The latest military helicopters and helicopters of the future. Helicopter future. Problems of the Russian helicopter fleet

To reach the modern heights of technical excellence, Russian helicopters have come a long way. Military rotorcraft appeared first, then it was the turn of civilian aircraft.

For a long time The only means of flight remained the airplane. Its flight principle had a serious drawback - the need to constantly move to stay in the air. In addition, he needed a runway. This limited the scope of application of such devices. There was often a need for devices that could take off and land vertically, and their ability to fly would not depend on the speed of movement. After much research and experimentation, a helicopter filled this niche.

The history of helicopters

People have dreamed of flying since ancient times. The use of the principles on the basis of which rotorcraft now fly was thought about back in ancient China. Europe also did not stand aside. Among the drawings discovered after the death of Leonardo da Vinci, images of devices with the resemblance of blades were found.

In Russia, Mikhail Lomonosov was designing a vertical take-off propeller mechanism, which he intended to use for meteorological observations.

For the first time in history, a vertical takeoff was performed in France by the Breguet brothers.

Under the leadership of Professor Charles Richet, they created a device that rose half a meter above the ground.

A major breakthrough in the development of helicopters occurred in 1911, when Russian engineer Boris Yuryev designed a swashplate that controls the tilt of the helicopter rotor axis. This solved the problem of obtaining horizontal speed. Subsequently, many researchers in Argentina, France, Italy and other countries began to study such devices.

In the USSR, the first flight on a rotorcraft was made by Alexey Cheremukhin in 1932. He climbed to a height of 605 meters and set a world record. Three years later, Louis Breguet was able to reach speeds above 100 km/h. After this, all doubts about the feasibility of developing helicopter manufacturing, primarily in military field.

Development of helicopter manufacturing in the USSR and the USA

American helicopters were started by Russian engineer Igor Sikorsky. In the USSR, he was involved in the development of airplanes, and after moving to the USA he founded a company creating helicopters. In 1939, the first VS-300 device was created, designed according to the classic single-rotor Yuryev design.

During the first demonstration flights, the designer himself controlled his creation. In 1942, the VS-316 model, developed by order of the US government, appeared. It was used mainly for communications and rescue operations.

The Sikorsky company continued to improve its devices, and in 1946 an autopilot appeared for the first time in the S-51 model.

In the 1930s, helicopter manufacturing was not given enough attention in the Soviet Union. In 1940, Boris Yuryev was allowed to create design department, but the war began, and they had to forget about helicopters. After the end of the war, rotary-wing aircraft began to spread throughout the world.

In the USSR, two design bureaus were created, headed by Mikhail Mil and Nikolai Kamov. They used a single-screw and coaxial design in their designs, respectively. By the end of the 1940s, several models were submitted to the competition. The winner was the Mi-1 device produced by KB Mil.

Prospects for the development of combat helicopters

The general vector of development of rotary-wing aircraft is the desire to create an apparatus that combines positive sides helicopters with the speed characteristics of airplanes. First of all, combat helicopters should receive such capabilities. In many countries, including Russia and the USA, there are programs to develop helicopters of the future.

A promising option for using a pusher screw is implemented in American project S-97 Raider. It is expected that it will be able to reach speeds of up to 450 km/h. Its important advantage will be the ability to fly at high altitudes.

A revolutionary jet helicopter project (Ka-90) is being developed in Russia. Its take-off, landing and initial acceleration should take place according to the helicopter principle.

For getting high speed the jet engine will turn on, accelerating the device to 800 km/h.

The rapid development of technology gives more and more autonomy to both individual subsystems and entire units. Many functions that are currently performed by helicopters will be taken over by unmanned vehicles in the future.

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Problems of the Russian helicopter fleet

After another Mi-24 crash in Primorye, the question of the extremely critical condition of the entire helicopter fleet of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation was again raised. Aging machines and the lack of modern equipment on board a helicopter during intensive operation sooner or later lead to an aviation accident. However, the state defense order program provides for a complete renewal of the helicopter fleet. We can only hope that this will happen soon.

What does the coming day have in store for us?

At the end of the collapse of the USSR (1991) at the Ministry of Defense Soviet Union there were more than 5,000 helicopters. Most of these machines went to the Russian Armed Forces, which currently operate about 1,500 helicopters of all classes. For over a decade and a half, the helicopter fleet was not updated, which led to a sharp reduction in aircraft. Of course, a number of new vehicles were put into service, including the combat Ka-50. But this was a purely nominal step, since new models did not enter mass production, despite the fact that the need for rotary-wing aircraft did not decrease. After all, the army still faced the task of repelling possible aggression, and armed conflicts arose one after another on the territory of the former Union, often with the participation of Russia itself. In addition, the helicopter remains one of the strategically important military vehicles. This machine found work everywhere: from military units near Moscow and all the way to Kamchatka.

