When back in the XV century, a brilliant inventor and artist Leonardo da Vinci created the project of the aircraft, he had no idea how far ahead of his time.Only in the twentieth century.came the first machine operation, using the principle of the great Italian.
Brief History helicopter
first experiments on the construction of the current model of the helicopter back to the early twentieth century, when the gasoline engine with a capacity sufficient to ensure the lift rotor.Among the pioneers were the helicopter and Russian designers: Igor Sikorsky (created two working models) and Boris Yuryev (invented mechanism skew screws).Start of the Second World War has spurred research into the helicopter, and in the 40s created the first production models of helicopters.Almost immediately, the new aircraft are interested in war, but the US war in Vietnam fully disclose the combat potential of helicopters.
birth of the legendary "eight"
The Soviet Union tried to keep up a potential opponent in the creation of helicopters, so there were two design bureaus, Kamov and Mil, developing rotorcraft.Aviation enthusiasts know that these aircraft designers use different schemes for their cars.If Kamova helicopters have two coaxial screws rotating in the opposite direction relative to each other, the machine is used to rotate the Mil tail rotor.According to the technical project, the development of the Mi-8 was planned as the modernization of the main Soviet Air Force helicopter Mi-4 began in 1959.But the designer was able, with the support of Khrushchev, to insist on the creation of practically new machine.Thus was born the legendary "eight" - the most widespread and most recognizable Soviet helicopter.On this basis there have been many modifications, some of these machines are electronic warfare, secret until now.
Modification export
Due to the fact that "eight" very quickly became popular not only in the USSR but also interested foreign allies, it was decided to create a special modification of a helicopter for delivery to foreign markets.If you compare the Mi-8 and Mi-17, namely, an index gained export machine, it immediately catches the eye of a helicopter main difference: the tail rotor on the tail boom is on the left (from the Mi-8 - on the right).It was also envisaged amendments to the structure of the seventeenth, as required by a particular operator.The Mi-17 is produced in Kazan and Ulan-Ude.
design
Structurally, Mi-8 and Mi-17 are actually the same model.The main difference lies in the arrangement of the tail rotor, its direction of rotation and shortened gondolas powertrains.Rotor fitted with vibration damper, the blades are made of fiberglass.The Mi-17 is equipped with two gas turbine power plant capacity of 1400 kW.In the event of failure of one unit, it is possible to continue the flight on the remaining engine.As transmission used gearbox VR-14.The Mi-17 uses the equipment providing flying in adverse weather conditions and at night, and military modifications - the unit shooting thermal traps and chaff.As armament used gun GS-23 and a heavy machine gun.It is also possible to place a variety of fighting installation on an external sling.
Mi-17: Specifications
Power engine helicopter 2h1400 kW rotor diameter of 21.29 meters, speed: maximum - 250 km / h cruising - 240 km / h, range -465 kilometers.As we can see, at the Mi-17 characteristics are at a high level and do not lag behind the parameters more modern machines.
Major modifications
Since 1981, when the Mi-17 helicopter got his start in life, was released a large number of modifications, both in civil and military versions.Consider some of them.Mi-17P is designed for passenger transport, there is his version of "Beauty", which is used for VIP-persons.Rescue helicopter Mi-17, a photo of which is shown in the article, has an index of M is equipped with a boom winch and airborne searchlight to find objects in the night.Mi-17-1B - transport vehicle with high engine power and load capacity.Among other things, it is designed for landings.In this case, the external load is set standard weapons.
modern version
In the late 80-ies of XX century was modernized Mi-17, which was issued under the symbol Mi-171.At its base it was developed flying hospital Mi-171VA equipped operating room.It was intended to provide emergency medical assistance and evacuation of the injured from remote areas.Mi-172 - a helicopter to transport passengers with increased capacity of the new power plant.On the basis of the Mi-17 is designed as a flying "ecological laboratory", which is designed to monitor the environment.The helicopter is equipped with apparatus for sensing the earth's surface and atmosphere, radiological monitoring and analysis of the ecological condition of the area.Firefighter option for localization and liquidation of the fire in inaccessible and remote areas and in the forest.Equipped with a drain device, totaling 2 cubic meters.The following modification of the helicopter - the Mi-17PL - a jammer phased array.It is designed to suppress the radars and anti-aircraft missile systems, disruption of enemy air defense systems.The system allows you to choose the most effective form of interference for specific sources of radio emission.Mi-17MD - upgraded Mi-17 helicopter (photo improved contours of the forward fuselage is presented in the article).For a quick loading and unloading of paratroopers have been increased to 1.25 meters interior sliding doors on the port side.Provided, in the case of an emergency landing on water, the flotation system consisting of four ballonets, which are filled with gas for half a minute and maintained the helicopter afloat thirty seconds.The helicopter can be equipped with additional equipment and tanks.
main operators
From the beginning of production of the Mi-17 helicopters have gained immense popularity in different parts of the globe.And even now, surpassing its thirtieth anniversary, these machines conquer the sky nearly a hundred countries and serving in the United Nations.They can be found on every continent, from hot to cold of Antarctica Africa.Helicopters produce a variety of delivery of goods and passengers, extinguish fires and evacuate the wounded at war.The most numerous fleet of Mi-17 belongs to Russia and countries of the former Soviet Union.From foreign countries, using these machines in both the civilian and in the military sphere can distinguish India, Iraq, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, Sudan and Turkey.I would especially like to note aircraft in Iraq and Afghanistan.To replenish its Pentagon concluded with "Rosoboronexport" contract for the delivery of the order of hundreds of Mi-17 helicopters.The United States that have very well-developed aircraft industry, acknowledged that the Russian helicopter most fully adapted for operation at high altitudes and deserts, reliable and unpretentious service.On the basis of these supplies, even a conflict between the US Army and US lawmakers: The Pentagon has demanded that sanctions imposed against Russia did not concern a contract for Mi-17 helicopters.Also of interest is the fact that, for use in the police force Mi-17 selected countries such as Romania, Sudan, Turkey and South Korea.Based on the foregoing, we can conclude that on such successful cars as the Mi-8 - 17, no power time itself, and although it has been more than 50 years since the first helicopter of this model took off, this car is stilldemand and has a good resource for further modernization.
