Когда в далеком XV веке гениальный изобретатель и the artist Leonardo da Vinci created his own project of an aircraft, he did not suspect how far ahead of his time. Only in the XX century. appeared the first operating machines using the principle of the great Italian.
The first experiments on the construction of the current modelhelicopter fall at the beginning of the twentieth century, when petrol engines appeared with a power sufficient to provide the lift of the main rotor. Among the pioneers of helicopter construction were Russian designers: Igor Sikorsky (created two operating models) and Boris Yuryev (invented the mechanism of skewing the propeller). The beginning of the Second World War spurred research in the field of helicopter construction, and in the 1940s the first production models of rotorcraft were created. Almost immediately new aircraft interested the military, but only the US war in Vietnam fully revealed the combat potential of helicopters.
In the Soviet Union, they tried to keep up withpotential enemy in the creation of helicopters, therefore, two design bureaus were created, Kamov and Mil, developing rotorcraft. Aviation fans know that these aircraft designers use a different scheme for their cars. If Kamov helicopters have two coaxial screws rotating in the opposite direction relative to each other, then the Mil engines are used to rotate the tail rotor. According to the terms of reference, the development of the Mi-8 was planned as a modernization of the main Soviet Mi-4 helicopter, and began in 1959. But the designer succeeded, by enlisting the support of Khrushchev, to insist on the creation of a practically new machine. So the legendary "eight" was born - the most mass and most recognizable Soviet helicopter. On its basis, many modifications have been created, some of them, being machines for electronic warfare, are secret to the present day.
В связи с тем, что "восьмерка" очень быстро стала popular not only in the USSR, but also interested foreign allies, it was decided to create a special modification of the helicopter for delivery to foreign markets. If you compare the Mi-8 and Mi-17, namely, an export machine received such an index, the main difference of the helicopter is immediately evident: the tail rotor on the tail beam is on the left (at the Mi-8 on the right). It was also planned to make changes to the design of the seventeenth, according to the requirements of a particular operator. The Mi-17 helicopter is produced in Kazan and Ulan-Ude.
Structurally, the Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters areactually one model. The main difference lies in the location of the steering screw, its direction of rotation and the shortened nacelle power units. The carrier screw is equipped with an oscillation damper, its blades are made of fiberglass. The Mi-17 helicopter is equipped with two gas turbine power plants with a capacity of 1400 kW. In case of failure of one unit, it is possible to continue the flight on the remaining engine. The transmission is a VR-14 reducer. The Mi-17 helicopter uses equipment that provides piloting under difficult meteorological conditions and at night, and on military modifications - the device of shooting heat traps and dipole reflectors. As weapons, the GSh-23 cannon and a large-caliber machine gun are used. It is also possible to place a variety of combat installations on an external suspension.
The power of helicopter engines is 2х1400 kW, carryingscrew diameter of 21.29 meters, speed: maximum - 250 km / h, cruising - 240 km / h, flight range - 465 kilometers. As we see, the Mi-17 characteristics are at a sufficiently high level and do not lag behind the parameters of more modern machines.
Начиная с 1981 года, когда вертолет Ми-17 получил his ticket to life, was released a large number of its modifications, both in civilian and military versions. Let's consider some of them. The Mi-17P is designed to carry passengers, there is its version of "Salon", which is used for VIP-persons. The Mi-17 rescue helicopter, the photo of which is given in the article, has the M index, is equipped with an arrow with a winch and a flight searchlight to search for objects at night. Mi-17-1B is a transport vehicle with increased engine power and carrying capacity. Among other things, it is also intended for landing. In this case, the external suspension is equipped with standard armament.
In the late 80-ies of the twentieth century was producedmodernization of the Mi-17, which began to be produced under the Mi-171 index. On its basis, a flying hospital Mi-171VA was equipped with an operating room. It was intended to provide emergency medical care and evacuation of the wounded from hard-to-reach areas. The Mi-172 is a helicopter for carrying passengers with increased power of a new power plant. On the basis of the Mi-17, a flying "ecological laboratory" was also created, which is designed to monitor the state of the environment. The helicopter is equipped with equipment for probing the surface of the earth and the atmosphere, radiological control, as well as analysis of the ecological condition of the area. The fire option is designed to localize and eliminate the fire in remote and remote areas and in the forest. Equipped with a spillway device with a total volume of 2 cubic meters. The next modification of the helicopter, the Mi-17PL, is a jammer with phased array antennas. It is designed to suppress radar stations of aircraft and anti-aircraft missile systems, disrupt the work of enemy air defense systems. The system allows choosing the most effective type of interference for specific sources of radio emission. Mi-17MD - modernized Mi-17 helicopter (photo of improved contours of the forward part of the fuselage is presented in the article). For fast loading and unloading paratroopers, the sliding doors of the cabin from the port side were increased to 1.25 meters. Provided, in case of an emergency landing on water, a buoyancy support system consisting of four ballonets that are filled with gas for half a minute and keep the helicopter afloat for up to thirty seconds. The helicopter can be equipped with additional equipment and tanks.
From the very beginning of its production, helicoptersMi-17 have gained immense popularity in different parts of the globe. And even now, having stepped over their thirtieth anniversary, these machines conquer the sky of almost a hundred countries and serve in the United Nations. They can be found on all continents: from cold Antarctica to hot Africa. Helicopters deliver a variety of cargo and passengers, extinguish fires and evacuate the wounded, fighting. The most numerous Mi-17 park belongs to Russia and the countries of the post-Soviet space. From far-abroad countries that use these machines in both civilian and military spheres, it is possible to single out India, Iraq, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, Sudan and Turkey. I would especially like to note the aircraft of Iraq and Afghanistan. To replenish it, the Pentagon has concluded a contract with Rosoboronexport for the supply of about a hundred Mi-17 helicopters. The US, which has a very well-developed aircraft manufacturing industry, acknowledged that the Russian helicopter is most fully adapted for exploitation in high mountains and deserts, reliable and unpretentious in service. On the basis of these supplies, even a conflict arose between the US Army and US lawmakers: The Pentagon demanded that sanctions imposed against Russia should not concern the contract for Mi-17 helicopters. Also of interest is the fact that for use in police units Mi-17 have chosen countries such as Romania, Sudan, Turkey and South Korea. Proceeding from all above-stated, it is possible to draw a conclusion: above such successful machines as Ми-8 - 17, time itself is not imperious, and though it has already passed more than 50 years since the first helicopters of this model have risen in air, this machine still is in demand and has a good resource for further modernization.
