Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, JSC of Russian Helicopters holding (a member of Russian sate-run corporation Rostec) have sent to Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant the fifth prototype (OP-5) of Mi-171A2 helicopter in order to bring it to the airworthy condition and further participation in successive stage of the Program of certification trials.

Two flying prototypes are already involved in certification trials. The first got off the ground in November, 2014, the second one – in October, 2015. At the same time the tests were carried out in flying laboratory, designed on the base of serial Mi-8/17. The third and fourth prototypes of Mi-171A2 helicopter didn't undergo flying tests, so long as they are test bed patterns.

Specialists of Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant will install on the fifth prototype of Mi-171A2 helicopter main and tail rotors blades of composite materials, as well as will equip the salon and crew compartment. After that in June-July of 2016 the successive stage of certification trials will start, that will help to end the whole package of the projected certification. As a plan of the Russian Helicopters holding is to certify medium-lifter multipurpose Mi-171A2 helicopter in the first quarter of 2017 year.

Mi-171A2 is an up-to-date member of the family of helicopters of Mi-8/171 type, embodied the best characteristics of these world-famous machines. The helicopter is equipped with an integrated digital flight and navigation suite of KBO-17 on-board equipment (Glass cockpit), which let the machine to be operated without flight engineer aboard, thereby reducing the number of crew member to two persons.

Deep modernization of the relatively series-produced Mi-8/17 was subjected to the rotor system. The Mi-171A2 obtained main and X-shaped tail rotors made of composite materials, as well as improved swash plate and main rotor system hub. Innovations improved the dirigibility of the helicopter, reduce the total weight of the rotor system and increase the thrust of the main rotor for 700 kilograms. In addition, increased performance of cruising and maximum airspeed by 20% and increased flight range.

The modernized avionics complex has extended the range of application of the helicopter. The Мi-171А2 helicopter can effectively operate in conditions of high mountain regions, high temperature and humidity. The flight and navigation equipment allows effectively operate the helicopter day and night, in simple and bad weather conditions as well as over water surface.

The new helicopter offers wide opportunities for business. Nowadays the Russian oil and gas sector companies show interests to MI-171A2 because of its performance allows it to work in the offshore shelf and modernization of the main systems gives to the helicopter the highest safety level and comfort.

The МI-171А2 helicopter will be produced in transport, passenger, fire-fighting, search and rescue, medical and VIP versions. The new model will find its application in traditional for Russian helicopter construction industry markets such as: countries of CIS, Asian-Pacific region, Africa and Latin America.

The JSC Russian Helicopters (join in “Rostec” State Corporation) is one of the global leaders in the helicopter construction industry, the only developer and manufacturer of helicopters in Russia. The holding was established in 2007. The main office is located in Moscow. The holding consists of five helicopter plants, two design bureaus and also component parts production and service enterprises, aircraft repair plants and service company that provides post-sale support in Russia and beyond the borders of the country.

The Ulan-Ude aviation plant is one of the manufacturers of the “Russian Helicopters” holding. For 77 years of its existence the plant has produced more than 10000 airplanes and helicopters. Now the plant specializes in manufacturing of multifunctional helicopters - МI-171Е, military-transport - MI-171Sh, certified – МI-171 and МI-171А1. The plant has produced and delivered on complete manufacturing cycle more than 1000 helicopters MI-171 to more than 40 countries of the world.