Aircraft Specially Equipped For Operations In Extreme Polar Conditions

The Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant (part of Russian Helicopters, which is part of State Corporation Rostec), recently hosted a ceremony marking the acceptance of the Mi-8AMTSh-VA by the Russian Defense Ministry’s Arctic groupings. The first Arctic helicopter was developed specially for operation in the country’s north in temperatures lower than -40°. With auxiliary fuel tanks, the helicopter has a range of over 1,300 km (approx 702 nm) .

The Mi-8AMTSh-VA helicopter was developed from the Mi-8AMTSh-V, which is already in service with the Russian Defence Ministry. The helicopter is fitted with equipment enabling it to operate in low temperatures, where orientation is difficult, polar night, without satellite signal, where radio links are unreliable, over great expanses of water, and a long way from base.

"The wealth of expertise we built up in the course of the development, production and testing of the Mi-8AMTSh-VA in the Far North are also going to be incorporated into the commercial model of this Arctic helicopter," said Russian Helicopters CEO Alexander Mikheev. "This helicopter is crucial to the development of transport infrastructure in Russia’s northern regions, and also to companies in the oil and gas sector to support offshore work."

The contract for the delivery of helicopters that will carry out operations as part of the Arctic groupings was signed with the Russian Federation’s Defense Ministry in February, and was carried out by Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant. In addition to the Russian Armed Forces, other Russian law enforcement agencies have shown considerable interest in this model.

(Image provided with Russian Helicopters news release)

FMI: www.russianhelicopters.aero