aerobd.news: Russian Helicopters Holding Company (part of Rostec State Corporation) presented the first serial Mi-38 helicopter with a highly comfortable cabin at the MAKS-2019 airspace show. The Mi-38 helicopter made by the Kazan Helicopter Plant will be presented at a static exposition. It will also take part in the flight program forming part of the airspace show by making a flight with other civilian aircraft made by Russian Helicopters. Pre-production prototypes of Mi-38 had been previously demonstrated at MAKS. They took part in the certification flight test program. Besides, theMi-38T military transport helicopter based on the certified civilian Mi-38 helicopter takes part in the flight program of the exhibition for the first time.

Several changes to the design of the Mi-38 helicopter have been made: these are improved aerodynamic contours of fuselage andcowling of a propulsion unit, main rotor spinners and aswashplate. Engines are placed “behind” the main rotor transmission instead of their traditional placement in front of it. This allowed reduction in aerodynamic resistance and noise level in a cockpit, and increased safety of the machine. “Mi-38 is a new achievement in Russian helicopter industry. Due to its performance, cost-effectiveness, flight range and cargo transportation capabilities this helicopter is an extremely interesting one in terms of commercial operation and for state customers. Currently, certification tests of the Mi-38 helicopter with a highly comfortable cabin have been completed, and we are ready to begin to supply these machines: we are conducting negotiations with a leasing company now,” said Director General of Russian Helicopters Holding Company Andrey Boginsky.

A passenger version of Mi-38 can accommodate up to 30 passengers, and up to eight passengers if this is a version with a highly comfortable cabin. The flight range of the new helicopter is up to 1,300 kilometers (with additional fuel tanks). Mi-38 whose maximum takeoff weight is 15.6 tonnes can carry five tonnes of payload on board or on an external sling. It can be operated in a wide range of climatic conditions including maritime, tropical and cold climates. Owing to unique technical solutions, Mi-38 is superior to other helicopters of its class in weight lifting capacity, passenger capacity and main aircraft performance characteristics.

JSC “Russian Helicopters”, a part of Rostec State Corporation, is a leading player in the global helicopter industry, the sole Russian designer and manufacturer of helicopters. The Holding Company was established in 2007 and is headquartered in Moscow. We operate five helicopter assembly plants, two design bureaus, component production and maintenance enterprises, aircraft repair plants and one helicopter service company providing after-sales support in Russia and abroad. The customers of the Holding Company are the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Home Affairs, EMERCOM of Russia, and other state customers, Gazpromavia, UTair Aviation company, large Russian and foreign companies.

State Corporation Rostec is one of the largest industrial companies in Russia. It unites more than 800 scientific and industrial organizations in 60 regions of the country. Its key areas of activity are transport engineering, electronics, medical technology, chemistry and innovative materials. Rostec holdings form three clusters: electronics, weapons and aviation. The corporation’s portfolio includes such well-known brands as AvtoVAZ, KAMAZ, Kalashnikov, Russian Helicopters, Uralvagonzavod and others. Rostec is active in the implementation of all 12 national projects. The company is a key provider of Smart City technology, it is engaged in the digitalization of public administration, industry and social sectors, and it is developing plans for the development of 5G wireless technologies, an Industrial Internet of Things, big data and blockchain systems. Rostec partners with leading world manufacturers such as Boeing, Airbus, Daimler, Pirelli and Renault. The corporation’s products are delivered to more than 100 countries worldwide. Almost a third of the company’s revenue comes from the export of high-tech products.