Mi-171A2 in avionics trials

The Russian Helicopters holding company is flight-testing the Mil Mi-171A2 transport helicopter — the latest modification of the Mi-8/17 family. The first flying prototype is currently being tested with the new KBO-17 avionics suite at the Tomilino, Moscow Region-based National Helicopter Building Center.

The Mi-171A2’s upgraded rotor system has already been flown on a testbed. The main rotor blades are composite; the rotorhub and swashplate have been redesigned; an upgraded 8M transmission unit and an X-shaped tail rotor are installed. The flight tests demonstrated lower main rotor vibrations, a 700 kg increase in the rotor lift, and greater stability thanks to the new tail rotor design. The testbed reached a maximum speed of 300 km/h.

The airframe of the second prototype has been delivered from Ulan-Ude Helicopter Plant; its final assembly will be performed in Tomilino. The aircraft is expected to join the flight testing program in the second quarter of this year.
A Russian type certificate may be issued in the second quarter of 2015, after which series production should begin. Russian Helicopters says there is interest from major Russian and international helicopter operators.