OREANDA-NEWS. August 25, 2011. Russian Helicopters, the industry holding and a subsidiary of UIC Oboronprom, has showcased its diverse lineup including the new light Mi-34C1, Ka-226T, Mi-38, and Mi-26T2 at the International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS 2011. Those and other civil rotorcraft of Russian make, including the attack Mi-28NE Night Hunter and the Ka-52 Alligator will be shown at MAKS in Zhukovsky at the static display of Russian Helicopters and in pavilion C3 at the UIC Oboronprom stand.

Dmitry Petrov, CEO, Russian Helicopters,stated:“We make unique helicopters. We’ve held on to our specialties and key positions on the dynamic global helicopter market. The company continues moving forward and is ready for fair competition with its new models that we are proudly presenting today at MAKS. After industry consolidation Russian Helicopters remains one of the fastest-growing helicopter manufacturers in the world.”

Stable production and financial growth and a confident demonstration of effective civil and military helicopter development programs at the milestone 10th MAKS are a testament to the efficiency of the Russian Helicopters strategy to diversify its lineup and create a modern global support system. The existing service network system coincides with the sales geography of the holding company. New centres are under way in China, South America, and other world regions. 214 machines were delivered to customers in 2010 by Russian Helicopters subsidiaries. Over the two years since MAKS 2009 company revenue has doubled, reaching a record USD 2.7 billion. Production output is expected to total 267 units in 2011, with the growth dynamics continuing in the future.

Today on Russian Helicopters Day airshow visitors will see modern light Mi-34C1, Ka-226T, and Ansat, medium Ka-32A11BC, the new modernised ultra-heavy Mi-26T2, and the attack Ka-52 Alligator, Mi-28NE Night Hunter, and other modern rotorcraft at the static display and in the sky above the exposition in Zhukovsky near Moscow.

The newcomers are expected to attract special attention at MAKS: the light Mi-34C1, Ka-226T with a medical module, and the passenger/cargo Mi-38, as well as the new heavy Mi-26T2.

The new light Mi-34C1 will be the new star of the Russian Helicopters exposition. It is intended for civil and military pilot training and will make such training as efficient as possible, greatly reducing state expenses.

The Mi-34C1 can be used to transport people and light loads. It can also perform all sorts of monitoring, including eco, police, integrity, powerline, and fire detection. The Mi-34C1 is capable of higher aerobatics, making it indispensable for helicopter sports. The manoeuvrability and rigid construction of the Mi-34C1 ensure flight safety. Certification is slotted for late this year and serial production of the light helicopter should start at Arsenyev Aviation Company Progress in 2012.

Another newcomer to be showcased at MAKS 2011 is the light coaxial Ka-226T helicopter with a medical module of U.S. production. This model was first shown to the general public in May at HeliRussia, where it became the centre of the joint UIC Oboronprom exposition. The new Ka-226T was created by Russian Helicopters to greatly broaden the emergency medical air evacuation capabilities of relevant services that are already displaying interest in this model alongside Russian insurance companies that are interested in helicopter ambulances within life insurance bundles.

This medevac helicopter, intended to help the development of medical aviation in Russia, is equipped with two Turbomeca Arrius 2G turboshafts and the Russian VR-226N reductor. This is the first time the French Arrius 2G engines were installed on a coaxial-rotor machine. The Ka-226T is a unique example of successful international cooperation, offering customers a wide variety of possibilities in terms of manoeuvrability, rate of climb, and ceiling. Such technical solutions make the Ka-226T extremely safe: it possesses up to 750 hp even with one engine out, leaving it with enough power to manoeuvre.

Two prototypes of the new passenger and cargo Mi-38 will be showcased at MAKS. OP-1 with TV7-117V engines and OP-2 with Pratt & Whitney engines will be displayed to visitors and experts at the airshow both on static and in flight. The Mi-38 is a next-generation rotorcraft offering highest modern levels of safety and comfort in its class. Certification is scheduled for 2014.

The experimental Mi-26T2 will be among the innovations presented at the Russian Helicopters exposition. It is currently continuing test flights. The helicopter is fitted with a modern BREO-26 avionics suite designed by Ramenskoye Design Company. The glass cockpit of the Mi-26 T2 is equipped with five multi-functional LCDs that can display a coloured image of external load, a new digital autopilot and a new navigation system supporting NAVSTAR/GLONASS. The helicopter is also fitted with an additional Tranzas TSL-1600 light to visually control external load at night. It is capable both of standard and IR lighting to be used in combination with night vision goggles. Apart from this, modernised D-136-2 engines are intended for this machine. They are a step forward from the D-136 in their use of FADEC, an emergency power output of 12500 hp available at temperatures up to +30?C, and takeoff power that has been increased by 250 hp at maximum takeoff mode.

The new avionics allow the operation of this helicopter in any point on the planet and let it perform flights to international IFR standards. Modern equipment has brought down the total crew headcount to 2 from 5, adding an operator to work with the external sling if necessary. The remaining cabin space has been given to people accompanying load.