The next important stage in the modernization of the Mi-8 was the equipping of it with TV3-117VM high-altitude engines, the first samples of which were tested in 1985. For two years, the Mil Design Bureau created a new basic model Mi-8MTV (Mi-17-1V in the export version), capable of taking off and landing at altitudes up to 4000 m and flying at altitudes up to 6000 m. In addition to ceilings, climb rate, range, etc. have increased. The new basic model was distinguished by modern equipment, including a weather radar station and a long-range navigation radio station, had armor, sealed tanks with polyurethane foam filler, bow and stern PKT machine guns, six hanging beam holders and pivot mounts for paratroopers' weapons.
Taking into account the “Afghan” experience, the survivability of parts and assemblies of the helicopter was increased, and for the safety of operation, an emergency splashdown system developed jointly with French companies was installed on the Mi-8MTV. Since 1988, the development of serial production of the Mi-8MTV (Mi-8MTV-1) in Kazan began. The basic model can be used in transport, airborne, air assault, ambulance, ferry versions, as well as in fire support helicopter and mine laying versions.
At the plant in Ulan-Ude, the Mi-8MTV went into production in 1991 with minor changes in equipment under the designation Mi-8AMT (export code - Mi-171). Ulan-Ude helicopter builders have already built several hundred of these machines. In 1997, the Mi-171 in Russia received a type certificate, and two years later - a type certificate in China according to the American FAR-29 standards in passenger and cargo versions for flying over land and water.
Following the Mi-8MTV-1 in the 1990s, the Kazan plant was followed by the basic modifications of the Mi-8MTV-2 and Mi-8MTV-3. Up to 30 paratroopers were placed in their cockpit. These vehicles had reinforced armor and upgraded systems. On the Mi-8MTV-3, only four out of six beam holders remained, but at the same time, the number of possible armament suspension options increased from 8 to 24. The helicopters received a tail rotor with an increased blade chord and increased rigidity of the control wiring, a parachuteless landing system and an onboard boom with a larger carrying capacity.
Mi-8MTV-3 in 1991 served as a prototype for the export modification of the Mi-172, which was certified in 1994 by the Indian aviation register according to the American FAR-29 standards. All the improvements tested on these modifications were introduced in 1992 on the new Mi-17M demonstration model. In addition, an international navigation system and an improved radar were installed on it, the side doors were enlarged, and the rear cargo hatch was redesigned according to the Mi-26 type (with reduced doors and a descending ramp). A large hatch in the floor made it possible to install an external suspension system with a load capacity of 5 tons.
This demonstration model served as the basis for the creation of the Mi-8MTV-5 (Mi-17MD) in 1997, which is very successful in the international aviation market. Under an agreement with a Canadian company, Kazan helicopter builders are also working on a joint modification of the Mi-17KF. In 1998, modified versions of the Mi-171 and Mi-172 received a domestic type certificate according to the American FAR-29 standards. They were assigned the designations Mi-171A and Mi-172A.
After the collapse of the USSR, the Mi-8 crews continue to perform their difficult military duty in the hot spots of Russia and the CIS. "Eights" were widely used during the conflicts in Nagorno-Karabakh, Abkhazia and Tajikistan. The unique high-altitude characteristics of the Mi-8MTV made them indispensable in high-altitude areas. Only they can provide combat operations at altitudes above 3500-4000 m.
They were widely used during counterterrorist operations in Chechnya. In 1995, several Mi-8 squadrons operated here, which were used primarily for the transfer of personnel, their replacement in positions, the supply of ammunition and food, the removal of the wounded and sick, as well as the evacuation of refugees and the provision of comprehensive humanitarian assistance to the population.
Modification: Mi-8MTV
Main propeller diameter, m: 21.30
Tail rotor diameter, m: 3.91
Length, m: 18.42
Height, m: 5.34
Weight, kg
- empty: 7381
- normal takeoff: 11100
-maximum takeoff: 13000
Engine type: 2 x GTE TV3-117VM
- power, kW: 2 x 1639
Maximum speed, km/h: 250
Cruise speed, km/h: 230
Practical range, km: 500
Rate of climb, m/min: 540
Practical ceiling, m: 6000
Static ceiling, m: 3980
Crew, people: 2-3
Payload: up to 24 passengers or 12 stretchers with attendants or 4000 kg of cargo in the cabin or 4000 kg on the suspension.
