Russian Mil Mi-8 & Mi-17 Multi Mission Helicopters

Hey all, this is Military Weapons and today's video is all about the Mil Mi-8 helicopter. Let's get started. The Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine helicopter originally designed by the Soviet Union and now produced by Russia. In addition to its most common role as a transport helicopter, the Mi-8 is also used as an airborne command post, armed gunship, and reconnaissance platform. Along with the related, more powerful Mil Mi-17, the Mi-8 is among the world's most produced helicopters, used by over 50 countries. As of 2015, when combined, the two helicopters are the third most common operational military aircraft in the world. The Mil Mi-8, western reporting name HIP, is one of the most prolific utility helicopters ever built, with over 7,300 examples manufactured since 1961. The combat-proven Mi-8 is rugged and dependable, large numbers remain in widespread use. The Mi-8 and improved Mi-17 variant continue to form the backbone of the Russian Army Aviation's combat transport force. They also serve with over 70 other air arms worldwide. The most widely built version for military customers is the Mi-8T HIP-C, the standard utility transport. The Mi-8TB HIP-E armed derivative packs a heavy punch with a trainable machine gun, bombs, rockets, and anti-tank guided missiles. The baseline Mi-8 is operated by a crew of three, including pilot, co-pilot, and flight engineer. It can carry up to 24 fully equipped troops. Combat experience in Chechnya has led to a development with a night attack capability. This is equipped with a night vision goggles compatible cockpit, forward-looking infrared, and laser rangefinder. Mil has also produced a shore-based Mi-8 derivative as the Mi-14 Haze for a variety of naval roles, including anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, and mine countermeasures. The most significant current operator is the Russian Naval Aviation. The Mil helicopter plant designed a new Mi-38, which is a proposed replacement for the aging Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters. It made its maiden flight in 2003 and is currently in pre-production stage. The Mi-38 is marketed for both military and civil applications. Mi-17 HIP Multi-Mission Helicopter Mi-17 is an improved version of the Mi-8 with greater altitude and environmental performance. The improved version of the Mi-8 is the Mi-17 HIP multi-purpose helicopter, also known as the Mi-8 TMB. It is specifically designed for improved capabilities at high altitudes and in hot weather conditions. The Mi-17 is identifiable from the Mi-8 by the additional air filters on the turbine air intakes, as well as left-hand side mounted tail rotor, required by the more powerful TB3-117A turboshaft engines it is fitted with. The Mi-17 can climb at a rate of 8 meters per second. The maximum speed and crew speed of the helicopter are 250 km per hour and 225 km per hour, respectively. The range of the helicopter is 465 kilometers, and the service ceiling is 6,000 meters. The aircraft weighs around 7,489 kilograms, and its maximum takeoff weight is 13,000 kilograms. The Mil-Mi-17, NATO reporting name HIP, is a Soviet-designed Russian military helicopter family introduced in 1975, Mi-8M, continuing in production as of 2021 at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude. It is known as the Mi-8M series in Russian service. The helicopter is mostly used as a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter, as well as an armed gunship version. Development Developed from the basic Mi-8 airframe, the Mi-17 was fitted with the larger Klimov TB3-117MT engines, rotors, and transmission developed for the Mi-14, along with a few solarge improvements for heavier loads. Optional engines for hot and high conditions are the 1545 kilowatt Isotov TB3-117VM. Recent exports to China and Venezuela for use in high mountains have the new Klimov VK-2500 version of the Klimov TB3-117 engine with FADEC control. In 2021, the website Russian Helicopters, the manufacturer, said that the Mi-8-17 was the most widely operated helicopter in history. Mi-17 Helicopter Production and Orders The accredited production of the Mi-17 began in China in May 2008 by Mil-Moscow Helicopter Plant JSC and Sichuan Atlantean Helicopter Company Sichuan. A total of 20 helicopters were built using the Russian Ulan-Ude supplied kits in 2008. A number of Mi-17s had been delivered for Iran, 10 for Malaysia, 20 to Colombia, 139 for India, 12 for Pakistan, and 20 for Venezuela. Deliveries began February 2006. In February 2005, the Iraqi Air Force ordered 10 Mi-17V5 from Bumar of Poland. In December 2005, the Czech Army received 16 Mi-17SH helicopters as part of a debt settlement with Russia. These helicopters have been donated to the Army of Afghanistan. The first three were handed over in December 2007. General Characteristics Crew 3 – 2 pilots and 1 engineer. Capacity 30 troops or 12 stretchers or 4,000 kg cargo internally, 5,000 kg externally slung. Loaded weight 11,100 kg. Max take-off weight 13,000 kg. Power plant 2 Klimov TB3-117VM turboshafts, 1,633 kW each. Performance Maximum speed 250 kmh. Range 465 km. Standard fuel. Service ceiling 6,000 m. Rate of climb 8 m per second. Armament Up to 1,500 kg of disposable stores on 6 hardpoints, including bombs, rockets, and gunpots. Country of origin – Soviet Union. Entered service 1961. Crew – 3 men. Passengers – 24 troops. Payload capacity internal – 4 tons. Payload capacity external – 3 tons. Armament 7.62 mm and 12.7 mm trainable machine guns. Missiles 9M-17P Scorpion, 9M-114 Shturm, and 9M-120 Vika anti-tank missiles plus Eagle RV air-to-air missiles. Bombs – 250 kg bombs. Other Pods with 57 mm and 18 mm unguided rockets. Thanks for watching! 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