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| Mi-8 | |
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| Role | Transport helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant |
| First flight | 9 July 1961 |
| Introduced | 1967 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | Soviet Union ca. 80 other countries |
| Produced | 1961 — |
| Number built | >12,000 |
| Unit cost | $5-8 million (2006) |
| Variants | Mil Mi-14 Mil Mi-17 Mil Mi-24 |
The Mil Mi-8 (NATO reporting name "Hip") is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. The first single-engine (AI-24W) prototype, W-8, flew in 9 July 1961. A second one with two AI-24W engines made its first flight on 17 September 1962. After few changes it was introduced into the Soviet Air Force by 1967 as Mi-8.
The Mi-8 is the world's second most-produced helicopter[1], and is used by over 50 countries. There are numerous variants, including the Mi-8T which is armed with rockets and anti-tank guided missiles, in addition to carrying twenty four soldiers. The Mil Mi-17 export version is employed by around 20 countries; its equivalent in Russian service in the Mi-8M series. The naval Mil Mi-14 and attack Mil Mi-24 are also derived from the Mi-8.
Contents |
Operational service
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Please help improve this section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (December 2007) |
Use in Finland
The Finnish Defence Forces and the Finnish Border Guard have been using Mi-8s since the 1970s. Six Mi-8Ts were first obtained, followed by a further two Mi-8Ts and two Mi-8Ps. Three of the helicopters were given to the Border Guard Wing. One of these was lost after sinking through the ice during a landing. This was soon replaced by a new Mi-8. After their Border Guard service, the helicopters were transferred to the civil register, but shortly thereafter to the Finnish Air Force. In 1997 it was decided that all helicopters, including the remaining five Mi-8Ts and two Mi-8Ps should be transferred to the Army Wing at Utti. Two Mi-8s are still in active service (as of 2007), since deliveries of NH90 helicopters have been delayed for more than 3 years due to delays in the type approval certificate. One Mi-8 is now exhibited at the Finnish Aviation Museum in Vantaa, and one is in Päijänne Tavastia Aviation Museum in Asikkala, near Lahti.
Variants
Prototypes/experimental/low production variants
- V-8 (NATO - Hip-A)
- The original single-engined prototype.
- V-8A
- A twin-engined prototype, featuring TV2-117 turboshaft engines, the prototype underwent further modifications during its life.
- V-8AT
- Prototype of the Mi-8T utility version.
- Mi-8 (NATO - Hip-B)
- Twin-engined prototype.
- Mi-8TG
- Conversion to operate on LPG gas.
- Mi-18
- Prototype helicopter design, a modification of the existing Mil Mi-8. Two Mi-8s were extended by 0.9 meters (3 ft), the landing gear made retractable, and a sliding door added to the starboard side of the fuselage. The Mi-18s were used in the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and later used as static training airframes for pilots of the Mi-8/17.
Basic military transport/airframe variants
- Mi-8T (NATO - Hip-C)
- First mass production utility transport version, it can carry four UV-16-57 unguided rocket pods, (with S-5 rockets), on four weapons pylons on two sub-wings, and is armed with a side mounted PK machine gun.
- Mi-8TV
- Armed version of the Mi-8T.
- Mi-8TVK (NATO - Hip-E, aka Mi-8TB)
- Version used as a gunship or direct air support platform. Airframe modifications add 2x external hard points for a total of 6, and mount a flexible 12.7 mm (0.5-inch) KV-4 machine gun in the nose. Armament of 57 mm S-5 rockets, six UV-32-57 rocket pods, 551-lb (250-kg) bombs, or four AT-2 Swatter ATGMs.
- Mi-8TBK (NATO - Hip-F)
- Armed export version, fitted with six launch rails to carry and fire Malyutka missiles.
Command and electronic warfare variants
- Mi-8IV (NATO - Hip-G, for export - Mi-9)
- Airborne command post version characterized by antennas, and Doppler radar on tail boom (based on Mi-8T airframe).
- Mi-8PPA (NATO - Hip-K)
- Airborne jamming platform characterized by 6x “X”-shaped antennas on the aft fuselage. Built only for export.
- Mi-8PD
- Polish airborne command post version.