But despite this, Russian helicopter production continued to decline due to lack of proper funding, so at the end of the 90s no more than 40 units were produced per year, of which very little was intended for the army. And they practically forgot about the modernization of helicopter equipment during this period. The remaining “livestock” had to be maintained in technical service only thanks to the titanic efforts of the technical staff, often at the expense of parts of military equipment that had completely failed.

Transfer of military aviation from Ground Forces, where it was the first in importance, in the air defense and air force, only aggravated the current situation, since the combined air defense and air force still primarily paid attention to maintaining their own traditional equipment - anti-aircraft missile systems and airplanes.

According to the Ministry of Defense, this organizational issue should be resolved through military reform, which will transfer all army aviation units to the commanders of military districts. Of course, the consequences of this step cause additional controversy, the discussion of which would be enough for more than a dozen articles. But let's return to the issue of replacing outdated helicopters with new equipment.

The delivery of the latest helicopters to military units began only in the second half of the 2000s. Thus, during the period 2007-2009, the Ministry of Defense received about 70 units, and in 2010, production rates increased, and the military already received 59 brand-new helicopters. In 2011, it is planned that the number of delivered vehicles will exceed one hundred. This will happen for the first time since 1991. In total, according to the concluded contracts, the total number of helicopters received by the end of 2015 by the Ministry of Defense should be 450 machines. But this number is likely to increase, as this moment Several more agreements are in the process of being signed.

In total, according to the current GPV-2020, the Ministry of Defense plans to update the helicopter fleet by 80%, which is over 1,200 machines. The complete replacement of outdated equipment can be predicted already at the beginning of the 20s. After this, the military department will only have to maintain it in proper condition and update it in a timely manner. What will be the actual content of the helicopter fleet?

Kamov and Mil: who will win?

Back in mid-June 1982, the first helicopter took to the skies. Ka-50,

which at that time bore the code B-80, and literally less than six months later set off to conquer the skies and Mi-28.

The competition between these promising machines from the Mil and Kamov design bureaus arose back in December 1976, from the very minute when the resolution of the USSR Council of Ministers and the CPSU Central Committee was promulgated on the start of work on the project of a new combat helicopter, which in the future should replace the recently launched one Mi-24.

Both helicopters had excellent technical characteristics, so the choice was not easy. In October 1983, there was one question on the agenda of a meeting between the Ministry of Defense and representatives of the aviation industry - compare and select combat vehicle from B-80 and Mi-28. Most of those present liked the B-80, since its price-quality ratio and flight performance were superior to the Mi-28. Comparative tests that were carried out during 1984 also showed that the B-80 was superior to the Mi-28, so already in October 1984, the Minister of Aviation Industry signed an order to prepare its serial production.

Unfortunately for the designers of the Kamov Design Bureau, the execution of the order was delayed for some time. The reason for this was that the newest helicopter with its “main caliber” - the Vikhr ATGM - turned out to be a very complex product, which took a long time to master. OKB Mil did not waste time and eliminated all the shortcomings of its prototype Mi-28, thus creating in 1988 new model– Mi-28A. But it just so happened that none of these promising combat vehicles entered mass production until 1991, and the collapse of the USSR completely left both projects in a “suspended” state.

In the meantime, the designers did not stop working on their brainchildren, constantly improving them, and so they appeared Ka-52

And Mi28N,

which it was decided to put into mass production. However, the purpose of these combat vehicles will be different. The Mi-28 should completely replace aviation veterans in combat units, and the Ka-52 will go to units special purpose, and in addition, it will be a carrier-based helicopter as part of the Russian Navy. This truly “Solomon solution” will make it possible to make maximum use of the advantages of both helicopters. The main advantage of the Mi-28 (apart from powerful armor) is its continuity with its predecessor, the Mi-24, which facilitates retraining and training of new personnel. Agree that this quality is simply necessary for the main army helicopter. The Ka-52 is equipped with more modern equipment, has better flight characteristics and less noise. Initially, it was planned that the Ministry of Defense would acquire from 200 to 300 Mi-28 and 100 Ka-52, but due to the conclusion of a contract for construction for the Navy Russian Federation UDC "Mistral" and the choice of the Ka-52 as a carrier-based attack helicopter, the number of orders for this combat vehicle may increase to 200.

In addition to these two combat vehicles, the Mi-24 and their deeply modernized followers will remain in the Russian military helicopter fleet Mi-35.

Taking into account the current GPV-2020, by the end of 2020 in Russian army there will be over 500 units of this military equipment.

The word “modern” may evoke a skeptical smile. After all, how can you call something modern that was designed back in the 70s? But judging by world experience, it is possible. For example, the famous European Tiger helicopter. Its creation began in 1973, the prototype took off in 1991, and went into mass production only in the mid-2000s.

