Es mas pequeño que el Mi-26, más que reemplazo lo veo como para llenar el hueco entre el Mi-17(y el futuro Mi-38) y el Mi-26. El Mi-46 sería un helicóptero de la categoría del CH-47 Chinook y el CH-53 Stallion.
Algunos datos más:
Mil Mi-46 project
Project to replace Mi-6 (Mi-46T) and Mi-10K (Mi-46K). Modern design, just over half weight of Mi-26, 7-blade rotor, 5-blade tail rotor. Mi-46T with layout similar to Mi-26 with unobstructed hold with rear ramp door, twin engines and oil cooler ahead of main gear-box, fixed twin-wheel tricycle landing gear. Mi-46K flying crane similar to Mi-10K with stub wings, long braced landing gear, aft-facing pilot position used when picking up or setting down.
Mi-46T
TYPE: Twin-turboshaft passenger/freight transport helicopter.
PROGRAMME: Project announced summer 1992; no further announcements.
DESIGN FEATURES: Replacement for Mi-6, with T-O weight just over half that of Mi-26. General configuration similar to Mi-26; seven-blade main rotor, five-blade tail rotor; non-retractable tricycle landing gear with twin wheels on each unit; few windows in hold; rear-loading ramp and doors; engines above hold, forward of main rotor driveshaft.
POWER PLANT: Two new-type Aviadvigatel turboshafts, each 5,590 kW (7,495 shp).
ACCOMMODATION: Equipped normally to carry freight.
Mi-46K
TYPE: Twin-turboshaft flying crane helicopter.
PROGRAMME: Project revealed summer 1992; no subsequent announcements.
DESIGN FEATURES: Replacement for Mi-10K, of typical large flying crane configuration, utilising fuselage nose, flight deck, power plant and dynamic components of Mi-46T; flat-bottomed, shallow centre and rear fuselage, with short stub-wings and long tripod-braced mainwheel units; glazed gondola for second pilot, facing rearward behind front fuselage pod, to control helicopter during loading and unloading. Sling cable directly under main rotor driveshaft for payload.
POWER PLANT: Two unspecified 5,965kW turboshafts.
Fueron anunciados en el 92....uhmmm, no creo que hayan avanzado mucho
Fuente: http://www.aviastar.org/helicopters_eng/mi-46.php
Aunque según este otro articulo:
http://www.moscowtimes.ru/article/600/42/372000.htm
Russian arms maker Oboronprom and China's AVICopter signed a memorandum to jointly develop a civilian heavy helicopter. "We've had the blueprints, and they have the money," said Ilya Yakushev, a spokesman for Oboronprom, referring to China. China wants to develop and produce the helicopter, whose weight will be around 30 tons, on its own territory, said Russian Helicopters, Oboronprom's helicopter manufacturing subsidiary.
China is ready to finance the project, said the company, adding that any details were up for negotiation. The Mi-46 helicopter currently being developed in Russia could provide the basis for the new aircraft, the company said in a statement.
Russian Helicopters also signed a framework agreement to sell four older, Mi-26 heavy helicopters to China, the world's largest helicopter importer, the company said
Related link:
http://www.moscowtimes.ru/article/600/42/372000.htm