By DD Nair
Moscow. 25 May 2022. Amidst international hostility towards Russia for the special operation in Ukraine, HeliRussia 2022 not only took off , showcased and did business. The achievements of the Russian Helicopter industry along with an opportunity to meet industry leaders, directors of companies and discuss issues of cooperation and interaction, made the show a buyer-seller platform as always.
“It is important that Russia prioritises efforts to strengthen the aviation sector’s significant potential. The air ambulance service continues to develop actively under the national project Healthcare. We upgrade helicopters that have won a reputation for themselves, and we design new advanced models, including the innovative Mi-171AZ helicopter that has been developed for offshore operations and for servicing offshore drilling platforms and the Ka-32A11M fire-fighting helicopter. These achievements were made possible by the creative and constructive work of people at research and development centres, specialised industrial enterprises, teams of designers and engineers who addressed their tasks in a responsible manner,” said the President of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin , in his message to the show.
The most important news emanating from the show was on Day 2, when Rosoboronexport (part of the state tech corporation Rostec) stated that while negotiations are underway for the supply of another 120 aircraft and helicopters are supposed to be delivered to 24 countries by 2025 under firm contracts. While addressing the media at Heli Russia 2022 CEO Alexander Mikheyev stated that this year the company plans to deliver helicopters worth more than $1 billion to foreign customers. “Rosoboronexport’s portfolio of orders includes over 200 helicopters of various modifications worth more than $3 billion,” he said.
Russian Helicopters was cynosure of all eyes and its displays both static and flying attracted attention from prospective buyers in medi-care, commercial and military spheres. Ansat in an ambulance version, as supplied for the National Air Ambulance Service (NSSA) was on display was now fitted with a “glass cockpit” electronic display system. Integrated onboard radio-electronic equipment is produced by the Concern Radio-Electronic Technologies. The Ansat cabins were prepared for the installation of medical modules. These aircraft are designed to transport one patient accompanied by two medical specialists.
First modernized Ansat ambulances for NSSA are on duty in Tambov, Tula, Ryazan, Beslan, Novosibirsk, Samara and other cities and regions. Due to the short takeoff preparation time important for emergency medevac the Ansat is an efficient air ambulance.
Another exhibit was Ansat Aurus, a certified version of the premium Ansat helicopter. The first Ansat Aurus has already been used for business flights at official events. nsat Aurus Design project was created by specialists of FSUE “NAMI”, the leading Russian scientific organization specializing in automotive development, the developer and manufacturer of the Aurus luxury cars brand.
The unmanned helicopter-based aerial system BAS-200 presented at the exhibition is suitable for a wide range of operations: area monitoring, cargo delivery, search and rescue missions and agricultural work. The maximum takeoff weight of the drone is 200 kilograms. It can speed up to 160 km/h and carry a payload of up to 50 kg. At the same time, the BAS-200 is capable of flying up to 4 hours at altitudes up to 3900 meters.
BAS-200 is currently undergoing a cycle of flight tests. The aircraft is adapted to different weather conditions. A series of test flights were conducted in December 2021, during which an airborne gravity survey using a UAV was performed for the first time. The tests were conducted jointly with the specialists of Aerogeophysica and Gazpromneft R&D center and confirmed the general possibility of performing airborne gravity measurements with the new generation of airborne gravity meters using UAVs as carriers.
The development of the BAS-200 project and flight tests of the UAV are conducted by the Mil and Kamov National Center for Helicopter Engineering. As part of the HeliRussia 2022 business program the Mil and Kamov specialists held the conference “Regional demand priorities for the UAVs application: Cases and prospects” to discuss possible applications of UAVs, priorities, and market demand for unmanned aerial vehicles.
JSC ODK Klimov of Rostec United Engine Corporation is working on adapting the VK-650V for the engine replacement in Ansat, Ka-226T and other helicopters. “Considering the wide application opportunities of the VK-650V, bench tests will be carried out with the prototypes of the commonality-based engine. This year we have to provide the Ansat helicopter with full-scale mock-ups for systems layout, and next year we have to supply the engines for flight tests. In 2024 we plan to obtain a type certificate for a domestic turboshaft engine for Ansat and Ka-226T helicopters,” said Vladimir Artyakov, First Deputy CEO of Rostec State Corporation.
The advantages of the VK-650V include modular design, long engine life, and digital auto-regulation system of the FADEC type. The commonality-based engine is suitable for various types of multi-purpose helicopters, both in twin-engine and single-engine versions. Engineering tests of the power plant are currently underway.
Rosoboronexport demonstrated the Ka-52 scout/attack helicopter, upgraded versions of the Mi-28NE attack and Mi-171Sh military transport helicopters, as well as the Mi-38T transport/assault helicopter. In addition, visitors to the company’s booth had the opportunity to get acquainted with the Mi-35M transport/attack helicopter, Mi-17V-5, Ka-32A11M, Ka-226T and Ansat military transport and utility helicopters.
Heli Russia 2022 saw companies which develop and produce automatic control systems, flight and flight and navigation systems , on-board control panels for aircraft, on-board equipment for airships , aircraft chassis and components, Development and production of aviation radio communication equipment, search and rescue equipment, test equipment for radio communication facilities, as well as cable products for aviation, development and production of on-board systems and components for aviation technology , special ground equipment and chopper integrators.
In the area of MRO the show had provider of services for the organization and implementation of complex repair and maintenance services, as well as the modernization of aviation equipment, supply of spare parts and assemblies, organization of repairs, manufacture of equipment and ground support facilities, companies which help in supply of spare parts and parts were all present.
Manufacturers and installators of LED, light signal, meteorological and other equipment for heliports and landing sites also exhibited at Heli Russia. Preparation, processing and supply of aeronautical data for TAWS; On-board multifunctional BMS systems; AZN-V; RAAS systems was also on display along with thermal imaging devices, radiometrical equipment, electro-optical position finding devices and companies providing the full range of services while purchasing and operating helicopters from the USA and Europe on the territory of the Russian Federation and the CIS countries.
Heli Russia 2022 was the 15th Heli Russia and attracted as much attention as ever and great domestic participation.