It should be noted that today the main task in helicopter engineering is to increase flight speed. This problem is being solved in almost all countries where the aviation industry is developed (particular attention is paid to this issue in the USA). In order to find the right solution, it is necessary to minimize the harmful drag and increase the capabilities of the rotor. To reduce drag, helicopter fuselages in designers' projects are acquiring more and more advanced aerodynamic shapes; in some projects, the option of using retractable landing gear is even considered. Most of the newest helicopter rotors have improved geometric shapes than their predecessors. Foreign military designers admit that a helicopter speed of 400 km/h will be achieved in the near future. This is facilitated by the emergence of new materials and new technology for the production of screws. Over the past decade, the interests of specialists have gradually shifted towards the development of a jet rotor. Prototypes have already been manufactured in the USA, Germany and others Western countries. The main jet rotor is launched using a straight-line jet of gases, which passes through slots located along the trailing edge in the last third of each blade. There is an opinion that increasing the speed and improving the technical characteristics of a helicopter can be achieved by “stopping” the main rotor during flight. The landing and takeoff of such a unit will be carried out like a helicopter, and the flight itself will take place like an airplane. So, for example, in one of the developed projects, the main “locking” propeller rotates only during “takeoff” and “landing” under the influence jet thrust, which is obtained due to the nozzles at the ends of the blades, and during flight it stops and even acts as a small wing.

The exhaust gases of the jet engine are sent through valves to the tail nozzle, where they create thrust for forward motion. At the same time, the propeller is retracted when moving horizontally at a speed of 150-250 km/h. However, when testing these ultra-modern designs, it was discovered that when the propeller stops in flight and is subsequently retracted, moments of the helicopter tipping over occur. This is due to unequal loads on the propeller blades. While solving the problem, English designers created a rigid propeller whose hollow blades have a round cross-section, providing increased rigidity.

The design of such a rotor reduces its sensitivity to wind gusts and eliminates capsizing moments. Also, its advantage over the others is that it can be stopped in flight without being retracted into the fuselage. Studies of this main rotor model have confirmed the possibility of creating a new economical aircraft with low noise and vertical landing and take-off. Also, the latest wing helicopter designs increase its speed, improve its maneuverability and stability.

Such schemes are already being implemented. The most reliable of these is the rotorcraft design, which not only has a wing, but also an additional engine that it needs to create additional horizontal thrust. When testing the rotorcraft, a record flight speed was achieved - 480 km/h. The solution to the problem of increasing the speed of a helicopter can be increasing the engine power, as well as improving its design. As a result of experiments to increase the payload, a solution was found to create a helicopter with a payload capacity of 20 to 100 tons. Since 1970, some American companies have begun developing a helicopter with a payload capacity of 50 tons. It is known that now designers different countries are working on developing a helicopter with a lifting capacity of 100 tons. To improve flight safety, helicopters with such a payload will most likely be equipped with two engines.

Due to the growing demand for helicopters among the military, which have to solve more and more problems, Lately The requirements for helicopter on-board equipment are also increasing. This equipment is constantly being improved due to new applied principles of design of plants, subsystems and parts, as well as through the use of latest technologies. Lasers are being used more and more often, radar antennas are being improved, thanks to which the operation of navigation devices is improving. For example, the weight of navigation devices in 1965 was 125 kg, and the use of transistors makes it possible to reduce the weight of reduced navigation devices to 17 kg.

The cost of all electronic equipment of a modern military helicopter takes up 15% of the total cost. And this is not the limit, since in the near future electronics will account for almost 40% of the total cost. The materials used in the construction of fuselages have also stepped forward. Nowadays, titanium is increasingly used in helicopter construction, and fiberglass is used for secondary structures. Designers are also working on creating single-seat helicopters. Prototypes have already proven their right to life as a combat vehicle.

Thus, an experimental single-seat helicopter was built in Germany. Its net weight is 152 kg, maximum take-off weight is 270 kg, rate of climb is 4.5 m/sec, maximum speed is 130 km/h, cruising speed is 105 km/h, service ceiling is 4100 m, distance is 40 l fuel - 2130 km. There are also unmanned cargo helicopters designed to transport material assets. You can safely risk this if you need it during combat. And with its help you can overcome difficult terrain. Military units with special helicopters will be able to instantly react based on the situation, that is, concentrate or disperse forces, help infantry overcome bridges, etc. Some German theorists voice the possibility of creating units of armored fighter helicopters, armored combat helicopters, transport helicopters for landing motorized infantry , which will be able to fight in battle also from helicopters. Of course she is military unit must have maximum maneuverability along with firepower in order to carry out its tasks of conducting independent combat operations. The creation of such units could signal the beginning of the transition from infantry military units to airmobiles.

