The Mil Mi-8 (Russian: Ми-8, NATO reporting name: Hip) is a medium twin-turbine helicopter, originally designed by the Soviet Union, and now produced by Russia. In addition to its most common role as a transport helicopter, the Mi-8 is also used as an airborne command post, armed gunship, and reconnaissance platform. Along with the related, more powerful Mil Mi-17, the Mi-8 is among the world's most-produced helicopters, used by over 50 countries. As of 2015, it is the third most common operational military aircraft in the world.
Mikhail Mil originally approached the Soviet government with a proposal to design an all new two-engined turbine helicopter after the success of the Mil Mi-4 and the emergence and effectiveness of turbines used in the Mil Mi-6; but the military argued against a new helicopter, as they were content with the current Mil Mi-4. To counter this, Mikhail Mil proposed that the new helicopter was more of an update to new turbine engines rather than an entirely new helicopter; this persuaded the council of ministers to proceed with production. Due to the position of the engine, this enabled Mikhail Mil to justify redesigning the entire front half of the aircraft around the single engine (designed by Alexander Ivchenko, originally for fixed wing aircraft as all other soviet turbines had been up to that point). The prototype, which was named V-8, was designed in 1958 and based on the Mil Mi-4 with a larger cabin.Powered by an AI-24 2,010 kW (2,700 shp) Soloviev turboshaft engine,[5] the single engined V-8 prototype had its maiden flight in June 1961 and was first shown on Soviet Aviation Day parade (Tushino Air Parade) in July 1961. During an official visit to the United States in September 1959, Nikita Khrushchev took a flight in the S-58 presidential helicopter for the first time and was reportedly extremely impressed. On Khrushchev's return, he ordered the creation of a similar helicopter, which was to be ready for the return visit by the American president, to save face. A luxury version of the Mi-4 was quickly created and Khrushchev took an inspection flight, during which Mikhail Mil proposed that his helicopter in development was more suitable. However, it would be necessary to have a second engine for reliability. This gave Mikhail Mil the power under the orders of Khrushchev to build the original two-engined helicopter, whichfor the first time in Soviet history would need purpose-built turbine engines, rather than those adapted from fixed wing aircraft (as in the Mil Mi-6 and the first prototype V-8) and an entirely new main rotor gear box that would be designed in-house for the first time. In May 1960, the order was given for Mikhail Mil to create his twin engine helicopter. The Sergei Isotov Design Bureau accepted the task of creating the engines. The second prototype (still equipped with the one turbine engine as the Isotov engines were still under development) flew in September 1961.
General characteristics:
- Crew: 3 (pilot, copilot, flight engineer)
- Capacity: ** 24 passengers or 12 stretchers and seat for 1 medical attendant or 3,000 kg (6,600 lb) on internal/external hardpoints
- Length: 18.17 m (59 ft 7 in)
- Rotor diameter: 21.29 m (69 ft 10 in)
- Height: 5.65 m (18 ft 6 in)
- Disc area: 356 m² (3,832 ft²)
- Empty weight: 7,260 kg (16,007 lb)
- Loaded weight: 11,100 kg (24,470 lb)
- Max. takeoff weight: 12,000 kg (26,455 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Klimov TV3-117Mt turboshafts, 1,454 kW (1,950 shp) each
- Fuel max total capacity: 3,700 l (977 US gal)
Performance:
- Maximum speed: 260 km/h (140 kt)
- Range: 450 km (280 mi)
- Ferry range: 960 km (596 mi)
- Service ceiling: 4,500 m (14,765 ft)