The famous design bureau - Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant, developer of world-famous helicopters (for example: Mi-8, Mi-24 and Mi-26)celebrates its 65th anniversary, the enterprise’s press-service reports. AEX.ru
The outstanding designer Mikhail Leontievich Mil was appointed head of an experimental design bureau in 1947. This design bureau has become one of the best helicopter design schools in the world. Nowadays its traditions are being carried on by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant, part of Russian Helicopters Holding Company.
“The Mi helicopters developed by engineers working under the leadership of Mil and his successors are truly unique. Among them are legendary Mi-8/17 vehicles, the most popular helicopters in the history of world aviation (about 12,000 helicopters of the type have been produced over 50 years); advanced Mi-35M, the unique military transport helicopter; Mi-26(T) having the highest weight-lift ability in the world (20 tons); and the latest Mi-28NE Night Hunter attack helicopter, which has unique maneuverability and can be operated under any lighting and weather conditions”, - the enterprise noted.
Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant has implemented a lot of innovative technical solutions, which have been used in future unique products. The familiar layout of the advanced helicopter is to a great extent the result of the work of the design bureau’s specialists. The original technical solutions have often led to the development of other technologies currently used by Russian and foreign enterprises.
“At present Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant is one of the most valuable intellectual assets of Russian Helicopters. The enterprise is a key component of the helicopter innovation cluster being created at the company’s National Helicopter Manufacturing Center in Tomilino (Moscow Region). Scientific and engineering resources of Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant are concentrated in the center. The assets of Kamov Design Bureau will also be located there. At present Kamov’s specialists are moving to the new modern building located at the center’s territory”, - said in the statement of Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant.
The National Helicopter Manufacturing Centre is being created on the basis of two famous design bureaus. It will establish a modern intellectual infrastructure for helicopter industry in the network of the larger process aimed at developing the Russian economy. A single center of competence will help the industry focus intellectual resources on creating breakthrough technologies and developing the advanced helicopters, which would be in demand at the domestic and global market. Among the top-priority areas for Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant are: Mi-38 project, Mi-171A2 and advanced high-speed helicopters. In particular, Russian Advanced Commercial Helicopter (RACHEL), the medium advanced high-speed helicopter project presented at the Farnborough International Airshow 2012, is a breakthrough innovation, which may significantly impact the future of global helicopter sector.
“The special attention is paid to the composites, which are actively being used for manufacturing the components of new and previously developed helicopters. Russian engineers are cooperating with leading global experts within the framework of international projects such as CFK-Valley Stade (Germany). This work should help increase the performance of Russian-built helicopters and decrease the operational costs”, - the press-service noted.