Considering the above, could the re-equipment of the Russian Army's helicopter fleet have happened earlier? Of course yes. It was possible to begin serial production of the updated Mi-35 and ship at least 20 helicopters per year to the Russian Air Force at the very beginning of the 2000s, but most likely this would have led to the fact that the Mi-28 would never have made it into production.

Marine and transport helicopters remain the same

If in the ranks of the armed forces there were as many as two promising projects, then with civil aviation everything remains the same, that is, average Mi-8

and heavy Mi-26

They will replace them, but only heavily modernized ones, with the latest equipment and new engines. And this will not be done for reasons of economy, not at all. It’s just that today the aviation industry cannot yet provide them with an alternative. In general, the planned volume of purchases of these vehicles is not known for certain, but based on some data, it can be assumed that about 500 Mi-8 vehicles will be purchased, and about 40 Mi-26 vehicles.

The same trend can be seen with maritime helicopters. In the coming years Ka-27

and its modernized “brothers” will still play the role of the first (and only) violin. This was announced by the chief designer of the Kamov Design Bureau, Sergei Mikheev, at the naval show held in St. Petersburg: “Navy aviation today is in a difficult situation. It has not been funded for almost 20 years. By the end of the 80s, we managed to re-equip the naval aviation with the Ka-27 and its modifications. Then the design bureau created a civilian version of the Ka-27 - the Ka-32, and the sale of this helicopter made it possible to support the production of units and components, which ultimately helped to keep fleet helicopters in service. Today, despite the increase in state defense orders, no special funds are allocated for R&D on new topics, and this serious problem. Therefore, we shouldn’t expect any fundamentally new machines in the foreseeable future, but we continue to improve the existing ones.”

However, there are new helicopters that should be in demand as training, reconnaissance and light transport vehicles. First of all this Ka-60/62

and the own development of the Kazan factory design bureau, which is known as "Ansat".

Total number There will be about 200 light helicopters in the army aviation together with the naval aviation.

However, to say that manufacturers are not working at all on creating a new medium-sized transport vehicle means inviting anger on one’s own head. The new helicopter is already being tested Mi-38,

which by technical specifications very similar to the EH-101 Merlin, which is also actively used for military purposes. The Ministry of Defense reports that it is ready to consider the possibility of purchasing the Mi-38, but only after testing the helicopter is completed. And this will happen no earlier than 2014. Of course, a hundred of these helicopters would be a great help in the ranks of the Mi-8 and Mi-26.

And instead of a heart - a fiery engine

The heart of any vehicle is the engine, therefore the development and production of aircraft engines for helicopters is the most important task, the solution of which directly determines the implementation of the current GPV-2020 in its helicopter part. Back in the mid-2000s, an important strategic decision was made to establish the production of helicopter engines in Russia, which until that moment were mainly purchased in Ukraine. The solution is a solution, but in practice it has not yet been possible to launch such production in full, which is why Ukrainian engines produced by the Motro Sich company are still installed on Russian helicopters.

This situation is acceptable as long as Kyiv maintains friendly relations with Russia. But if you look at this issue from a different angle, then depend on most domestic helicopter program from the Ukrainian government is not the best option. Therefore, the primary task of the defense industry complex Oboronprom, which monitors not only the production of machines (Russian Helicopters), but also engines for them (United Engine Corporation - UEC), should be the expansion of domestic engine production. Certain shifts in this direction are already being felt. For example, a new design and production complex is being created on the basis of the St. Petersburg OJSC Klimov, which will be able to produce about 450 engines per year. Initially, it is planned to launch production of the VK-2500 and TV3-117 engines, as well as to begin developing new engine models. To achieve these goals, UEC received a loan of almost 5 billion rubles. The new production will be located in Shuvalovo.

Myth or reality?

It will be possible to get an answer to this question only after a few years, but a start has been made. And I must say that it’s a good start. Russian Helicopters has already produced over 200 aircraft since the beginning of the year. And this despite the fact that according to the plan, they need to deliver only 267 helicopters per year. Therefore, there is no doubt that they will increase the pace by 2015 and be able to produce 400 cars annually. Against the background of this development picture, the prospects for producing over 100 helicopters per year for the military department seem quite rosy. In fact, the implementation of the current Civil Procedure Code-2020 regarding helicopters depends only on three factors: support from the country’s leadership, economic development and systematic financing. If these factors are favorable, then in the early thirties of the 21st century the helicopter fleet of the Russian Army will be fully equipped with new modern combat and auxiliary vehicles.

Helicopters are military - they kill. And there are “peaceful” ones - they save. Without them, it would sometimes be impossible to evacuate the wounded from hard-to-reach areas or deliver humanitarian aid to the region of the natural disaster. Today we will talk about civil helicopters, the latest developments in domestic and foreign helicopter industry, and concepts for the distant future. Russia is among the world leaders in the production of helicopters, and the volume of products is growing every year.

