0710620118.

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