Helicopter Mi-8MTV-1 in the parking lot.
Towing helicopter Mi-8MTV-2 of the Russian Air Force.
general information
Helicopters of the Mi-8/17 type developed are one of the most successful developments of the Russian helicopter school. High flight performance, reliability, the ability to operate in a wide range of conditions and temperatures (from -50 to +50 degrees Celsius), versatility, ease of operation and maintenance - these are the qualities that allowed operators to gain confidence in these helicopters around the world.
The areas of application for Mi-8/17 helicopters are expanding due to constant modernization and the possibility of equipping the helicopter with a wide range of additional equipment to perform various tasks.
- Cargo Mi-8/17 helicopter version is the base one and allows to transport various loads weighing up to 4000 kg inside the cargo compartment or on an external sling.
- Passenger option allows you to carry up to 26 passengers. The helicopter features low noise and vibration levels, is equipped with an in-cabin climate control system, and has emergency exits in accordance with modern safety rules. Everything is thought out in it to provide passengers with comfort and safety during the flight. VIP-option Mi-8/17 helicopter is designed to carry from 7 to 14 passengers in high comfort conditions. The interior of the helicopter is developed according to individual sketches in accordance with the wishes of the customer. The helicopter features the largest cabin in its class and is ideal for accommodating luxury equipment. The VIP version can be equipped with entertainment systems, satellite communication equipment, special communication and other equipment at the request of the customer.
- search and rescue The version of the Mi-8/17 helicopter makes it possible to effectively search and rescue victims around the clock in any weather. The helicopter is equipped with special equipment: searchlights, winches, loudspeakers and radar systems. The search and rescue variant is used by specialists from Ministries of Emergency Situations in various countries around the world.
- fire fighting The version of the Mi-8/17 helicopter provides fire extinguishing with the help of a spillway device on an external sling, which allows delivering up to 4000 liters of water and dumping it onto the fire with high accuracy. The helicopter is able to deliver fire brigades and special equipment to the extinguishing zone.
Helicopters of the Mi-8/17 type are produced at the Russian Helicopters holding company. As of 2014, more than 12,000 such machines have been produced, which is a world record among twin-engine helicopters. They have been supplied to more than 100 countries around the world, their total flight time is about 100 million hours.
The following civilian models of the Mi-8/17 type are currently being produced: Mi-8AMT, Mi-8MTV-1, Mi-171, Mi-171A1 And Mi-172.
That the Armed Forces of Belarus received new Mi-8MTV 5-1 helicopters.
The transfer of six Mi-8MTV-5 helicopters took place in September this year. The vehicles were placed at the disposal of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Belarus. The delivered helicopters are the first batch under the contract for the supply of twelve Mi-8MTV-5 military helicopters, which was signed by representatives of the Russian Helicopters holding during the Army-2015 International Military-Technical Forum. The transfer of the next batch of six cars is scheduled for 2017.
The means of combat survivability include: armored protection of the cockpit and vital systems, screen-exhaust devices for engines that reduce infrared radiation, protection and polyurethane foam protection of fuel tanks, a fire protection system, duplication and redundancy of sources of hydro- and power supply and main control circuits.
Mi-8MTV-5 is equipped with beam holders, which can accommodate: bombs with a total mass of up to 2 tons, up to 4 pieces, blocks of unguided rockets, guided missiles, removable gun mounts caliber 23 mm. Small arms (up to 8 firing points): bow PKT machine gun, aft PKT machine gun, AKM assault rifles, PK and RPK machine guns on the sides
The cockpit has special night vision equipment. It allows you to fly in the dark at low altitudes, as well as land and take off from non-equipped sites. In addition, the helicopter is equipped with modern communication systems.