If in 2007 the country's aviation enterprises produced a little more than 100 rotorcraft, then in 2012 - almost 300. Recently, Russia has taken third place in the global helicopter manufacturing market. At the end of 2013, the Russian Helicopters holding company, which includes all helicopter manufacturing companies in the country, produced more than 300 helicopters, including civil and military ones.

The dynamics cannot but please, but there are also some nuances here. The fact is that almost all models of Russian helicopters were basically developed in the USSR. Of course, it will not be possible to stand still forever and at the same time impose a fight on the world’s leading manufacturers. At some stage, the legacy of the Soviet Union will exhaust itself, and fundamentally new developments require appropriate funding and human resources. Among the models of Russian rotary-wing aircraft, light helicopters stand out - Ansat and Ka-226 - they were created after the collapse of the Union. But these helicopters, like some other new models, have not become widespread either in Russia or abroad. After all, it’s important new technology always needs improvement, and harsh conditions In the 1990s, funding for new developments was very conditional. Thus, the implementation of many projects began only now, with a great delay.

Even today, the most popular models are those developed on the basis of the legendary Soviet Mi-8 helicopter. We will start with one of these machines.

Mi-8 / ©Armedman

Mi-8 is one of the most popular helicopters in world history. In total, from 1965 to the present day, about 12 thousand of these machines were built. Mi-8 is used in more than 50 countries around the world. The helicopter has proven itself to be excellent for both peaceful and military purposes.

The promising Mi-171A2 helicopter made its debut at the MAKS-2013 air show. The close relationship of the new model with the G8 is visible to the naked eye: the Mi-171A2 inherited many features from its progenitor, combining simplicity and reliability with the requirements of the 21st century. When creating this machine, the wishes of the operators were fully taken into account. The new multifunctional helicopter can carry up to 24 passengers and carry up to 5 tons of cargo on an external sling. During the tests the stated maximum speed– 280 km/h. Compared to previous modifications of the Mi-8, the Mi-171A2 has a more powerful engine, an improved fuselage design and fundamentally new electronics.

Mi-17 / ©Russian Helicopters

Mi-171A2 avionics complex / ©UKBP

Domestic aircraft manufacturers associate big hopes with the new multi-purpose helicopter Mi-38. The development of a promising machine began back in the 1980s. It was planned that the “thirty-eighth” would replace the Mi-8/Mi-17. Since then, a lot of water has passed under the bridge, and the project has undergone great changes. Like the vast majority of modern helicopters, the new machine has a “glass cockpit”, in which electronic displays are installed instead of analog instruments. It is planned that many modifications of the Mi-38 will be built, designed to solve a variety of tasks. In the passenger version, the helicopter will be able to carry up to 32 passengers. In other versions, it can be used for transporting cargo, evacuating the wounded, patrolling the sea and other purposes. In addition to civilian ones, it is planned to create a military version.

Mi-38 / ©Russian Helicopters

Peculiarity new car– widespread use of composite materials. In particular, the blades and non-power elements of the Mi-38 fuselage are made from composites. To date, the vehicle is being tested; a total of four prototypes have been built.

Mi-38 / ©Russian Helicopters

At the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant, another long-term construction project is underway - the Mi-54 multi-purpose helicopter. This machine is intended not so much to compete with the Mi-38, but to complement it and other new modifications of the Mi-8/17. Still, the Mi-54 is a helicopter of a slightly different class.
If the maximum take-off weight of the Mi-38 is 15.6 tons, then the take-off weight of the Mi-54 does not even reach 5 tons. It is smaller and more compact than the average Russian multi-purpose helicopters. The Mi-54 can accommodate from 10 to 12 passengers and is designed to solve a variety of tasks: cargo transportation, rescue operations, patrolling. It can also be used as a business class helicopter.

Mi-54 / ©Russian Helicopters

Despite all the innovation, the fate of the Mi-54 promised to be difficult from the very beginning. The project was born at the wrong time, in the wrong place - in the early 1990s, when it was not possible to count on the success of the development. The project is still at the research stage, and its future remains vague. Much less fear is caused by the fate of the brainchild of Kamov OJSC - the newest multi-purpose helicopter Ka-62. This beautiful car is a passenger version of the Ka-60 Kasatka military transport. The Ka-62 inherited many features from the base model, both external and internal. For example, the civilian version will be equipped with an RD-600 engine - the same unit is installed on the Kasatka. In terms of its potential capabilities, the new machine is close to the Mi-54: the maximum take-off weight of the Kamov helicopter is 6.5 tons, and the passenger capacity does not exceed 15 people. Like the Mi-54, the Ka-62 may be in demand in the business segment. Obviously, new helicopter will also be able to take over some of the functions that the Mi-8 still performs. The developers of the Ka-62 note the great export potential of their brainchild: during its creation, the wishes of potential customers from other countries were taken into account.

