Euromil finally signs the contract for the building of Mi-38 demonstrator

Published: 8/23/1999

Euromil, the Russian consortium comprising of Mil, Kazan Helicopter and Eurocopter have signed a contract to produce a feasibility demonstrator for the Mi-38 heavy twin in the 15 ton class powered by the Pratt & Whitney PWC 127 engine. Originally conceived in 1994, but recently becalmed by Russia's financial and economic problems. Eurocopter has already funded much of the initial project start up costs, although the programme has been long undermined by a lack of investment, illustrated by the Russian Ministry of Economics providing Mil with only 9 m rubles in 1998 for its development, less than half of the requested funds (www.concise.org, April 8th 1999). For the participants however, the new demonstrator is expected to breath new life into the project. The work will be divided between the three partners with: Mil- handling the design, component testing and flight-testing Kazan- responsible for the manufacture of the fuselage and blades and final assembly Eurocopter- in charge of cockpit design and avionic and fitting for various variants Additionally, the main drive system will be produced by Krasni-Okiabr and the main rotor by Stupino Moscow Plant.The new helicopter will also use much of the rotor and blade technology from the development of Mil's attack helicopter the Mi-28, incorporating its main rotor and transmission. The Kazan helicopter plant (KVZ) is reported to have invested over $100m of the revenues from its successful exports of its Mi-17, in the development of the Mi-38 and according to the General Director of Kazan Alexander Laventyev, the first fuselage has already been shipped for structural load testing. The helicopter's maiden flight using the third fuselage will take place at the end of 2000, and the helicopter will be serially produced by 2003 according to Vladimir Yablochkov, Chief Designer at Mil, although Eurocopter talk of a two year 'economic and engineering studies' to pave the way for joint production. The reported costs of the complete programme are put at $400-500m, although the individual contributions are not entirely clear, with Eurocopter suggesting a three way split, while other reports say KVZ will provide 25% with the Europeans providing 30% of the program's cost. The projected price of the helicopter will be around $14-18m, and considerably less for the domestic market where the partners see considerable market potential as a replacement for the Mi-8/Mi-17s with a potential market of 270 aircraft by 2015.

Article ID: 768