NEW RUSSIAN ROTORCRAFT MILITARY
powerful TA-14-130-08 auxiliary power unit,
and updated avionics.
Armament fitted to the helicopter on display
comprised guided 9M120 Ataka anti-tank
missiles, 80mm S-8 unguided rockets, bombs,
a UPK-23 23mm calibre gun pod, and two
forward-firing 12.7mm Kord machine guns
mounted on the sides; with a third machine gun
installed on a mount in the starboard door of
the cargo cabin.
The Mi-171Sh-VN is also equipped with
a glass cockpit adapted for night-vision
goggles; two electro-optical turrets installed
under the forward fuselage, one for targeting
and one for surveillance. According to
information provided by Russian Helicopters,
the Mi-171Sh-VN is fitted with a Prezident-S
self-defence system (the export version of the
Russian L370 Vitebsk system). The helicopter
was painted in pixel camouflage.
Colourful Hip
Arctic operations are not a role immediately
associated with helicopters, but the Mi-
8AMTSh-VA is designed for just that, and two
production versions were on display at MAKS
- The variant is equipped with additional
navigation and communication systems and a
powerful heating system to counter the sub-
zero temperatures in the Arctic.
Due to four additional fuel tanks, two external
and two internal, with a combined capacity
of 6,195 litres (1,363 gallons), the helicopter’s
maximum range is 1,420km (767nm) with a
100kg (220lb) payload.
Although this variant of the Mi-8 was
previously announced, MAKS 2017 was its
public debut. Mi-8AMTSh-VA, side number
72 and 75, were on the Russian Helicopters
display and in the Russian Air Force enclosure
respectively. The Russian Ministry of Defence
received its first three Mi-8AMTSh-VA
helicopters last year and two more this July.Lightweight multirole helicopter
In anticipation of a reduction in orders for
military helicopters from the Russian Ministry
of Defence, Russian Helicopters is developing
a new lightweight helicopter for the civilian
market. A model of the type was on show at
MAKS 2017 for the first time. Dubbed LMV or
Lyogkiy Mnogotselevoy Vertolyot (Lightweight
Multirole Helicopter), the helicopter has a
coaxial configuration with two three-blade
rotors, a short twin tail and landing skids; all
designed to generate a low level of noise and
vibration. The LMV’s single unspecified engine
is likely to be Turbomeca’s Arrius. Designed
with a spacious cabin for five people and a
luggage compartment, the LMV is currently
in its technical design stage. According to
Russian Helicopters’ plan, LMV production
is expected to begin in the 2020-2021
timeframe at the Ulan-Ude plant. The project,
being developed by VR-Technologies, a
Russian Helicopters subsidiary, also uses the
VRT500 designation.Unmanned
VR-Technologies also placed a full-scale
mock-up of its new unmanned VRT300
helicopter for its public debut. Information
available at the show was limited tocommercial operations only, including ground
surface monitoring, photogrammetry and
transport. Typically, this type of unmanned
aerial vehicle is equipped with an electro-
optical turret installed under the nose; a
radar and other payloads can be carried in a
container under the fuselage. Flight testing
of the VRT300 is scheduled for 2018.VRT500 (LMV)
CHARACTERISTICS
Rotor diameter: 8.4m (27ft 7in)
Fuselage length: 8.09m (26ft 6in)
Width: 2.22m (7ft 3in)
Height: 3.76m (12ft 7in)
Max take-off weight: 1,600kg (3,527lb)
Payload: 730kg (1,609lb) or five persons,
including the pilot
Max speed: 135kts (250km/h)
Cruise speed: 121kts (225km/h)
Hovering ceiling: 13,451ft (4,100m)
Service ceiling: 19,751ft (6,020m)
Range: 860km (464nm)
Endurance: 5.8 hoursVRT300 CHARACTERISTICS
Max take-off weight: 300kg (661lb)
Payload: 70kg (154lb)
Max speed: 97kts (180km/h)
Communication range: 100km (54nm)
Endurance: 5 hoursAn all-digital cockpit on the Mi-171Sh-VN.The Mi-8AMTSh-VA
configured and painted
for arctic operations.A military version of the VRT300 parked by a commercial van housing its ground control station.The brand new VRT300 unmanned rotary wing
air vehicle.