MI-8MSB - Medium Class Transport Helicopter

State testings of MI-8T helicopter were completed in1964.bout 4500 MI-8 helicopters (the versions powered by TV2-117 engines) weremanufactured up to year 1996 in Kazan plants, in Ulan-Ude this figure went to 3700helicopters. The total output of these helicopters produced is the biggest in the world(together with MI-8МТ and MI-17, more than 11000 helicopters were produced). About 2800 from them were exported to more than 40 countries of the world. Included hereare: Algeria, Angola, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Hungary, Viet Nam, Egypt,India, Iraq, Canada, China, Pakistan, USA, Poland, Rumania, Cuba, Japan, etc.Approximately 40 modifications of MI-8 helicopters were produced.

Analysis of statistical data related to operation of the fleet of helicopters as toyear 2009 shows that at the present time the fleet of MI-8T helicopters powered byTV2-117 engines is almost 5 times larger than the fleet of more updated MI-8MTVhelicopters powered by TV3-117 engines.Actually, annual operating time of MI-8T helicopters is also 5 times larger. At thesame time, operating time per 1 incident for MI-8T helicopter is larger by 1 56 timesthan for MI-8MTV helicopter, and prevailing causes of failures belong to TV2-117engine.Taking into consideration high operational reliability of MI-8T helicopter andsignificantly lower reliability of TV2-117 engine, and remembering also that theproduction of this engine is discontinued, while the life of the MI-8T airframe issufficient (at the present time) it does make sense to consider replacement of TV2-117engine with TV3-117VMA-SBM1V, series 4Е engine.

Distribution of “technical” incidents amongsystems of MI-8T helicopter

• Designing, manufacture and certification of TV3-117VMA-SBM1V, series 4Е engine.
• Works related to replacement of engine in helicopter.
• Works related to correction of helicopter specifications to bring them in compliance with IСАО requirements
• Certification of upgraded helicopter.
• Certification of Motor Sich JSC as a designer of helicopters.