Possibilities:
Transportation and operational disembarkation;
Transportation on a stretcher accompanied by medical staff;
Transportation of goods in the cargo compartment - up to 4000 kg;
Destruction of enemy forces, including armored vehicles, surface targets, structures, fortified; firing points and other moving and fixed targets;
Landing fire support;
Escort of military columns;
Search and rescue operations, reconnaissance operations, patrols /
The Mi-8MTV-5 has changed doors and hatches, the shape of the bow. A left door extended by 0.4 m and an additional standard size right door are installed. Instead of manually folding cargo flaps, a ramp is installed that opens using a hydraulic drive, which reduces the time it takes to prepare the helicopter for loading and unloading and avoids manual operations. The fuselage design makes it possible to upgrade the helicopter and equip it with additional equipment. The helicopter can be equipped with a dust protection device. The forward part of the fuselage has a nose cone rising up, which allows access for servicing the equipment placed there.
50 years ago, on August 2, 1962, the first prototype of the Mi-8 multi-purpose helicopter took off for the first time. Mi-8 (according to NATO classification Hip)- Soviet and Russian multi-purpose helicopter, created by the Design Bureau of M. L. Mil in the early 60s of the last century. Currently is the most massive twin-engine helicopter in the world, and is also one of the most massive helicopters in the history of aviation. Widely used to solve a large number of civil and military tasks.
The helicopter has been in service with the Soviet Air Force since 1967 and proved to be such a successful type of equipment that its purchases for the Russian Air Force continue to this day. Wherein Mi-8 helicopter is operated in more than 50 countries of the world, including countries such as China, India and Iran.
Over its half-century history of serial production and design work to improve this helicopter, Soviet and Russian designers have created about 130 different modifications, more than 13,000 machines of this type have been produced. Today these are Mi-8MTV-1, MTV-2, MTV-5, Mi-8AMTSh, Mi-171, Mi-172 helicopters.
In 2012, the Mi-8 is not just a hero of the day - it is a first-class multifunctional helicopter, which today is one of the most successful products of the domestic helicopter industry. Even after 50 years, the car is in demand all over the world and is purchased even by NATO member states. From 2006 to 2008, 26 Mi-171Sh military transport helicopters were delivered to the Czech Republic and Croatia.
To date, the plants for the production of Mi-8/17 JSC "Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant" and JSC "Kazan Helicopter Plant", which are part of the holding company "Helicopters of Russia" are operating stably and are loaded with orders for the production of these helicopters for 2 years in advance. At the same time, work on the modernization of this machine is continuously ongoing.
OAO Moscow Helicopter Plant named after Today M.L.Milya is assembling the first prototype of the upgraded version of the Mi-171A2 helicopter, and the technical appearance of this helicopter has also been determined. The helicopter was created on the basis of the Mi-171 helicopter and should become a worthy development option for the entire family of Mi-8 helicopters.
It is planned that these helicopters will receive new avionics, and composite materials will be used in the design of the machine, which will make the helicopter much lighter. In addition to this modernization, all the main units and systems of the machine were upgraded, its flight and technical characteristics were improved. Total modernization provides for about 80 innovations. At the same time, the helicopter crew will be reduced to 2 people, which will significantly affect its economic efficiency.
Throughout its history, Mi-8 family helicopters have taken part in a large number of local conflicts, they have saved thousands of human lives, withstood severe Siberian frosts, catastrophic heat and sudden temperature changes, desert dust and tropical downpours. Mi-8s flew at extremely low altitudes and high in the mountains, were based outside the airfield network and landed in hard-to-reach places with minimal maintenance, each time proving their high reliability and efficiency.
Created in the middle of the last century, the Mi-8 multi-purpose helicopter is still one of the most in demand in its class today and will be in demand on the Russian and world aviation markets for many years to come. Over the long years of production, the Mi-8 has become the basis for many unique developments, for example, the Mi-14 "amphibious helicopter".
The design of the Mi-8 helicopter
The Mi-8 helicopter is made according to a single-rotor scheme with a tail rotor, a tricycle landing gear and two gas turbine engines. The fuselage of the machine has a frame structure and consists of the nose, central, tail and end beams. In the nose of the helicopter there is a cockpit for three people: two pilots and a flight engineer. The cockpit glazing provides the helicopter crew with a good overview, the right and left blisters are movable and equipped with emergency drop mechanisms.
