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The Perfect Fit                                                                                        [ ADVERTORIAL ]



                                                                       testing, Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant will manufacture
         THE NEW MI-171A3 HELICOPTER IS TAILOR-MADE FOR OIL            3 fuselages, one of which will further be equipped
         AND GAS COMPANIES. ITS PROTOTYPE IS SET TO BE ONE             with avionics at National Helicopter Center Mil
                                                                       and Kamov for flight tests. The Mi-171A3 helicop-
         OF THE MAIN ROTORCRAFT SENSATIONS OF MAKS-2021                ter meets all modern requirements for safety and
         INTERNATIONAL AIR SHOW                                        configuration. It is equipped with an automatic-ac-
                                                                       tivated emergency flotation system and external
         Oil and gas companies are traditionally one of the main operators of   life rafts, and the crashworthy fuselage can with-
         helicopter technology both in Russia and around the globe. They use   stand overloads of up to 20g. The helicopter has
         helicopters to deliver personnel, cargo and equipment to the pro-  a crashworthy fuel system, push-out windows and
         duction site. Particular strict requirements are imposed on offshore   energy-absorbing seats. To ensure the opera-
         helicopters that serve offshore drilling platforms. The list of these   tion of the helicopter even in the most adverse
         requirements is formed by the International Association of Oil and   weather conditions, the helicopter is equipped
         Gas Producers (IOGP), and includes the structural capabilities of a   with an integrated flight and navigation complex
         helicopter, set of rescue equipment, ergonomics of the cockpit and   "glass cabin" with a digital autopilot.
         many other criteria. Until recently, there was no helicopter in Russia
         that would fully comply with the requirements of IOGP.        The wide use of composite structures provides
                                                                       a positive impact on the flight and commercial
         In May 2021, Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, part of the Russian Helicopters  performances of the helicopter. The flight range
         Holding Company completed the assembly of the fuselage of the new  of the Mi-171A3 is up to the level of foreign off-
         Mi-171A3 offshore helicopter. It is designed in accordance with IOGP  shore helicopters when transporting 16 and 19
         standards and fully meets the strict requirements for safe flights over  passengers, but the Russian helicopter provides
         water surface. One of the main operational tasks of the new Mi-171A3  the operator with a unique opportunity to recon-
         helicopter is the support of offshore drilling platforms. The helicopter  figure the cabin for transporting 24 passengers.
         can transport personnel, cargo, and, when required, carry out search  At the same time, the Mi-171A3 outperforms its
         and rescue operations for the purpose of which additional installation  nearest competitors in terms of flight hour price,
         of a specialized search complex, onboard winches and medical equip-  offering more than 20% lower rate.
         ment is provided. Operator can convert the helicopter into a search
         and rescue version at its own operational facilities.         The initial customers of the helicopter will be
                                                                       Russian oil and gas companies – the configu-
         All design documentation for the helicopter was developed in the form  ration of the helicopter, in particular, has been
         of digital 3D models which allowed implementing the unprecedented  agreed with Gazprom. However, this model will be
         wide production cooperation across the Russian Helicopters holding  in demand at any offshore facilities, wherever they
         company, taking into account the created competence centers. Kazan  are located. Serial production of the helicopter is
         Helicopter Plant and Progress Arsenyev Aviation Company manu-  scheduled to commence in 2022, but this year,
         facture the cargo floor, sets of side panels and the cockpit, whereas  the prototype Mi-171A3 promises to become one
         Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant manufactures the ceiling panel, the rear part of  of the main rotorcraft sensations of MAKS-2021
         the fuselage, the engine nacelle and the tail boom. For the purpose of  International Air Show.

        ASIAN DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY                                                                 June/July 2021 | 11
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