OREANDA-NEWS. July 02, 2012. Russian Helicopters, part of the Russian state defence industry holding Oboronprom and a leading global designer and manufacturer of helicopters, including a number of the most renowned, innovative and widely used models, are pleased to present the Advanced Health and Usage Monitoring System (A-HUMS). A-HUMS is a promising development project that will substantially increase flight safety, which is a top priority for Russian Helicopters, whose rotorcraft today fly in more than 100 countries worldwide. A-HUMS will provide full control over a helicopter’s technical condition in real time, increase the aircraft usability factor and reduce ownership costs, which is certainly of interest to commercial operators, as well as help to plan the service maintenance.

This new development along with other technological innovations in helicopter manufacturing were demonstrated today at Stand F3/1-6/A (Pavilion F3) at the second international Engineering Technologies – 2012 forum, where Oboronprom and Russian Helicopters have set up a joint exhibit.

The Advanced Health and Usage Monitoring System via sensors and signals received from aircraft systems can in real time discover and diagnose situations in which mechanical units and/or components face a risk of failure, determine trim balance and constantly monitor the blade track of the main rotor, which is a critically important component providing the helicopter with lift and flight control.

In addition to flight safety, one of the main market demands is to reduce helicopters’ direct operating costs as well as to improve their economic effectiveness. A-HUMS will help helicopter operators plan ahead for maintenance of their fleets taking into consideration the actual wear on mechanical units and components.

It is expected that using the onboard diagnostics system and its ground-based unit with a shared database, a service specialist can access all the necessary information about the condition of specific components and units, for example, the engines, structural system, transmission, etc. The ongoing monitoring of the technical condition of the helicopter will help to properly plan the next service maintenance. Installation of A-HUMS on Russian-made helicopters will substantially lower the volume and cost of servicing – information about the use of each helicopter and data on the need for technical servicing can be transmitted in real time to the unified service centre of the global system of integrated logistics support now being created by Russian Helicopters.

Russian Helicopters, JSC is a subsidiary of UIC Oboronprom, which in turn is a part of Russian Technologies State Corporation. It is one of the global leaders in helicopter production and the only helicopter design and production powerhouse in Russia. Russian Helicopters is headquartered in Moscow. The company comprises five helicopter production facilities, two design bureaus, a spare parts production and repair facility, as well as an aftersale service branch responsible for maintenance and repair in Russia and all over the world. Its helicopters are popular among Russian ministries and state authorities (Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Emergency Control Ministry), operators (Gazpromavia, UTair), major Russian corporations. Over 8000 helicopters of Soviet/Russian make are operated in 110 countries worldwide. Traditionally the demand is highest in the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Russia, and CIS countries. Russian Helicopters was established in 2007. In 2011 its IFRS revenues increased 27.8% to RUB 103.9 billion. Deliveries reached 262 helicopters.

Partners of Russian Helicopters:  AirTaxi Service (interior completions and maintenance); Tranzas (software, navigation systems, aviation simulators); CSTS Dinamika (technical training means for aviation flight and engineering personnel); BETA AIR (testing equipment and aviation electronics); Ural Works of Civil Aviation (repair of helicopter engines and components, as well as gearboxes).

UIC Oboronprom, JSC is a multi-profile industrial and investment group established in 2002. It is a part of Russian Technologies State Corporation. Its main tasks include: helicopter engineering (Russian Helicopters, JSC) and engine-building (United Engine Industry Corporation managing company).