TSAMTO, November 23. Russian Helicopters Holding Company of Rostec State Corporation delivered the first batch of two Mi-171 helicopters with VK-2500-03 high-altitude engines to China under a contract with QINGDAO civil airline.
It is planned that the machines will be used to extinguish fires.
The contract with the civil airline QINGDAO for the supply of six Mi-171 helicopters with VK-2500-03 engines was signed in December 2019. The Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant will deliver the remaining four vehicles under this agreement in 2022.
"The use of helicopters is one of the most convenient and effective ways to fight wildfires, especially in remote areas that are hard to reach. As part of the contract, we will deliver six Mi-171 helicopters with high-altitude engines to China. Now the customer has received the first batch of two machines, the remaining helicopters will be transferred next year," said Alexey Kozlov, Managing director of the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant.
The national type certificate for the Mi-171 helicopter with VK-2500-03 engines was issued by the aviation authorities of China in 2019 based on the results of demonstration flights in the city of Lijiang. The leadership of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the Civil Aviation Administration of the People's Republic of China highly appreciated the helicopter's transport capabilities for transporting goods, extinguishing fires in the highlands.
VK-2500-03 gives helicopters fundamentally new opportunities when operating in high-altitude areas and areas with a hot climate. VK-2500-03 engines on Mi-171 helicopters provide more power in emergency flight mode, which, in turn, increases flight safety with one engine running, the press service of Russian Helicopters JSC reports.
