|
|
|||
|
Golden Jubilee For Mil
For the fifty years since its foundation in 1947, the design bureau has developed and put into mass production 12 major platforms, being the Mi-1, Mi-2, Mi-4, Mi-6, Mi-8, Mi-10, Mi-10K, Mi-14, Mi-17, Mi-24, Mi-26 and Mi-34. In terms of the ratio between experimental and production models, Mil reliably holds the first place. Mil helicopters set over 150 various world's records. Sinelshikov is especially proud of the 105-tonne giant Mi-12, which, in 1967, lifted a 40-tonne load - a record which is unlikely to be beaten by any other rotorcraft. In all, over 30,000 Mi helicopters have been assembled in Russia and Poland, which is roughly one-third of the world's output. Their total payload capability equals that for all rotorcraft built by all other rotorcraft manufacturers. Helicopter inventories of CIS countries are 95% of Mil designs. Almost 100% of rotorcraft in service with Russia's Border Guard Service, Police and Ministry of Emergencies are Mi-2s, Mi-8s, Mi-24 and Mi-26s. Russia has exported over 7,000 Mil aircraft abroad. Sinelshikov says that together with Sukhoi fighters, Mil helicopters allows Russia to keep leading positions on the market for military aircraft. According to Sinelshikov, Mil's products bring Russia some $400 million annually. The history of the world-famous developer started on 12 December 1947, when the USSR's Council of Ministers ordered the foundation of a new experimental design bureau (OKB-4) under supervision of Mikhail Mil. Until 1951, the design bureau had been based in Zhukovski (40 km south-east of Moscow) and Tushino (within the city). Then it moved to Factory No. 3 in Sokolniki (a suburb of Moscow), and, in 1967, was renamed the "Moscow Helicopter Plant." In the early 60s the company obtained a new pilot plant in Panki, Moscow region. Since then its workers and engineers have been responsible for the assembly of development prototypes, which then undergo flight-testing at Mil's flight test and research station located at Tchkalovskaya Airport, also near Moscow. The first Mil design to enter mass production was the Mi-1 three-seat piston helicopter intended for liaison, training, reconnaissance, medical and agricultural missions. In all, 2,694 Mi-1s were built in 1950-1965. In 1952 it was followed by a three-times heavier Mi-4 multipurpose helicopter, copied in 3,852 examples, for civilian and military users. The Mi-4 had over 40 modifications and was delivered to 34 countries. The company shifted to turbine powerplants with the Mi-6 heavy-lift rotorcraft (926 copies, 1959-80), which was later replaced on the production line by the Mi-26 (over 280 copies since 1980; production continues). In parallel, from 1967 to 1975, the USSR received 55 Mi- 10s, including 19 Mi-10K flying cranes. The 40-tonne Mi-6, capable of lifting a 12 t load, was exported to Bulgaria, Indonesia, Egypt, Iraq, Vietnam, Syria and Peru. The Mi-2 light multipurpose helicopter, designed as a successor to the Mi-1, entered production in 1965. PZL Swidnik continues production of its B-3 derivative created in Poland with Mil's assistance. In all, 5,440 Mi-2s were built. For a number of reasons, the USSR leadership lost interest in light helicopters in the late 60s. Because of this, Mil flew its Mi-34 only in 1986, but, again due to a lack of interest from the main customers, this model obtained type certificate only in 1995. So far 15 examples have been completed, and Mil hopes that this model, featuring outstanding maneuverability and low operational expenses, will finally find many applications in its home country and abroad. The most successful model of all times, regarded as a classic, the Mi-8 and its derivatives (Mi-8MT and Mi-17 with more powerful TV- 3-117 engines in lieu of the original TV-2-117s) have been built in over 11,000 copies and still remain in production. In addition to that total, 273 Mi-14 amphibian helicopters, based on the Mi-8 design, were built in 1975-86. The latest members in the family are the Mi-8MTV-5 with night-flying equipment and a large cargo ramp and the Mi-8AMTSh armed with Ataka anti-tank and Igla-V anti-aircraft missiles. Together with Kazan Helicopters and the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, Mil continues modernisation of the major production models, considering their unification with the Mi-38 currently under development. MVZ was the first manufacturer to create a dedicated battlefield helicopter. The Mi-24 entered mass production in 1970, and was built in almost 2,600 copies. Exported to 20 countries, the helicopter participated in over 30 military conflicts. The Mi-24 showed its lethality and survivability in Afghanistan, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. Mil company says that during the early years of the war between Iran and Iraq the ratio between downed Mi-24s and destroyed tanks stood at 1:16. In air-to-air combat the Iraqi Mi-24s also fared well - they destroyed 54 aerial targets, including one F-4 Phantom. Combat-proven, the Mi-24 holds an important place in the military aviation inventories of many nations. Mil and Rostvertol are offering upgrade and life-extension programmes for the long-serving Mi-24s, including fitting them with the Mi-28's rotor system.
Several hundred Mil helicopters - Mi-6, -8, and -26 - played a key role in the liquidation of consequences of the nuclear reactor explosion at the Chernobyl power station. This gives Mil people the right to say "Mil helicopters saved the world." For thousands of soldiers and officers who fought in Afghanistan and Chechnya the Mi-8 is a sight of salvation - in heavy conditions, often under enemy's fire, the helicopter pilots rescued many wounded servicemen by means of quick evacuation to hospitals.
 Speaking about the future, Georgy Sinelshikov says that modernisation programs for the basic production models are the most promising area of activity for Mil company in the current economic conditions. In parallel, Mil will continue development of the Mi-28N all-weather anti- tank helicopter and, together with Eurocopter, the Mi-38 mid-weight transport helicopter. Sinelshikov says that if successful, the Mil Mi-38 project will allow the company to have a steady financial position in the next century. Apart from the joint project with Eurocopter, Mil is in negotiations with Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. Speaking on behalf of the US company, Sergei Sikorski said that he hopes to see practical results of the current talks with Mil in the air within two years' time.
|
Speaking on behalf of the company at a gala evening on 11 December, Georgy Sinelshikov, General Director and General Designer, said that Mil's 50th anniversary is a jubilee for the entire Russian helicopter industry, which includes civil and military research establishments, production and repair factories, maintenance facilities and avionics suppliers. Currently, over 95% of all rotorcraft in the national inventory are various "Mi" models.
Col Gen Vitaly Pavlov, Land Forces Aviation commander, said that aside from being the most "flying" and "combat" helicopters in the world, Mil helicopters have also allowed Russia to play an important role in peace-keeping and relief operations in Africa, Middle East, Europe, Latin America and other corners of the world. Over 600 Russian military helicopter pilots have been cited with UN awards. In UN colours, Mil helicopters with Russian crews delivered food and other essentials to many places in Africa and other continents.
