Russian Helicopters holding company, Rostec State Corporation, presented, at Idex 2023 its offshore helicopter Mi-171A3, the global premiere of a new rotorcraft designed to benefit petroleum companies.

 

The state-of-the-art helicopter is intended to take people and cargoes to offshore platforms and perform search and rescue operations in the open sea. The Mi-171A3 offers unique transportation functionality in the offshore class. With the maximum takeoff weight of 13 tonnes, this rotorcraft is able to carry up to 4 tonnes of cargo or up to 24 passengers. The flight range of the helicopter with extra fuel tanks reaches 1,000 km. 

 

“The Mi-171A3 helicopter was developed within a record short time span. Design work started in 2018. Two years later, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russian entered into a government contract for rotorcraft development with Russian Helicopters holding company. As early as June 30, 2022, the first Mi-171A3 prototype performed its first flight, thus launching a certification test cycle. The obtainment of type certificate for the cargo transport helicopter configuration in late 2022 is a very meaningful event, confirming the emergence of a new unique domestic helicopter,” said Denis Manturov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.

 

Potential market

“The Middle East has been traditionally interested in our helicopter machinery. These are mainly Mi-8/17 type machines, but Russian Helicopters holding company is now working intensely to promote new commercial models in this market. As we see it, the Mi-171A3 has high export potential. 

 

“This cutting-edge offshore helicopter, designated to carry passengers and cargoes above the sea and to provide services to remote offshore oil platforms, might be of interest to the UAE as Emirati oil is mostly extracted precisely from these offshore fields. The Mi-171A3 meets the needs of the petroleum sector companies, whether domestic or foreign, and the standards of the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP),” CEO of Rostec State Corporation, Sergei Chemezov noted. 

 

The Mi-171A3 features sophisticated onboard radio-electronic equipment package, which ensures safe flying above the sea in the absence of natural landmarks and satellite signal even in poor visibility. The helicopter meets heightened requirements for safety when flying above the water surface. 

 

Emergency landing

The craft is equipped with an emergency landing system with inflatable shock-absorbing airbags. In the case of emergency landings on water, the helicopter’s flotation will be maintained. Passengers and crew members are evacuated onto two inflatable rafts with a capacity of up to 27 people each.

 

Moreover, the Mi-171A3 features front-line navigation equipment, a digital autopilot, mid-air collision warning system. The helicopter boasts a new extra-robust fuselage with extensive employment of composite materials. The upgraded rotor system includes high-performance X-shaped tail rotor and main rotor with composite blades of an improved aerodynamic configuration. Crash-resistant fuel tanks are located in the bottom fuselage modules under the floor of cargo-and-passenger cabin, thus improving helicopter safety level.

 

The rotorcraft has domestic engines VK-2500PS-03 with the BARK-6V-7S automatic regulation and control system from UEC-Klimov. The engine structure secures its operability across all climatic conditions, including maritime, tropical and cold climate, and where impacted by sea fog and seawater.

 

New flagship

“The development of the Mi-171A3 summarises ample experience in operating the “eighths”. The use of state-of-the-art materials and advanced technologies makes this helicopter a new flagship of the Mi-8/17 family. And we expect to use the technical solutions this aircraft represents to come up with new modifications,” Russian Helicopters’ speaker noted. “Late last year, the cargo transport version of the Mi-171A3 was certified by Russia’s aviation authorities. Today, flight tests continue in an attempt to seek approval for the passenger and search-and-rescue versions of the helicopter. Mass production of the helicopters will be handled by Ulan-Ude Aviation Factory, which is already manufacturing parts and accessories for the first batch of new machines.” 

 

The Mi-171A3 represents a versatile platform, which can be used by both petroleum companies and the aviation companies specialising in freight, corporate and VIP transportation, are engaged in firefighting or perform air ambulance service tasks. For example, any operator could re-equip a helicopter on its own to obtain a search-and-rescue configuration by installing a hoist, a searchlight, position finder, electro-optical search system, rescue operator’s automated workstation, rescue equipment kits, and medical modules.-- TradeArabia News Service