Russian Helicopters has launched production of the advanced Mil Mi-172A2 (NATO reporting name: Hip) multirole helicopter, Director General Andrei Boginsky said at the IDEX 2017 international arms show. "The Mi-172A2 helicopter has entered production. Four machines are slated for production this year," he said.

The Mi-172A2 is the latest addition to the Mi-8/17 family. The aircraft has the KBO-17 integrated digital flight/navigation system (‘glass cockpit’) allowing the pilot and copilot to do without the flight engineer.

The Mi-172A2’s main rotor has been heavily upgraded compared with that of the Mi-8 and Mi-17 baseline models. The latest derivative sports the composite main and X-shaped tail rotors, improved swashplate and modified main rotor hub. The novelties have boosted controllability, slashed the main rotor’s overall weight and increased its thrust by 700 kg. They have also produced a 20% increase in cruising and maximum speeds and extended range.

The upgraded avionics suite has expanded the flight envelope of the helicopter. The Mi-172A2 flies effectively in mountainous, low ambient temperature and high humidity environments. Its flight/navigation gear allows effective round-the-clock all-weather operations above the ground and water.