OREANDA-NEWS. The holding company Russian Helicopters is modernizing the helicopter, which is based on the legendary Mi-8. The Mi-171A2 version will specialize in the transportation of passengers and cargo. Concern Radio-electronic Technologies (KRET) is developing one of the most important components of the helicopter, an integrated set of avionics.

The history of the Mi-8 helicopter began more than half a century ago, and serial production began in 1965. The innovative engineering solutions developed by the brilliant aircraft designer Mikhail Mil and the staff of his design bureau facilitated the long life of this helicopter. The Mi-8 became the most mass-produced helicopter in the history of aviation, with more than 12,000 Mi-8 helicopters produced, of which more than 2,000 were exported abroad to be used in almost all parts of the world.

Throughout its long history, the helicopter has undergone several stages of modernization. In 2009, the holding Russian Helicopters decided to upgrade the avionics of the Mi-8 and launched a full-scale modernization program for the helicopter, which received the name Mi-171M. Its first new project was the creation of the Mi-171A2 helicopter for the transportation of passengers and cargo.

The Ulyanovsk Instrument Design Bureau, part of KRET, was entrusted with the task of developing one of the most important components of the helicopter, an integrated, on-board flight and navigation system, known as KBO-17.

KBO-17 first and foremost expands the capabilities of the helicopter. The Mi-171A2 is the first certified helicopter in the series to be able to carry cargo both inside the fuselage and as an external load.

The vehicle can also be used to help prevent forest fires, as well as for patrols, construction, installation and cargo handling, firefighting, search and rescue, medical evacuation, and other special tasks. The decision-making capabilities of the KBO-17 are enabled by a PVN-1-03 remote navigation calculator and a PKV 171A helicopter aerobatic system, which is a modern, two-channel digital autopilot system.

Secondly, the use of the KBO-17 helps reduce the cost per flight hour for the Mi-171A2 by reducing the crew to two people, as well as by reducing the weight of onboard equipment. Additionally, pre- and post-flight testing was simplified and the efficiency of troubleshooting equipment was improved. This was possible thanks to the inclusion in KBO-17 of the SUOVO-V1 general helicopter equipment control system and the KSEIS-V1 integrated display and alert system.

In developing the KBO-17, particular attention was devoted to improving flight safety. Now the helicopter is equipped with a KOS-17 around-the-clock surveillance system, with which the help of digital high-definition cameras provides 24-hour surveillance of the cabin and passenger compartment. This system, once installed, will allow the crew to land in poor-visibility conditions, as well as to conduct special tasks such as aerial reconnaissance and search and rescue missions.

Information from the KOS-17 system is displayed on a high-resolution LCD display. The entire KBO-17 system utilizes a "glass cockpit" dashboard with five multi-function LCD displays.

The KSS-17 system serves as the "tongue" and "ears" of the helicopter, facilitating telephone and radio communication between the aircraft and ground control stations, as well as internal communication between crew members and passengers.

The IKVSP-171 altitude and speed informational system measures and records various aerometric parameters. In addition to standard air, pressure, and temperature signals, the system also uses two DVS-V4 sensors to measure wind speed and direction, including while landing, and can also warn pilots of critical conditions during flight.

The Mi-171A2 is also equipped with an automatic warning system for critical conditions during flight to avoid and prevent collisions with external objects. The helicopter can thus be flown safely at any time of day, including during adverse weather conditions.

Recently the holding company Russian Helicopters and KRET together began testing the Mi-171A2 at the flight test facility of the National Center for Helicopter Construction, which is part of the Moscow Helicopter Plant named for M. L. Mil.

Currently two helicopters are involved in the Mi-171A2 testing: a "flying laboratory" based on the Mi-8/17 series, and the first test model of the Mi-171A2, OP-1. Work on the second test model, OP-2, is currently being finished at the Moscow Helicopter Plant named for M. L. Mil, after which it will join the testing.

The rest of the certification work for the Mi-171A2 helicopter is scheduled for completion in 2015.