Russian Helicopters' Mi-38T helicopter takes to the sky.

Test pilots of the Mil Helicopter Plant of the Russian Helicopters Holding made the first flight on Mi-38T helicopter produced by Kazan enterprise for the Russian Defense Ministry, the holding said. The units and equipment of Mi-38T will be tested for compliance with the technical assignment.

First prototype of the Mi-38T helicopter built for the Ministry of Defense of Russia performing its first flight
(Credit: Irina Erokhina/Business Online/www.business-gazeta.ru)

"The construction of the first Mi-38T prototype is an important event for the holding and the Defense Ministry which will begin operating the helicopter next year. We expect joint flight trials to begin soon to determine the procurement schedule of Mi-38T in the framework of the arms program for 2018-2025," Russian Helicopters CEO Andrey Boginsky said.

"The transport modification of Mi-38T has a major potential to expand its capabilities. It can be used to produce various specialized options, including an Arctic helicopter," Rostec aviation cluster Industrial Director Anatoly Serdyukov said.

"The first supplies of the helicopter to the troops will begin in 2019," Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said. The ministry will consider state support to the supplies.

"Due to the high export potential of Mi-38T and the interest of foreign customers it can be marketed outside the Russian Federation," Manturov said.

The helicopter is highly automated. "The piloting and navigational complex can automatically fly by the assigned route and approach landing, stabilize the spatial position at any flight regime, and automatically hover," the minister said. Mi-38T is a Mi-38 upgrade for transportation and landing missions. It can be re-equipped into a sanitary option and have additional fuel tanks to increase the range.

The helicopter is equipped with new TV7-117V engines, integrated digital piloting-navigational complex with data indication on five LCD displays, and an explosion-resistant protected fuel system. The integrated onboard equipment set IBKO-38 provides full and high-quality information to the crew to promote flight safety. The helicopter salon has sliding seats and sanitary equipment, as well as rollers for cargo transportation.