Whatever difficulties domestic aircraft manufacturers may face, one thing is clear: the new Mil and Kamova helicopters have great potential. At the same time, of all Russian projects in the field of helicopter manufacturing, the Mi-38 and Ka-62 can be considered the most promising.

Ka-62 / ©Russian Helicopters

Ka-62 engine / ©Wikipedia

Helicopter of the future

When we're talking about about innovations in the field of aircraft manufacturing, then, of course, the Americans are ahead of the rest. In 2008, the experimental high-speed helicopter Sikorsky X2 flew. Distinctive feature The new model was equipped with a pusher propeller located in the tail of the helicopter (similar to a propeller on sea vessels). This arrangement allowed the X2 to reach an incredible speed for a helicopter - 460 km/h, setting a new world record for horizontal speed among rotorcraft. The Sikorsky X2 rotors have a coaxial design, in which one rotor is located above the other, which was widely recognized thanks to the Soviet military development of the Ka-50. Despite the fact that $50 million was invested in the X2 program, it was closed in 2011. However, the developments obtained during the tests will be used for a new project - the promising combat rotorcraft Sikorsky S-97 Raider.

Sikorsky X2 / ©Sikorsky

S-97 / ©Sikorsky

However, the speed record set by American engineers did not last long: it was recently broken in Europe. In 2010, the experimental Eurocopter X3 took off. The basic model for the new project was multi-role helicopter A?rospatiale AS.365 Dauphin. In one test flight, the X3 reached a speed of 487 km/h. In addition, the new helicopter managed to set another world record - for the speed of vertical descent. X-Cube, as it has already been dubbed new development, combines vertical and horizontal thrust in its design. In addition to the main rotor, the helicopter has propellers and small “airplane” type wings.

Eurocopter X3 / ©Eurocopter

Like its American counterpart, the new helicopter is not destined to go into production. Eurocopter X3 is an experimental model, the main task of which is to test new capabilities. But you can be completely sure that the X3 tests will not be in vain. The experience gained by European aircraft manufacturers will be used to create a new high-speed helicopter, designated LifeCraft.

Very soon, China’s position in the global helicopter manufacturing market will strengthen. Aviation Industry Corp, the leading helicopter manufacturing company in the Middle Kingdom, is working on a variety of concepts for helicopters of the future. The main thing that all these developments have in common is a very high flight speed. Thus, the Chinese presented the Blue Whale concept of a heavy helicopter. According to the plans of the developers themselves, the speed of the aircraft will have to reach 700 km/h! The maximum carrying capacity of the device is also impressive, which will be 20 tons.

The Blue Whale has four tilting propellers, each equipped with four blades. During takeoff and landing, the propellers create vertical thrust, and when the device is in flight, horizontal thrust, like that of a tiltrotor. It is also planned to create a military helicopter based on Blue Whale.

Blue Whale / ©AVIC

In order to develop technologies for creating high-speed helicopters, the Chinese are also developing an unmanned high-speed Jueying-8. The drone has a coaxial design, and the declared speed will be 400 km/h.

With a request to comment on the possibility of implementing innovative projects in the field of helicopter engineering, we turned to Pavel Solyanik, senior lecturer at the Zhukovsky National Aerospace University: “The issue of implementing new schemes in the field of helicopter engineering lies, first of all, in the area of ​​economic feasibility. Undoubtedly, helicopters have enormous advantages: they are capable of hovering in the air and performing vertical takeoff and landing. But during takeoff or landing, a helicopter spends a lot of fuel. At the same time, fuel consumption during the flight is not so high. If we equip a rotorcraft with a pulling or pushing propeller, the flight speed will increase, but the fuel consumption will also increase. Thus, the helicopter may lose one of its main advantages - efficiency. Therefore, the development of high-speed helicopters of the future must be economically feasible.”

Russian concept

Today, Russia has come close to developing the concept of the helicopter of the future. The Ka-90 jet, first presented in 2008, is rightfully considered one of the most amazing projects. The device will take off like an ordinary helicopter, using a main rotor, and when it is in the air and gains the required speed, it will fold the propeller and turn on the turbojet engine, developing 800 km/h or more. However, this bold project may be fraught with a lot of risks. For example, it is completely unclear how exactly the stability and controllability of the Ka-90 will be ensured. The second question is whether such a technologically complex machine can pay for itself?

Another promising Kamov development is the Ka-92 passenger helicopter. The aircraft has a coaxial rotor design, plus one pusher. The cruising speed of the new car should be 450 km/h, passenger capacity – 30 people. One of its main features is its long flight range, reaching 1500 km. The development of the new rotorcraft is planned to be completed by 2020. Of all the concepts presented by Kamov, the heaviest is the Ka-102. According to the developers' plans, the take-off weight of the aircraft will reach 30 tons, and at a speed of up to 500 km/h it will be able to carry 80-90 passengers.