In the central part of the fuselage there was a cabin measuring 5.34 x 2.25 x 1.8 meters. In the transport version, it had a cargo hatch with flaps, which increased its length to 7.82 m. and a central sliding door measuring 0.62 by 1.4 meters, which had an emergency drop mechanism. An electric winch and mooring units were located on the floor of the cargo compartment, and an electric winch boom was installed above the door itself.
The cargo compartment of the helicopter was designed to transport cargo weighing up to 4 tons. and was equipped with folding seats that could accommodate 24 passengers, there were also attachment points for 12 stretchers. At the request of the customer, an external cargo suspension system can be installed on the helicopter: 2500 kg articulated-pendulum and 3000 kg cable, as well as a winch with a lifting capacity of 150 kg.
In the passenger version of the helicopter, the cabin had dimensions of 6.36 x 2.05 x 1.7 meters and was equipped with 28 seats, which were placed in 2 rows from each side with a step of 0.74 m and a passage of 0.3 m. In the rear of the cabin on the right side there was a wardrobe, and in the back of the wings there was an opening for the rear entrance door, which consisted of a ladder and doors.
The tail boom of the helicopter had a riveted design of a beam-stringer type and was equipped with a working skin. It was equipped with nodes for attaching the tail support and a controlled stabilizer. The helicopter was equipped with a stabilizer with a size of 2.7 m and an area of 2 m 2 with a NACA 0012 profile; its design was single-spar.
The landing gear of the helicopter was tricycle, non-retractable. The front landing gear was self-orienting and consisted of 2 wheels measuring 535 x 185 mm. The main bearings of the uniform type helicopter were equipped with liquid-gas two-chamber shock absorbers and wheels measuring 865 x 280 mm. The helicopter also had a tailwheel, which served to prevent the tail rotor from touching the ground. The support consisted of a shock absorber, 2 struts and a support heel. The chassis track was 4.5 meters, the chassis base was 4.26 meters.
The power plant of the helicopter included two turboshaft gas turbine engines with a free turbine TV2-117AT production of the St. Petersburg NPO them. V.Ya.Klimova. On Mi-8T helicopters, its power was 1250 kW, on Mi-8MT, AMT and MTB, a TVZ-117MT turbine with a capacity of 1435 kW was installed. Gas turbine engines were mounted on top of the fuselage and covered with a common hood with opening doors. The helicopter engines were equipped with dust protection devices, their weight was 330 kg.
Fuel system included a consumable fuel tank with a capacity of 445 liters, a right outboard tank with a capacity of 680 or 1030 liters, a left outboard tank with a capacity of 745 or 1140 liters, and an additional tank in the cargo compartment with a capacity of 915 liters.
The transmission of the helicopter consisted of 3 gearboxes: main, intermediate and tail, main rotor and brake shafts. The main gearbox of the helicopter transfers power from the engines, which have an output shaft speed of 12,000 rpm, to the main rotor at a speed of 192 rpm, as well as the tail rotor at a speed of 1,124 rpm and the fan - 6,021 rpm, which serves to cool the main gearbox and engine oil coolers. The total weight of the helicopter oil system is 60 kg.
The control of the helicopter was duplicated, with cable and hard wiring, as well as hydraulic boosters, which were driven from the backup and main hydraulic systems. The existing four-channel autopilot AP-34B provided the helicopter with stabilization in flight in heading, roll, altitude and pitch. The main hydraulic system of the helicopter ensured the operation of all hydraulic units, the pressure in the system was 4.5 MPa, the backup system provided only the operation of hydraulic boosters, the pressure in it was 6.5 MPa.
The Mi-8 helicopter was equipped with a ventilation and heating system that supplied cold and heated air to the passenger and crew cabins. The helicopter also had an anti-icing system that protected the tail and main rotor blades, as well as the engine air intakes and the front windows of the cockpit, from icing.
Equipment for instrument flights in difficult weather conditions, as well as at night, included an artificial horizon, a combined heading system, a radio altimeter, an automatic radio compass and 2 rotor speed indicators.
Mi-8AMTSh
Currently, the Russian Armed Forces continue to purchase Mi-8 helicopters. As part of the state defense order, until 2020, Mi-8AMTSh vehicles should be delivered to the troops. Mi-8AMTSH is an attack military transport helicopter(export designation Mi-171Sh).
