Mil Mi-171Sh - most widely operated helicopter in history

• Some variants such as Mi-8AMTSh and Mi-171Sh have disposable stores on six hardpoints
• It is recognisable by the tail rotor on the port side
• the Mi-171Sh military transport helicopter is designed to perform delivery of manpower

Actual model numbers vary by builder, engine type, and other options. The sixteen Ulan Ude-built machines delivered to the Czech Air Force in 2005 with -VM model engines were designated as Mi-171Sh, a development of the Mi-8AMTSh. Modifications include a new large door on the right side, improved Czech-built APU, and Kevlar armour plates around the cockpit area and engines. Eight have a loading ramp in place of the usual clamshell doors and can load a vehicle up to the size of an SUV.

The modern version of the stalwart Mi-8 helicopter, the Mi-171Sh military transport helicopter is designed to perform delivery of manpower, transportation of cargoes and materials inside the cargo cabin or on the external sling as well as for airdropping of tactical troops, airlanding of reconnaissance and sabotage groups and destruction of ground objects. Its versatility includes being operated for medical evacuation, delivery of emergency medical healthcare onboard, and search and rescue missions in combat conditions.

Unlike its predecessor - Mi-8 helicopter – The Mi-171Sh has a three-bladed anti-torque rotor at the left rear side, and the intake openings are equipped with deflectors separating solid particles such as sand, dust etc, from air. 

The helicopter is equipped with excellent navigation and information system and modern design that enables safe day and night transport of personnel even under very adverse weather conditions. The basic version is used to fulfil military, police and civilian tasks. It is equipped with an effective system of air defence against infra-red-navigation missiles. The cockpit has three seats. The cargo compartment with its dimensions of 5.34 metres of length, 2.32 m of width, and 1.8 m of height, has a sliding door at the front left part of the fuselage and, at the rear, a large, double-wing loading door. It has a three-wheel non-retractable landing gear with a front double-tyred leg. An additional fuel tank can be mounted on each side of the fuselage to carry 1 830 litres of fuel in total.

Developed from the basic Mi-8 airframe, the Mi-17 was fitted with the larger Klimov TV3-117MT engines, rotors, and transmission developed for the Mi-14, along with fuselage improvements for heavier loads. Optional engines for "hot and high" conditions are the 1 545 kW (2 072 shp) Isotov TV3-117VM. Recent exports to China and Venezuela for use in high mountains have the new Klimov VK-2500 version of the Klimov TV3-117 engine with FADEC control.

Development

Known as the Mi-8MT by the Russian armed forces, the Mi-17 is the export version. It is recognisable by the tail rotor on the port side instead of the starboard side, and dust shields in front of the engine intakes. Engine cowls are shorter than on the TV2-powered Mi-8, not extending as far over the cockpit, and an opening for a bleed air valve outlet is present forward of the exhaust.

In March 2007, licensed production of the Mi-17 started in China, with production being led by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant JSC and the Sichuan Lantian Helicopter Company Limited in Chengdu, Sichuan Province as a joint venture. The variants planned to be built by Lantian include the Mi-171, Mi-17V-5, and Mi-17V-7. In 2021 it was reported that China was replacing the Russian-made Mi-17 with their own Z-20, except possibly for the Mi-171Sh assault helicopter.

Data from Russian Helicopters

General characteristics

    Crew:                            3 (pilot, copilot, engineer)

    Capacity:                      24 troops / 12 stretchers / 4 000 kg cargo internally / 5 000 kg externally slung.

    Length:                          18.465 m 

    Height:                          5.65 m 

    Empty weight:             7 489 kg 

    Gross weight:              11 100 kg 

    Max takeoff weight:   13 000 kg 

13 500 kg with under-slung load

    Powerplant:                 2 × Klimov VK-2500PS-03 turboshaft engines, 1 800 kW each for takeoff

2 000 kW  emergency rating

    Main rotor diameter: 21.25 m 

    Main rotor area:          354.7 m2 *Blade section: NACA 23012

Performance

Maximum speed:           280 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn)

    Cruise speed:             260 km/h (160 mph, 140 kn)

    Range:                           800 km (500 mi, 430 nmi)

    Service ceiling:           6 000 m (20,000 ft) *Hover ceiling OGE: 4,000 m 

    Rate of climb:             8 m/s (1,600 ft/min)

Armament

Some variants such as Mi-8AMTSh and Mi-171Sh have disposable stores on six hardpoints, including rockets such as S-8 and gun pods such as UPK-23-250. Some variants such as Mi-171SH-HV and Mi-171SH-VN can be armed with anti-tank guided missiles such as Ataka and precision-guided munitions along with other armaments. Have one or two window-mounted machine guns such as the PK.

Other hardpoints which can carry drop tanks, to increase the range, or up to 4 000 kg of bombs.