First Series-Built Mi-38 Helicopter to Be Built at KVZ by 2011
It is planned to build the first series-built Mi-38 new generation heavy helicopter at OAO Kazan’ Helicopter Plant (KVZ) by 2011, the plant’s general director, Vadim Ligay, has reported. The second prototype of this helicopter will be built in 2007 and the assembly of components for the third example has begun. On the order of 30 – 40 million dollars will be invested for these purposes this year.
According to V. Ligay, the main part of the work at this stage is falling on the Moscow M.L. Mil’ Helicopter Plant (MVZ), with whom a final contract still has not been signed.
The helicopter’s integrated avionics complex will be assembled using ZAO Tranzas (St. Peterburg) funds within the framework of an MVZ agreement with the Thales firm (France) for the deliveries of avionics for the Mi-38. According to V. Ligay’s information, Tranzas will need not less than 150 million rubles for it.
The Mi-38 has a maximum takeoff weight of 15.6 tonnes and can carry 30 passengers and 5 tonnes of freight. Maximum speed is 285 kilometers per hour, maximum flight range is 885 kilometers and practical ceiling is 5,100 meters. The cost of the project is estimated at 700 - 800 million dollars. ZAO Evromil’ (its shareholders on par are KVZ and MVZ) and the Franco-German Eurocopter concern. The Canadian Pratt & Whitney Canada firm (PWC) has delivered two PW-127T/S engines specially modified for it for the first prototype.