Russian Mi-38T Military Transport Helicopter Makes Maiden Flight

Russian Helicopters’ new Mi-38T variant military transport helicopter made its debut flight last week.

In the future, during the joint special flight tests, the systems and equipment of the Mi-38T helicopter will be checked for compliance with the requirements of the technical specifications of the Russian Defense Ministry, the company said in a statement Monday.

“The appearance of the first model of the Mi-38T is certainly an important event for both the holding and the Ministry of Defense, which next year will have to start operating helicopters of this type. In the near future, we expect the start of joint flight tests, which will result in further purchases of Mi-38T helicopters for the needs of the VKS as part of the state armaments program 2018-2025 years ", said Russian Helicopters General Director, Andrei Boginsky.

The Mi-38T was created on the basis of a certified civil helicopter Mi-38 with retrofitting to solve transport-landing tasks. The helicopter provides the possibility of conversion into a sanitary version and the installation of additional fuel tanks to increase the flight range

"Mi-38 helicopters will occupy a demanded niche, since the need for such a machine has long been experienced by oil and gas service companies, as well as in a number of civilian industries. Federation Denis Manturov. 

According to him, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia will consider the possibility of developing measures of state support for the supply of helicopters. “Moreover, taking into account the high export potential of the Mi-38 and the interest of foreign customers in such helicopters, it is possible that it will continue its promotion outside the Russian Federation,” the Russian Minister of Industry and Trade emphasized.

In addition, Denis Manturov noted that the Mi-38T has a high degree of automation: "The flight navigation system allows you to automatically fly along a given route and approach, stabilizing the spatial position in any flight mode, as well as automatic hovering."

The Mi-38 is equipped with new domestic TV7-117V engines, an integrated digital flight-navigation system with data indication on five LCD displays, an explosion-proof protected fuel system. Also, the helicopter was equipped with additional supports on the landing gear for landing on soft ground and snow. 

The areas of use of the Mi-38 helicopters are cargo and passenger transportation, search and rescue operations, VIP transportation.