Russian Helicopters To Demo “Arctic” Mi-8AMTSh At Army Expo

Russian Helicopters, part of State Corporation Rostec, will feature a full-scale sample of Mi-8AMTSh-VA at a private showing during the International Military and Technical Forum ARMY-2016. The first batch of these helicopters is already being used by the Russian Defense Ministry and they are designed for a wide range of tasks in the Arctic.

Moscow - Russian Helicopters, part of State Corporation Rostec, will feature a full-scale sample of Mi-8AMTSh-VA at a private showing during the International Military and Technical Forum ARMY-2016. The first batch of these helicopters is already being used by the Russian Defense Ministry and they are designed for a wide range of tasks in the Arctic. Compared with the basic version of the Mi-8AMTSh, the new Arctic Mi-8AMTSh-VA has a number of design solutions related to its use in northern latitudes. Among its main design features is a unique technology of heating the oil system and transmission units. The system allows for a quick engine launch with autonomous and non-hangar helicopter storage at temperatures as low as -60degreeC.

"Technical solutions implemented in the Arctic version of Mi-8AMTSh-VA can be used not only in the interest of the Russian Defense Ministry but also for civilian projects. These helicopters might interest those who have businesses related to the Arctic region - such as oil and gas companies, exploration and transport enterprises, "- said Vladislav Savelyev, Director of Public Procurement and Military-Technical Cooperation at Russian Helicopters.

Based on the state contracts, the Russian Defense Ministry will receive a batch of Mi-8AMTSh-Vas already in 2016 and another batch is planned to be delivered in 2017. All phases of the State Defense Order, as before, will be completed by Russian Helicopters on time.

The helicopter is adapted for long distance flights. It is equipped with additional external fuel tanks that increase the flight range. To perform tasks in areas with no reference points and during the polar night the Mi-8AMTSh-VA has the latest flight navigation and radio communication equipment including digital autopilot and inertial navigation system that operates in the absence of satellite signals. Safety is greatly enhanced by a digital autopilot, marine immersion suits for pilots, liferafts, airspace surveillance system that warns crews of approaching aircraft. The Mi-8AMTSh-VA is also equipped with additional thermal insulation and equipment for heating food for the crew members and personnel.

Russian Helicopters, (part of State Corporation Rostec), is one of the global leaders in helicopter production and the only helicopter design and production powerhouse in Russia. Russian Helicopters was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Moscow. The company comprises five helicopter production facilities, two design bureaus, a spare parts production and repair facility, as well as an aftersale service branch responsible for maintenance and repair in Russia and all over the world. Its helicopters are popular among Russian ministries and state authorities (Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Emergency Control Ministry), operators (Gazpromavia, UTair), major Russian corporations. In 2015 its IFRS revenues increased 29.5% to RUB 220.0 billion. Deliveries reached 212 helicopters. State Corporation Rostec is a Russian corporation founded in 2007 for the purpose of promoting the development, production and export of hi-tech civilian and military industry products. It comprises 700 organisations, nine of which have now been formed as holding companies of the military-industrial complex, six of them are involved in civil industries and 32 are directly controlled. Rostec's portfolio includes recognised brands such as Avtovaz, Kamaz, Kalashnikov Concern, Russian Helicopters, and VSMPO-AVISMA.

Rostec's organisations are located in 60 constituent entities of the Russian Federation and supply their products to the markets of more than 70 countries. The revenue of Rostec in 2015 amounted to RUB 1.140 trillion. Average salaries within the Corporation amounted to RUB 41 thousand and tax deductions into the treasuries at all levels exceeded RUB 160 billion. According to the new Rostec strategy, the new main goal of the Corporation is to facilitate technological advantage of Russia at highly competitive international markets. Planned volume of investments into development until 2025 is RUB 4.3 trillion