- Mi-8PS (NATO - Hip-D, aka Mi-8TPS)
- Radio relay and command post version.
- Mi-8SMV (NATO - Hip-J)
- Airborne jamming platform characterized by small boxes on the left side of the fuselage. Used for protection of ground attack aircraft against enemy air defenses.
- Mi-8VPK (NATO - Hip-D, aka Mi-8VZPU)
- Airborne communications platform with rectangular communication canisters mounted on weapons racks.
Other military variants
- Mi-8AV
- Minelaying version.
- Mi-8VT
- Mine-clearing version.
- Mi-8MB
- Military ambulance version.
- Mi-8R
- Reconnaissance version.
- Mi-8K
- Artillery observation, reconnaissance version.
- Mi-8PT
- Military staff transport version, fitted with improved radio equipment.
- Mi-8SKA
- Photo-reconnaissance version.
- Mi-8T(K)
- Photo-reconnaissance version.
- Mi-8TZ
- Fuel transport tanker version.
Civil variants
- Mi-8T (NATO - Hip-C)
- Civilian and military utility transport version, with accommodation for 24 passengers, fitted with tip-up seats along the cabin walls and circular cabin windows. The Mi-8T is powered by two 1,677-shp (1250-kW) Klimov TV2-117A turboshaft engines, giving the helicopter a maximum speed of 155mph (250km/h) at sea level.
- Mi-8P
- Civilian passenger transport version, with accommodation for between 28 and 32 passengers, fitted with square cabin windows, powered by two 1,700-hp (1268-kW) Klimov TV2-117A turboshaft engines.
- Mi-8S "Salon"
- Civilian VIP transport version, with accommodation for between 9 and 11 passengers, equipped with a galley and toilet.
- Mi-8MPS
- Search and rescue version (operated usually in Malaysia for Fire and Rescue Department services).
- Mi-8MA
- Polar exploration version for use in the Arctic.
- Mi-8MT
- Flying crane version.
- Mi-8AT
- Civilian transport version, fitted with two improved TV2-117AG turboshaft engines.
- Mi-8ATS
- Agricultural version, fitted with a hopper and spray bars.
- Mi-8TL
- Air accident investigation version.
- Mi-8TM
- Upgraded transport version, fitted with a weather radar.
- Mi-8TS
- Hot and high desert version.
- Mi-8VIP
- De luxe VIP transport version, with accommodation for between 7 and 9 passengers.
Operators
Military Operators
Afghanistan- 65 have been acquired by the Afghan Air Force, with deliveries of 30 Mi-8 since 1971, and 35 Mi-17 since 1987.[2]
Albania- At least 1 Mi-8T has been acquired by the Albanian Air Force during the mid 1990s from Ukraine.[2]
Algeria
Angola
Anguilla
Armenia- 13 in service.[3]
Azerbaijan- 13 Mi-17s in service
Belarus
Bangladesh- 43 Mi-17s and some Mi-8/Mi-8 MTVs in service
Bhutan- 7 Mi-8s in service
Bosnia and Herzegovina- 3 Mi-8s in service
Bulgaria- 18 Mi-8s in service
Burkina Faso- 5 Mi-8s in service
Cambodia- 6 Mi-8/17s in service
China- 250 Mi-8/17s in service
Colombia- 10 Mi-17 in service
Croatia- 15 Mi-8MTVs in service, 10 new Mi-171Sh entered service in 2007
Cuba
Czech Republic- 40 Mi-8/17s in service
Djibouti- 3 Mi-8s in service
East Germany- East German Air Force, Volksmarine
Ecuador
Egypt- 42 Mi-8s in service
Estonia
Ethiopia- 12 Mi-8s in service
Finland- Finnish Army, 2 of total 11 Mi-8 in service, 1 stored (will be withdraw from use in 2008/9)
Germany- Ex-Eastern Germany helicopters
Georgia- 18 Mi-8T/MTV helicopters in service
Ghana- Ghana Air Force
Guinea-Bissau- 1 Mi-8T in service
Hungary- 23 Mil Mi-8 helicopters in service
Israel- 11 Mil Mi-8 helicopters
India- 134 Mi-8s in service of Indian Air Force
Indonesia- 10 Mi-17 was in order in 2006