The helicopter is designed to fight against armored ground, surface, mobile and stationary small targets, to destroy enemy manpower, transport troops, cargo, wounded, as well as perform search and rescue operations. The helicopter was developed at the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant in close cooperation with JSC MVZ im. M.L. Mile.
To solve combat missions, the helicopter can be equipped with a missile and small arms and cannon armament system, as well as a set of means of protection against damage, sanitary and airborne transport equipment, as well as instrumentation and electronic equipment, which allows the helicopter to fly at any time of the day, including in difficult weather conditions.
At the same time, the conversion of the Mi-8AMTSh helicopter from a combat version to an ambulance or airborne transport version does not require much time and can be carried out directly during the preparation for the flight to perform the corresponding task.
To increase the combat survivability of the machine, this helicopter is equipped with:
- Automatic reflector reset ASO-2V;
- screen-exhaust devices of the EED;
- a set of removable armor plates that cover the crew;
— protected outboard fuel tanks;
— fuel tanks with polyurethane foam filler.
The vehicle crew includes:
- commander - left pilot, is engaged in piloting a helicopter, aiming and using unguided weapons, when launching guided missiles, performs the "launch" mode;
- second pilot, is engaged in piloting a helicopter to help the crew commander; performs the functions of the operator of the Shturm-V complex when searching for targets, launching and aiming at the target of guided missiles, and also performs the duties of a navigator;
- flight mechanic, in addition to performing its regular functions, it also performs the functions of a gunner for the stern and bow machine gun installations.
The main distinguishing feature of the Mi-8AMTSh helicopters was the inclusion of modern Shturm-V ATGMs and Igla-V air-to-air missiles in their armament. The complex of high-precision guided missiles "Shturm" makes it possible to effectively hit armored vehicles, including those equipped with dynamic protection, low-speed air targets, manpower and enemy fortified points.
In terms of the complex of possible weapons, the MI-8AMTSh came close to, while having a greater variability of use.
Helicopters of Russia and the world (video, photo, pictures watch online) occupy an important place in the overall system of the national economy and the Armed Forces, honorably fulfilling the civil and military tasks assigned to them. According to the figurative expression of the outstanding Soviet scientist and designer ML. Mile, “our country itself is, as it were, “designed” for helicopters.” Without them, the development of the boundless and impassable spaces of the Far North, Siberia and the Far East is unthinkable. Helicopters have become a familiar element of the landscape of our grandiose construction projects. They are widely used as a vehicle, in agriculture, construction, rescue service, military affairs. When performing a number of operations, helicopters are simply irreplaceable. Who knows how many people's health was saved by the helicopter crews who took part in the aftermath of the Chernobyl accident. The lives of thousands of Soviet soldiers were saved by combat "turntables" in Afghanistan.
Before becoming one of the main modern transport, technological and combat vehicles, Russian helicopters have come a long and not always smooth path of development. The idea of lifting into the air with the help of a main rotor originated among mankind almost earlier than the idea of flying on a fixed wing. In the early stages of the history of aviation and aeronautics, the creation of lift by "screwing into the air" was more popular than other methods. This explains the abundance of rotary-wing aircraft projects in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Only four years separate the flight of the Wright brothers' plane (1903) from the first lift of a man into the air by helicopter (1907).
The best helicopters were used by scientists and inventors, they hesitated for a long time which method to prefer. However, by the end of the first decade of the XX century. less energy-intensive and simpler in terms of aerodynamics, dynamics and strength, the aircraft took the lead. His successes were impressive. Almost 30 years passed before the creators of helicopters finally managed to make their devices workable. Already during the Second World War, helicopters went into mass production and began to be used. After the end of the war, the so-called "helicopter boom" arose. Numerous firms began to build samples of new promising technology, but not all attempts were successful.
Combat helicopters of Russia and the United States It was still more difficult to build than an aircraft of a similar class. Military and civilian customers were in no hurry to put a new type of aviation equipment on a par with the already familiar aircraft. Only the effective use of helicopters by Americans in the early 50s. in the war in Korea convinced a number of military leaders, including Soviet ones, of the advisability of using this aircraft by the armed forces. However, many, as before, continued to consider the helicopter "a temporary delusion of aviation." It took another ten years until helicopters finally proved their exclusivity and indispensability in performing a number of military tasks.
