Upgrades Will Feature New Avionics And Glass Cockpits

Russian Helicopters, JSC, the managing body of the consolidated Russian helicopter industry holding, is planning to start taking orders for the extensively modernized Mi-8M helicopter next year. First deliveries of Mi-8M are scheduled for 2013.

The Mi-8M modernization program includes advanced solutions already tested in the development of another Russian helicopter - the Mi-38.

Russia-based Transas company has already developed the IBKV-17 integrated avionics suite for the Mi-8/17 modernization program to upgrade the aircraft to a glass cockpit. The IBKV-17 brings new features to Russian-made helicopters, expanding operational limits and decreasing pilot workload thanks to extensive automation.

Russian Helicopters is continuing its cooperation with Transas, Russian Avionics and the Ramenskoye Instrument Plant Design Bureau (RPKB). Russian Helicopters expects that the IBKV-17, and the overall quality of the modernized Mi-8M, will spur additional sales in its traditional markets, and help to increase demand for Russian-made helicopters in new markets.

Russian Helicopters CEO Andrei Shibitov says he expects orders to come from civilian companies in the Russian and international markets, including China.

FMI: www.rus-helicopters.ru/en/