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World Aviation Industry News - Russian Helicopters
 
 
The first Russian Arctic helicopter Mi-8AMTSh to be built in Ulan-Ude
 
Testing of the first Russian Arctic helicopter, the Mi-8AMTSh, will begin this winter. Currently the developmental prototype is being built at the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, Aleksey Putintsev, Head of Public Procurements of Russian Helicopters, reported today, August, 12.
     
Testing of the first Russian Arctic helicopter, the Mi-8AMTSh, will begin this winter. Currently the developmental prototype is being built at the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, Aleksey Putintsev, Head of Public Procurements of Russian Helicopters, reported today, Ausgust, 12.
Russian Helicopters' Mi-8AMTSh transport helicopter
     

The Arctic helicopter meets the requirements for operation in adverse Arctic weather conditions and the Far North to the maximum degree possible. It is being developed for operation in low temperatures and limited visibility conditions, including during polar nights.

The aircraft is being created on the basis of the last modification of the Mi-8AMTSh-V military-transport helicopter, which features new Klimov VK 2500-03 gas turbine engines, a more powerful TA-14 auxiliary power unit and an upgraded avionics suite.

RIA Novosti quoted Aleksey Putintsev as saying, "This is a special upgrade of the Mi-8 for northern latitudes. First of all, we plan to produce it for military units stationed in the Arctic. A prototype has been put into production, and currently the helicopter's fuselage has already been completed. We plan to begin testing this winter so that after testing the client can make a decision about whether to make a purchase."

The helicopter can be deployed to address needs in the Arctic as well in the oilfields.