MILITARY NEW RUSSIAN ROTORCRAFT
A
t MAKS 2017, Russian
Helicopters displayed a
Mi-171Sh-VN helicopter
con gured for special
forces; a variant of the
Mi-8MN but further
developed based
on Russian combat
experience in Syria. The
Mi-8MN was developed
more than ten years ago as a specially
adapted helicopter destined for Russia’s
armed and special forces. It was used for
ongoing counter insurgency operations in the
northern Caucasus and for surveillance and
the pursuit of small rebel groups during day
and night time operations.Special operations helicopter
The Mi-8MN is based on the Mi-8AMTSh built
by Ulan-Ude and forms part of the Antares
airborne reconnaissance-strike system, which
also includes the ground-based 926MB data-
receiving and indication station.
The Mi-8MN is equipped with the
9K113K-8 Shturm-VK-8 missile system (aderivative of the system used on the Mi-
35M) with 9M114 and 9M120 missiles, the
OPS-24N day-night targeting system and
a GOES-342 electro-optical sensor turret
installed under the starboard front fuselage.
A second turret houses the GOES-337
sensor used for surveillance.
A later model of 2010, dubbed the Mi-8MNP,
features an improved Shturm-VK-8M missile
system with the OPS-24N-1 day-night targeting
system and a GOES-337M3 sensor used for
surveillance. Two additional crewmembers
seated in the helicopter’s cabin serve as the
surveillance and communications operators.
The Mi-171Sh-VN on show at MAKS 2017
was the latest Mi-8AMTSh-V manufactured at
Ulan-Ude with the equipment and armament of
the Mi-8MNP installed.
The Mi-8AMTSh-V (Vysotnyi means
high altitude; the Mi-171Sh-V is an export
designation), in production since 2014,
is powered by two Klimov VK-2500-03
turboshafts, an engine rated with a two-and-
a-half minute 2,700shp (2,013kW) power
rating, with one engine inoperative, an
upgraded main transmission gearbox, a morePiotr Butowski covers a range of new Russian helicopter types seen for the fi rst time at
MAKS 2017
New Russian
Rotorcraft
The Mi-171Sh-VN displayed at MAKS loaded
with guided 9M120 Ataka anti-tank missiles,
80mm S-8 unguided rockets, and a forward-fi ring
12.7mm Kord machine gun.The export version of
the Mi-8MN, dubbed the
Mi-171Sh-VN in a digital
colour scheme confi gured
for special operations. All
photos Piotr Butowski