Ka-92 / ©Kamov

The new helicopter is created according to a longitudinal design with two horizontal rotors, with the rear one located slightly higher than the front one. The same scheme is implemented on the famous American military transport helicopter Boeing CH-47 Chinook. Apparently, the developers also intend to equip their creation with two turbojet engines. When successful implementation project, the Ka-102 in the future will be able to take over some of the functions currently performed by the Mi-26 heavy helicopter.

The Mil designers are not far behind the Kamov team: not so long ago they presented the concept of a medium-sized multifunctional helicopter of the future, which received symbol Mi-X1. It is implemented according to the usual scheme with one main and one pushing propellers. The concept of the Mi-X1 echoes the concept of the American experimental helicopter Piasecki X-49. And although the new project is devoid of revolutionary innovations, its future seems much more realistic than the construction of the futuristic Ka-90 or Ka-102. Be that as it may, classic helicopters will be in demand on the market for a very long time.

Ka-90 / ©Vitaly V. Kuzmin

Ka-90 / ©Kamov

Traditional helicopters like the Mi-8 will not change radically, says the famous Russian aviation specialist Pavel Bulat. – Their design approached the optimum 30 years ago. High-speed concepts, in my opinion, have no future: they are more expensive than airplanes and business jets of the same capacity. Vertical take-off is not of such fundamental importance, since these are expensive salon models. Although our Ka-90, Ka-92, Ka-102, Mi-X1 are conceptually no worse than Sicorsky X2 and Eurocopter. The very purpose of such devices is simply not clear. Helicopters have a purely functional and utilitarian future. Probably, flight qualities will improve, mechanics will become simpler, and jet blades will appear. If we talk about non-airfield high-speed vehicles, then this is something from a completely different opera, some kind of hybrid schemes based on airplanes, not helicopters.

With what the third largest producer helicopters in the world will conquer the market in the future?

The five helicopters of the future include light multi-purpose helicopters Ansat and Ka-226T, medium multifunctional helicopter Ka-62, holder of five world records Mi-38 and modernized transport and passenger Mi-171A2.

ANSAT
Development: 1994
KVZ
Project stage: tests in 2013
Load capacity: 1.3 t
Passengers: 8

The light Ansat helicopter, capable of carrying up to 8 passengers or 1.3 tons of cargo, was developed by the Kazan Helicopter Plant (KVZ). The first prototype was created in 1997, and began in 2004. serial production. Since then, the plant has produced 20 cars with electronic system control, which it was decided to replace with a hydromechanical one. Testing of the first prototype helicopter with the new control system will begin in the second half of 2013.

KA-226T
Development: modification of Ka-226 1997
OKB Kamov
Project stage: certification in 2013
Load capacity: 1.2 t
Passengers: 7

The Ka-226T light helicopter (capable of carrying up to seven passengers or 1.5 tons of cargo) is a modification of the Ka-226, which the Kamov Design Bureau created in 1997. In the fall of 2013, according to plans, the helicopter will be fully certified. Thanks to the modularity of the design, it can be used to rescue those in distress or become an ambulance, patrol specially protected areas and parachute special units to areas not equipped for this purpose, transport cargo on an external sling or inside the cabin.

KA-62
Development: 1990
OKB Kamov

Load capacity: 2 t
Passengers: 15

The Ka-62 medium helicopter (15 passengers or 2 tons of cargo) has been developed by Kamov since 1992. A full-size model was first shown in 1995, but then work on this project was curtailed due to lack of funds. The repeated presentation took place in 2012 within the framework of the Russian Helicopters holding company. According to the approved plans, the first flight of the Ka-62 will take place in the summer of 2013, the first deliveries will begin in 2015. The helicopter already has its first customer - the Brazilian company Atlas Táxi Aéreo.

MI-38
Development: 1987
KB Mil
Project stage: production in 2015
Load capacity: 6 t
Passengers: 30

The design of the medium multi-purpose helicopter Mi-38 (up to 30 passengers or 6 tons of cargo) began in 1987 to replace the Mi-8/Mi-17; serial production was planned to begin in 1998. As of today, the assembly of the third prototype has been completed, which is planned to be handed over to the helicopter developer, Mil Design Bureau, for flight testing in the near future. The fourth prototype is being assembled at KVZ. The start of serial production of the Mi-38 helicopter in Kazan is scheduled for 2015.

