Certification testing of Mi-38 medium helicopter is being completed, Voenno-promishlenniy Courier reports with reference to a source close to the military-industrial sector.

«Type certificate for Mi-38 helicopter will be received in December 2015. The “B” Category type certificate will be issued for Mi-38; the document allows transportation of cargo,» the source said.

According to him, a number of difficult certification tests have already been completed. «Testing of main gearbox with an overload of 1,4 has been successfully completed. Windshield, sliding shafts of the swash plate and blades have successfully passed bird strike tests,» the source explained.

According to him, “about 90 out of 300 tests specified in the certification program have not been completed yet». The source reminded that Mi-38 helicopter is powered by TV7-117V engines developed by Klimov Company. «It is expected that service life of the engine will be increased to 1000 hours by December by Klimov; later “on-condition maintenance” approach will be applied,» the source added.

Mi-38 multi-role helicopter should replace the famous Mi-8 (Mi-17) helicopters. Mi-38 performed its maiden flight in December 2003. So far four Mi-38 prototypes have been manufactured. Initially it was planned that the vehicle may be powered by PW127TS engines manufactured in USA, but after the conflict with Georgia US Congress banned the delivery of these engines to Russia.