Design bureaus Mil and Kamov will be merged into the National Centre for Helicopter Engineering

The board of directors of Russian Helicopters Holding (part of Rostec State Corporation) has decided to merge JSC Mil MVZ and Kamov, named after M. Mil and N.I. Kamova and create the National Helicopter Centre. " The NCV will combine the potential of two helicopter schools for a more efficient and high-quality solution to the problems of designing and modernizing helicopter equipment.

The board of directors of Russian Helicopters Holding (part of Rostec State Corporation) has decided to merge JSC Mil MVZ and Kamov and create on their basis the National Helicopter Center named after M. Mil and N.I. Kamova. " The NCV will combine the potential of two helicopter schools for a more efficient and high-quality solution to the problems of designing and modernizing helicopter equipment.

The association is aimed at the development of the two experimental design schools - OKB Mil and OKB Kamov. While their brands will be preserved as independent, the teams of both design bureaus will join the NCV. The creation of the National Center for Helicopter Engineering will also help remove administrative, legal, and economic barriers that currently hinder the collaboration of two design teams.

Work in a single company format will optimize the work of a number of security and administrative units. Such an approach will create conditions for the unhindered exchange of technical solutions and achievements, the efficient distribution of load between departments and the unification of technical standards. Among the expected effects are also a reduction in labour costs, an increase in managerial and production efficiency, an increase in the quality of design and a reduction in the timing of the transfer of helicopters to mass production.

"According to our estimates, the distribution of tasks between two design bureaus, as well as serial and aircraft holding factories of the holding will release a total of about 15-20% of the annual capacity of two design bureaus, which can be used to create a technical reserve and develop new equipment, for science and technology policy and the development of helicopters." said the Deputy General Director helicopters of Russia, Michael Korotkevitch, who presented a roadmap combining design offices at a meeting of the board. "Earlier there was substantial competition between companies, developing in parallel the same type of aircraft. It is our common task to not compete with each other. Combining the two schools will contribute to this goal."

The economic effect of combining design bureaus is also planned to be achieved by optimizing the use of common ground infrastructure and reducing the cost of performing similar tests. At the same time, part of the released funds will be aimed at increasing the scientific and technical potential and attracting new design personnel.

The roadmap for the creation of the National Helicopter Center based on two design bureaus was approved at a meeting of the board of directors of Russian Helicopters. The first stage, involving the merger of two design bureaus into a single company, is planned to be completed by mid-2020. Further integration processes related to the optimization of the activities of two design bureaus in the format of one company will last until 2022.