Iran- 52 Mi-8/17s in service
Iraq
Kazakhstan
Kenya- Used by the police for patrols acquired second hand in 2001
Kyrgyzstan- 8 Mi-8s are in service of Iraq Air Force
Laos
Latvia- 4 Mi-8/17MTV in service
Libya
Lithuania- 9 Mi-8MTV in service
Macedonia- 6 in service
Madagascar
Malaysia
Montenegro- 5 inoperable condition
Maldives
Mali
Mexico- 3 in service
Moldova- 8 in service
Mongolia
Mozambique
Myanmar- 12 in service
Nepal
Nicaragua
North Korea
Pakistan
Peru- 14 Mi-17s in service
Poland
Romania
Russia
Serbia- 15 Mi-8's and 2 Mi-17's in service
Sri Lanka
Slovakia
Somalia
Soviet Union- Soviet Air Force, Soviet Army Aviation and Soviet Naval Aviation. Passed on to successor states
Sudan
Syria
Tajikistan
Turkmenistan
Uganda
Ukraine- Used by the Ukrainian Airmobile Forces, Ukrainian Air Force and Ukrainian Ground Forces
Uzbekistan
United States- Used by the 6th Special Operations Squadron for training
Vietnam
Venezuela- (Mi-17)
Yemen
Yugoslavia- Operated about 93 Mi-8T helicopters, passed on to successor states
Zambia
- On October 15, 2006, India agreed to acquire 80 Mi-17 helicopters from Russia in a deal worth approximately US$662 million dollars.[4]
Civil Operators
- Azerbaijan
- Azerbaijan Airlines (Mi-8T)
- Bulgaria
- Balkan Bulgarian Airlines
- People's Republic of China
- Vertical de Aviacion
- Helistar
- Heliandes
- Helicol
- Cuba
- Aerogaviota
- Estonia
- Border Guard
- Germany
- German Police
- India
- Jagson Airlines
New Zealand- Heli Harvest Ltd. (2x Mi-8MTV-1) based in Taupo
- Soviet Union
- Aeroflot
- Russia
- Slovakia
- Air Transport Europe
South Africa- UTAir S.A.
- Turkmenistan
- Turkmenistan Airlines
- United States
- Blackwater USA
- Vietnam
- VASCO - Vietnam Air Services
Specifications (Mi-8T)
General characteristics
- Crew: Three two pilots and one engineer
- Capacity: 24 passengers or 3,000 kg (6,600 lb) on internal/external hardpoints.
- Length: 18.2 m (59 ft 8 in)
- Rotor diameter: 21.3 m (69 ft 11 in)
- Height: 3.00 m (9 ft 10 in)
- Disc area: 356 m² (3,830 ft²)
- Empty weight: 6,990 kg (15,410 lb)
- Loaded weight: 11,100 kg (24,500 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 12,000 kg (26,500 lb)
- Powerplant: 2× Klimov TV2-117 turboshafts, 1,105 kW (1,482 shp) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 240 km/h (156 mph)
- Range: 450 km (280 mi)
- Service ceiling 4,500 m (14,760 ft)
- Rate of climb: 539 m/s (1,770 ft/min)
- Fuel consumption: 600 kg/h (1,320 lb/h)
Armament
- up to 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) of disposable stores on six hardpoints, including 57 mm S-5 rockets, bombs, or 9M17 Phalanga ATGMs.
See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
References
- ^ MIL Moscow helicopter plant website: "Concerning the number of machines built, the Mi-8 has been surpassed only by the Bell 204/205/212 family of light utility helicopters"
- ^ a b "Historical Listings", World Air Forces.
- ^ "World Military Aircraft Inventory", Aerospace Source Book 2007, Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 15, 2007.
- ^ Mosnews.com
The initial version of this article was based on material from aviation.ru. It has been released under the GFDL by the copyright holder.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
- Mi-8/Mi-17 section at www.aviation.ru
- Mi-8 Photo Gallery
- Mi-8 walkaround from Lutzk
- Mi-8PPA walkaround on ScaleModels.ru
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