MI-171A2
Development: modification of the Mi-8 1961,
KVZ
Project stage: production in 2015
Load capacity: 5 t
Passengers: 24

The medium multi-purpose helicopter Mi-171A2 (up to 26 passengers or 5 tons of cargo) is another modification of the Soviet Mi-8, the production of which began in 1965 (since then 12,000 Mi-8s and their modifications have been produced). The first prototype of the Mi-171A2 helicopter is currently being assembled. At the final stage of assembly, new avionics, new radio-electronic equipment are being installed, and new VK-2500 engines are being installed. It is expected that the first prototype will be presented in August of this year. Certification of the helicopter is planned for the end of 2014, serial production for 2015.

The Kamov company is celebrating the 110th anniversary of the first helicopter flight in the world with new ideas for improving helicopters, without which life in modern society impossible to imagine. The general designer of Kamov OJSC, Sergei Mikheev, spoke in an interview with the website of the Zvezda TV channel about what the design of helicopters of the future will be, what speed they will be able to develop, what tasks they will perform and in what military operations they will be used.- Looking to the future, what will happen to combat helicopters? How will they change in 30 years?-50 years?- The development of combat helicopters will, of course, be the basis for the re-equipment of modern armed forces, since the helicopter in its capacity today represents a unique opportunity to act quickly, covertly and effectively. In this regard, military helicopters have an exceptionally good future. What will happen fundamentally? Of course, there will be a reduction in crew and much greater automation of modes.

These will be attack helicopters that are capable of maneuvering and flying at very high speeds. Perhaps twice as much as is being done now.

The development of combat vehicles will be carried out in many directions, including the improvement of equipment that helps carry out both flight mode and combat work.- What weapons will helicopters of the future be able to carry?- The means of destruction today are extremely diverse. They are being improved and created on new physical principles. Of course, all this will be reflected not only in helicopter manufacturing, but also on the battlefield in general. The helicopter, as a perfect machine, will use all this. It will be a single perfect complex, managed by a minimum number of people.
- Will it still be controlled by a person or, in the future, by a robot?- Of course, modern advances in process automation will also be reflected in helicopter manufacturing. The most dangerous operating modes will be carried out by the most automated aircraft. Today this is mainly reconnaissance, but in the future it will also combat use. Unmanned helicopters will firmly take their place. However, there are regimes and conditions in which a person is necessary. Therefore, the number of crew will be reduced.
Once upon a time, many years ago, they made a single-seat Ka-50 combat helicopter, which Air Chief Marshal Pavel Stepanovich Kutakhov really liked. Then we installed the complex developed for the Su-25 aircraft, which also has one crew member, on a helicopter. The result was the Ka-50 - a single-seat combat helicopter with a complex from the Su-25 aircraft. We had no doubt then that this vehicle was capable of fighting and fighting tanks.

The combat process will remain with the person. In this area, it is necessary to wisely distinguish between what the pilot does and what the machine gun helps him do. After all, the pilot is in charge of a helicopter.

Therefore, improvement will concern, first of all, trivial moments or moments that increase combat effectiveness - they will be given to automation. And the decision, of course, will be up to the person. What tasks will helicopters of the future be able to perform?- As for the tasks that helicopters will perform, to answer this question we need to look back. The Ka-27 helicopter was once developed for the Navy in three modifications: anti-submarine, search and rescue, and military transport.
Already today, when mass production has long been completed, we see up to eight positions, and they have already been introduced into the army. However, even this does not end the list of combat vehicles that are required today. Something else is important. We must strive to ensure that this is a unified helicopter capable of performing various tasks. This is a difficult, capacious, but necessary task for any design bureau.
Kamov, in particular, having in mind the number of vehicles that we make for the Navy, understands this very well. Our designers are working to ensure that this is universal machine, capable of mass production.

I believe that any military vehicle eventually becomes a civilian one. For example, the Mi-8 helicopter was born as a military helicopter, but for many years it became an indispensable transport helicopter, which is very widely exported. This is the fate of any machine that seriously aims at long life. Sooner or later she must become a civilian. This in many cases expands production, so any military vehicle must be technologically advanced and cheap.

- Will future helicopter designs change?- The design will be completely different. In my mind, this is the design of a high-speed vehicle: a sleek outline, placement of weapons inside the body, an exceptionally aerodynamically perfect vehicle, which is also necessary for another quality - less visibility.

A high-speed helicopter will have minimal harmful drag. It can be compared to an arrow, because that is what perfection is. His image will reduce harmful drag to a minimum, and he will be able to reach speeds of 500-600 km/h.

As the heir to the Kamov company, as a designer who has been continuing the work of Nikolai Ilyich Kamov for 50 years, I believe that this will be a coaxial helicopter.
I am deeply convinced that helicopter combat aviation, which originated less than 100 years ago, will take a leading position in contacts and combat operations near the front line. Including the speed of reaction to enemy actions. Therefore today combat aviation can be based on unprepared sites. The properties of the helicopter allow her to do this. But in all other respects, it must increase its speed, maneuverability, and increase its combat effectiveness.