Air International 2014-10
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A.Mladenov - Revitalising a Legend /Paramilitary/
The Mi-171 A2’s rotor hub and blades were derived from those fitted to the Mi-38.
An attractive payload/range capability and a considerable increase in the cruise speed are promised for the Mi-171A2 due to the all-new rotor system and more powerful and fuel-efficient engines.
The X-shaped tail rotor provides better efficiency and produces 20% less noise.
The current production-standard Mi-171A (this one is operated by UTair) is now regarded as an ageing design and Russian commercial operators have raised requirements for a more modern aircraft featuring a rapidly re-configurable cabin and a type certification in accordance to European and US airworthiness requirements.
A forward-facing KOS-17 camera, mounted in the nose of the helicopter, covers a 120° arc in the horizontal plane for enhanced situational awareness.
Only minor cosmetic changes were made from the Mi-171's external layout to reduce development time and costs.
Pall intake filters are intended to provide reliable operation and save the engines from wear and tear in dusty and sandy conditions.
The first prototype Mi-171A2 (OP-1) pictured during its public debut at the MAKS airshow at Zhukovsky near Moscow in August 2013.
Compared to its predecessor, the Mi-171A2’s fuselage structure is almost the same with the only difference being a reinforced floor in order to allow installation of crash-resistant passenger seats.
Four 6x8 in LCD screens show flight/navigation and system information and a central 15 in display provides digital map information or video images derived from the enhanced visibility system.
A computer-generated image of the yet-to-be-developed search and rescue version of the Mi-171A2.