The Chief of India¡¯s Defence staff died in a helicopter crash on December 8 along with 12 others on board. The CDS was travelling in a Russian Mi-17 V5 helicopter from Sulur Air Force Station to Willington, when the helicopter crashed.
The Mi-17V-5 , also known as the Mi-8MTV-5 is a military transport variant of the Mi-8/17 helicopter family. NATO calls this helicopter ¡®hip¡¯. It is a Soviet designed Russian military helicopter manufactured by Russian Helicopters, produced at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude. It is known as the Mi-8M series in Russian service. The helicopter is mostly used as a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter, as well as an armed gunship version.
The manufacturers claim it to be, ¡°Russian Helicopters is a leading player in the global helicopter industry, the sole Russian rotorcraft designer and manufacturer and one of the few companies worldwide with the capability to design, manufacture, service and test modern civilian and military helicopters. Russian Helicopters is part of State Corporation Rostec¡±.?
The Mi-17V-5 is considered to be one of the world's most modern transport helicopters, designed to transport cargo both within the cabin and on an external sling. It can also be used for troop and weapons transfer, firefighting, convoy escort, patrol, and search-and-rescue missions.
The helicopter is operated by a crew of three, while having the capacity to carry 36 people. The maximum take-off weight of the helicopter is 13,000kg.
The helicopter maintains its predecessors' exceptional performance qualities and can fly in tropical and maritime regions, as well as in desert circumstances.?
The helicopter's spacious cabin has a floor size of 12.5m2 and an effective space of 23m3. The usual portside entrance and rear ramp let troops and cargo enter and exit quickly. An expanded starboard sliding door, rappelling and parachute equipment, a searchlight, a FLIR system, and an emergency flotation system are all options for the helicopter.
The Mi-17V-5's glass cockpit features cutting-edge avionics including four multifunction displays (MFDs), night-vision equipment, an on-board weather radar, and an autopilot system. The improved cockpit lessens the workload of pilots.
Shturm-V missiles, S-8 rockets, a 23mm machine gun, PKT machine guns, and AKM submachine guns are among the Mi-17V-5's weapons. It has eight firing positions where the weapons can be aimed.?
The crew may engage enemy, armoured vehicles, land-based targets, reinforced fire positions, and other fixed and moving targets using the onboard weapons.
Armoured plates protect the helicopter's cockpit and critical components. The gunner is likewise protected by armoured plates at the aft machine gun position.?
The self-sealing fuel tanks are filled with foam polyurethane and are explosion-proof. Engine exhaust infrared (IR) suppressors, a flare distributor, and a jammer are all included in the aircraft.
The Mi-17V-5's power plant consists of a Klimov TV3-117VM or VK-2500 turboshaft engine. The TV3-117VM has a maximum power output of 2,100 horsepower, whereas the VK-2500 has a maximum power output of 2,700 horsepower.?
The VK-2500 engine is a more powerful version of the TV3-117VM engine family. It has a new full-authority digital control system installed (FADEC).?
The Mi-17V-5 has a top speed of 250 km/h and a basic range of 580 kilometres, which may be increased to 1,065 kilometres when two extra fuel tanks are installed. It has a maximum altitude of 6,000 metres.
During the Aero India event in February 2013, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) placed an order for 12 Mi-17V5 helicopters.?
In December 2008, the Indian Ministry of Defence granted Russian Helicopters a $1.3 billion contract for 80 helicopters. The Indian Air Force (IAF) began receiving helicopters in 2011, with 36 helicopters delivered by early 2013.?
During 2012 and 2013, Rosoboronexport and the Indian Ministry of Defence signed deals for 71 Mi-17V-5 helicopters. The fresh orders came as part of a 2008 deal.?
In July 2018, Rosoboronexport handed out the final batch of Mi-17V-5 military transport helicopters to India. In April 2019, the Indian Air Force opened a repair and maintenance facility for Mi-17V-5 helicopters.
The helicopter is operated by more than 70 countries, including almost all the neighbouring countries of India.
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