Russian helicopters have played a big role in the creation and development of Russian and Soviet scientists, designers and inventors. Their significance is so great that it even gave rise to one of the founders of the domestic helicopter industry, Academician B.N. Yuriev to consider our state as the "birthplace of helicopters." This statement, of course, is too categorical, but our helicopter pilots have something to be proud of. These are the scientific works of the school of N.E. Zhukovsky in the pre-revolutionary period and the impressive flights of the TsAGI 1-EA helicopter in the pre-war years, the records of the post-war Mi-4, Mi-6, Mi-12, Mi-24 helicopters and the unique Ka family of coaxial helicopters, modern Mi-26 and Ka-32 and much, much more.
The new Russian helicopter is relatively well covered in books and articles. Shortly before his death, B.N. Yuryev began to write the fundamental work "The History of Helicopters", but managed to prepare only the chapters relating to his own work in 1908 - 1914. It should be noted that insufficient attention to the history of such an aviation industry as helicopter construction is also characteristic of foreign researchers.
Military helicopters of Russia in a new way illuminating the history of the development of helicopters and their theories in pre-revolutionary Russia, the contribution of domestic scientists and inventors to the global process of development of this type of equipment. A review of pre-revolutionary domestic works on rotary-wing aircraft, including previously unknown ones, as well as their analysis, were given in the corresponding chapter in the book "Aviation in Russia", prepared for publication in 1988 by TsAGI. However, its small size significantly limited the size of the information provided.
Civil helicopters in their best colors. An attempt has been made to cover the activities of domestic helicopter industry enthusiasts as fully and comprehensively as possible. Therefore, the activities of leading domestic scientists and designers are described, as well as projects and proposals are considered, the authors of which were significantly inferior to them in terms of their knowledge, but whose contribution could not be ignored. Moreover, in some projects, which generally differed in a relatively low level of development, there are also interesting proposals and ideas.
The name of the helicopters denoted significant qualitative changes in this type of equipment. Such events are the beginning of a continuous and systematic development of helicopter projects; the construction of the first full-scale helicopters capable of taking off the ground, and the beginning of mass production and practical use of helicopters. This book chronicles the early history of helicopter engineering, from the concept of propeller lift into the air to the creation of the first helicopters capable of taking off from the ground. A helicopter, unlike an airplane, a flywheel and a rocket, does not have direct prototypes in nature. However, the screw that creates the lifting force of the helicopter has been known since ancient times.
Small Helicopters Despite the fact that propellers were known and there were empirical prototypes of helicopters, the idea of using a main rotor to lift into the air did not become widespread until the end of the 18th century. All the rotorcraft projects being developed at that time remained unknown and were found in the archives many centuries later. As a rule, information about the development of such projects has been preserved in the archives of the most prominent scientists of their time, such as Guo Hong, L. da Vinci, R. Hooke, M.V. Lomonosov, who in 1754 created an "airfield machine".
Private helicopters in a short time were created literally dozens of new designs. It was a competition of the most diverse schemes and forms, as a rule, one- or two-seat apparatus, which had mainly an experimental purpose. The military departments were a natural customer for this expensive and complex equipment. The first helicopters in different countries were assigned to communications and reconnaissance military vehicles. In the development of helicopters, as in many other areas of technology, two lines of development can be clearly distinguished - but the dimensions of the machines, that is, the quantitative one, and the line of development of the qualitative improvement of aircraft within a certain size or weight category that almost simultaneously arose.
Site about helicopters which contains the most complete description. Whether the helicopter is used for geological exploration, agricultural work or for the transport of passengers - the determining role is played by the cost of an hour of operation of the helicopter. A large share of it is depreciation, that is, the price divided by its service life. The latter is determined by the resource of the aggregates, r, e. by their service life. The problem of increasing the fatigue strength of blades, shafts and transmissions, main rotor bushings and other helicopter units has become a paramount task that still occupies helicopter designers. Nowadays, a resource of 1000 hours is no longer a rarity for a serial helicopter, and there is no reason to doubt its further increase.
