Mil' Mi-38 (Mi-382 and Mi-383 PDTV)

[Austin]

Piotr Butowski reports on Mi-38 program ( AirInternational )

[removed - do not post whole articles - Admin]

 

[fightingirish]

The 2nd prototype has just flown.
It was about time, that this project went on.

Source: Ares - A Defense Technology Blog: Russian Flies Latest Mi-38

 

[Deino]

Via Key-Forum ...

 

[mil]

Now the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation waits for completion of tests and start of a mass production of the MI-38 helicopter in the main civil version before placing the possible order for the helicopter in option of an average transport.


Early preliminary researches on creation of PATLH (Perspective Average of the Transport and Landing Helicopter) are conducted within the project code-named "Smoker".


The Mile design office submitted for PSTDV Mi's outline sketch - 38-3 in two options. One of them is Mi's slightly adapted helicopter - 38-2, and another - the helicopter with the same power plant, a reducer and the screw, but with absolutely new glider developed with use of the Stealth technology, including being cleaned chassis and a back stage. http://bmpd.livejournal.com/tag/вертолеты

 

[Avimimus]

Reducer and screw = pusher prop?
Back stage = pusher prop (or cargo doors?)
Glider = rotor blade?

 

[kaiserbill]

My initial reading of that was there being 3 versions looked at.
Mi-38 (1) - The version we've seen up to now.
Mi-38 (2) - A slightly modified version of the initial version above.
Mi-38 (3) - Same powerplant and gear boxes/tail rotors (reducer and screw), but with new main rotor blades (glider with stealth) retractable undercarriage (cleaned chassis) and revised rear loading ramp/doors (back stage).

I could be completely wrong, of course.

 

[Avimimus]

Thanks - seems plausible. I'll go with that ;D

 

[Deino]

4'th Mi-38-2 is flying !?

Предсерийный прототип Ми-38 производства «Вертолетов России» совершил первый полет

www.russianhelicopters.aero

Besides that are there already any orders for that type, especially from the Russian military or will they rely on the modernized Mi-8/-17 series since they are cheaper ??? ... and what about the so called Mi-38-3 ?

Deino

 

[fightingirish]

Graham Warwick ‏@TheWoracle
First @RusHeliCo Mi-38 production prototype has bigger cabin windows, crashworthy fuel system, Klimov TV7-117 engines

Edit:

20.10.2014 / Kazan - The fourth prototype of the new multirole Mi-38 helicopter has carried out a series of ground runs and completed its first flight at Russian Helicopters' (part of State Corporation Rostec) Kazan Helicopters' test flight centre

 

[yasotay]

That is a nice looking helicopter. Good stability augmentation too.

 

[Grey Havoc]

Russia certificates new Mi-38 helicopter

Russian Helicopters has secured certification for its new Mil Mi-38 heavy twin, allowing the manufacturer to launch serial production of the 15.6t rotorcraft.

www.flightglobal.com

 

[mil]

helicopter Mi-38T military transport

 

[airman]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mil_Mi-38 - info also on wikipedia

 

[fightingirish]

The first civilian (government) Mi-38's and military Mi-38T's are been delivered.
Links (Russian):

Первый вертолет Ми-38 для Специального летного отряда «Россия»

В ходе посещения 4 сентября 2020 года Президентом Республики Татарстан Р.Н. Миннихановым и Министром Российской Федерации по делам гражданской обороны, чрезвычайным ситуациям и ликвидации последствий стихийных бедствий генерал-полковником Е.Н. Зиничевым ПАО Казанский вертолетный завод…

bmpd.livejournal.com

Еще один образец вертолета Ми-38Т для Министерства обороны России

Опубликована сделанная еще 31 июля 2020 года на подмосковном аэродроме Чкаловский фотография еще одного (третьего по счету) построенного на ПАО Казанский вертолетный завод (КВЗ, в составе АО Вертолеты России) для Министерства обороны Российской Федерации образца…

bmpd.livejournal.com

 

[yasotay]

I am slightly surprised they retained the (partial) clam-shell doors at the rear and did not go with the flat cargo ramp of the later Mi-17 (171?). I realize there are aerodynamic penalties associated with the flat cargo door approach, but would not have thought it significant at helicopter speeds.

 

[Grey Havoc]

Some production line issue perhaps?

 

[apparition13]

How much of an improvement are these over Mi-17s? I'm finding conflicting information so I can't really judge.

 

[Aubi]

Flat cargo ramp is used on Mi-171, which is manufactured by Ulan-Ude Aviation Factory. Hovever, Mi-38 is manufactured by Kazan Helicopters PJSC which previously manufactured Mi-172 (which is too a variant of Mi-8/17, but developed independently of Mi-171). Both are members of the same consortium now, but until recently there wasn't much cooperation.

 

[Grey Havoc]

So an arguably false economy, in other words.

 

[riggerrob]

Ramp length is important for balance.
Note that smaller fixed-wing cargo planes (e.g. Shorts Skyvan) don't even have ramps. Instead the cargo bay floor ends just slightly aft of the main wheels. Everything aft of the cargo compartment is just aerodynamic fairings. Many Skyvans have removed their fold-upwards rear cargo doors because they interfere with parachutists exiting. Despite the fact that Shorts quit making Skyvans more than 25 years ago, they are still popular for training parachutists because they can fly for 1/10 the cost of a dedicated military transport (e.g. C-130 Hercules).
Even with the short distance between main wheels and ramp edge, I have still seen two Skyvans tipped back on their tails when all 20 skydivers crowded towards the edge. I have also seen a Skyvan stall and spin in flight. I was number 17 in the line-up and did not enjoy the ride! The pilot landed white as a sheet!
Despite wrinkled sheet aluminum fins, they were still flyable, but eventually got expensive repairs. Consider how expensive it is to repair an airplane that has been out of production for more than a decade!

C-130 ramp hinge is still near the main wheels, and they often strap cargo to the ramp before closing it. However, larger cargo planes carry a navigator plus a couple of load-masters who all cross-check weight-and-balance calculations to confirm that the plane is properly balanced.

Returning to Russian MI-38T helicopters ... balance is still important when un-loading during hovering (perhaps because ground is too soft for landing). If too many infantrymen crowd the ramp, the helicopter will tip back on its tail and might break its tail rotor. Mi-38T's complex cargo ramp reveals old Soviet thinking about how mission is most important and production costs are only calculated very late in the process. I suspect that after Mi-38Ts have hauled cargo - for a few decades - their fancy fairings will be left back at base. Fairings are only important during high-speed cruise.

 

[Deino]

Wow ... nice scheme!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1766026363822023006

View: https://twitter.com/RupprechtDeino/status/1766026363822023006

PS: As it seems, they are for Kolyma Aviation

Kolyma Aviation received two Mi-38-4 helicopters

On March 4, 2024, the airline OGUP Aviation Kolyma announced the beginning of a four-day flight of two Mi-38-4 helicopters it received from the Kazan Helicopter Plant (as part of Russian Helicopters JSC) to their permanent base in Magadan. Kolyma Aviation declares that it has become the first...

vpk.name

 

[Anduriel]

It's another argument for theory that TV7-117 engine's issues are mostly solved.