Mi-26T transports Mi-26 fuselage
The Russian Helicopters-produced Mi-26T helicopter has transported the 14-tonne fuselage of a Mi-26 military transport helicopter from Yoshkar-Ola to Rostov-on-Don, the company said on 13 May.
According to the company, the Mi-26T is the only civilian helicopter capable of carrying a cargo of the size and weight of the Mi-26 fuselage, which was transported for repair work by Rostvertol-Avia as ordered by Rostov-Mil.
Valery Chumakov, crew commander, Rostvertol-Avia Airlines, said: 'The operation to transport the fuselage took nine days.
'The route passed through Cheboksary, Ulyanovsk, Saransk, Penza, Saratov, Kamyshin, Volgograd, and Volgodonsk. There were various weather conditions along the route – from winter to summer – but that did not cause any difficulties. I have been working on Mi-26Ts for over 15 years and can say with confidence that this helicopter is ideally suited to operations like this.'
Mi-26 helicopters are used to transport paratroopers, deliver fuel and for firefighting. Preparatory work is currently underway at Rostvertol for the series production of the upgraded Mi-26T2 helicopter with modernised avionics and a reduced crew requirement.
The Mi-26T is based on the military transport Mi-26 helicopter, but with additional radio communications, avionics, and navigation systems, and an automatic hover system. It can lift up to 20 tonnes of cargo.
More from Defence Helicopter
-
![Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine]()
Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine
Germany has committed to sending Ukraine six of its 21 retiring WS-61 Westland Sea King multirole, amphibious helicopters.
-
![Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook]()
Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook
Boeing has clinched a major contract modification to further its backing of the US Special Operations Command’s MH-47G Chinook aircraft modernisation effort.
-
![Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut]()
Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut
Two KAI helicopters, the KUH-1E utility helicopter and the Light Attack Helicopter (LAH), have taken centre stage at the Dubai Airshow 2023.
-
![Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter]()
Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter
The Italian Navy now boasts a fleet of 56 NH90 helicopters comprising 46 SH-90As and 10 MH-90As.
-
![Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters]()
Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
The Argentinian Air Force (FAA) and the Argentinian Naval Aviation Command (COAN) are looking for options to upgrade their helicopter fleets.
-
![DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest]()
DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest
Lockheed Martin promises a boost to the British job market and export opportunities, while strengthening ties with Poland and positioning the UK for a future in rotorcraft technology in the event of a New Medium Helicopter competition triumph.