Modern helicopters comparing the combat capabilities of the original video has been preserved. The image found in some publications is an approximate reconstruction, and not entirely indisputable, carried out in 1947 by N.I. Kamov. However, a number of conclusions can be drawn on the basis of the archival documents cited. Judging by the test method (suspension on blocks), the "airfield machine" was undoubtedly a vertical take-off and landing apparatus. Of the two methods of vertical lift known at that time - with the help of flapping wings or by means of a main rotor - the first seems unlikely. The protocol says that the wings moved horizontally. In most flyers, they are known to move in a vertical plane. A flywheel whose wings oscillate in a horizontal plane with an installation angle that changes cyclically, despite repeated attempts, has not yet been built.
The best helicopter design is always directed to the future. However, in order to more clearly imagine the possibilities for further development of helicopters, it is useful to try to understand the main directions of their development from past experience. What is interesting here, of course, is not the prehistory of helicopter construction, which we will only briefly mention, but its history from the moment when the helicopter, as a new type of aircraft, was already suitable for practical use. The first mention of a device with a vertical propeller - a helicopter is contained in the notes of Leonardo da Vinci dating back to 1483. The first stage of development stretches from the model of a helicopter created by M. V. Lomonosov in 1754, through a long series of projects, models and even built-in devices that were not destined to take to the air, to the construction of the world's first helicopter, which in 1907 managed to get off the ground .
The fastest helicopter in the outlines of this machine, we recognize the schematic diagram of the most common single-rotor helicopters in the world now. B. I. Yuryev managed to return to this work only in 1925. In 1932, a group of engineers, headed by A. M. Cheremukhitsnch, built a TsAGI 1-EA helicopter, which reached a flight altitude of 600 m and stayed in the air 18 m / w, which was an outstanding achievement for that time. Suffice it to say that the official flight altitude record, set 3 years later on the new Breguet coaxial helicopter, was only 180 m. At this time, there was a pause in the development of helicopters (helicopters). A new branch of rotorcraft, gyroplanes, came to the fore.
The new Russian helicopter, with a greater load on the wing area, came face to face with the then new spin problem of loss of speed. It turned out to be easier to create a safe and sufficiently perfect autogyro than to build a helicopter helicopter. The main rotor, freely rotating from the oncoming flow, eliminated the need for complex gearboxes and transmissions. The articulated attachment of the main rotor blades to the hub used on gyroplanes provided them with much greater strength, and stability for the gyroplane. Finally, stopping the engine was no longer dangerous, as was the case with the first helicopters: by autorotating the gyroplane, it was easy to land at low speed.
Large helicopters for landing marines from ships determined the further development of the military helicopter industry as a transport and landing. The landing by S-55 helicopters of the American troops at Inchon during the Korean War (1951) confirmed this trend. The size range of transport and assault helicopters began to be determined by the dimensions and weight of ground vehicles used by the troops and which had to be airlifted. Therefore, the carrying capacity of the first transport helicopters in foreign armies was 1200-1600 kg (the weight of a light military vehicle used as a tractor and related guns).
USSR helicopters correspond to the weight of light and medium tanks or corresponding self-propelled chassis. Whether this line of development will be completed in such a range of dimensions depends on the ever-changing military doctrine. Artillery systems are mostly being replaced by rockets, which is why we find demands from the foreign press as well. Power did not lead to an increase in payload. Indeed, but to the technical level of that time, the weight of propellers, gearboxes for the entire apparatus as a whole increased with an increase in power faster than the lifting force increased. However, when creating a new useful and even more so new for national economic application, the designer cannot put up with a decrease in the achieved level of weight return.
Soviet helicopters, the first samples, were created in a relatively short time, since the specific gravity of piston engines always decreased with increasing power. But in 1953, after the creation of the 13-ton Sikorsky S-56 helicopter with two 2300-hp piston engines. with the size range of helicopters in the Zapal was interrupted and only in the USSR, using turboprop engines. In the mid-fifties, the reliability of helicopters became much higher, therefore, the possibilities of their use in the national economy also expanded. Economic issues came to the fore.
