New engine based on PD-8 will give the legendary Russian Mi-26 a second life

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Russian rescuers from the Southern Aviation Rescue Center received the first modernized civilian version of the legendary Cow. The Soviet-Russian helicopter Mi-26 was developed back in the 70s of the last century for the needs of the army. Meanwhile, the rotorcraft remains in demand to this day. At the same time, it is used not only in the troops.

The main feature of the Mi-26 is its carrying capacity. In fact, this is the world's largest helicopter, which is capable of lifting and transporting cargo with a record weight of up to 20 tons. In particular, in 2009, our "Cow" evacuated an American Chinook helicopter that crashed into one of the gorges in Afghanistan. The 15-ton car could not be evacuated by the same helicopter, in connection with which the US administration turned to Russia for help. The Mi-26 did an excellent job, confirming the title of the world's most cargo-lifting helicopter.



Today, the Russian Emergencies Ministry received a modernized civilian version of the Mi-26T2. The rotorcraft is equipped with modern avionics to reduce the number of crew members from five to three. In addition, the modernized helicopter received the latest electronic equipment, which greatly facilitated its piloting.

As a result, we can confidently say that there is currently no alternative to the Russian "Cow" in the world. Meanwhile, oddly enough, the helicopter's strongest point has become its main weakness.

We are talking about the D-136 engine with a capacity of 10 thousand liters. with., thanks to which the rotorcraft is capable of transporting twenty-ton loads over a distance of up to 475 km. The thing is that the unit was produced at the Ukrainian plant "Motor Sich". As a result of well-known events, the supply of new engines to Russia ceased in 2014.

However, the aforementioned problem is already being solved by domestic engineers who are developing a new power plant for the Mi-26.

It is reported that the gas generator from the promising PD-8 will become the basis of the new engine. The latter, by the way, this year will be tested for the first time as part of the updated Sukhoi Superjet-100 aircraft.

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    1. 0
      13 February 2023 18: 29
      NWO - partly war, partly business, partly betrayal ... Well, is it hard to denazify Motor Sich ... How many problems with engines we would have already fallen ...
    2. 0
      14 February 2023 11: 45
      While there is no engine for the helicopter, it is premature to talk about the second life of the MI-26.
      It is much more realistic to return Zaporozhye to Russia, and with it all Zaporozhye engines.
      1. -1
        14 February 2023 14: 19
        Of course, we will definitely return Zaporizhia to our composition, but it’s not at all a fact that the Ukronazis will leave the Motor Sich plant safe and sound, they can take out equipment and special documentation, and destroy the production buildings.
        1. -2
          14 February 2023 20: 40
          "Motor Sich" was bought by the Chinese, it would be wrong for Russia to take it for itself on any side
          1. +3
            14 February 2023 22: 19
            The deal with the Chinese did not go to the end, the Americans intervened at the very last moment and forbade the Kiev puppets to transfer Motor Sich to the Chinese, but in general, the most correct solution would be to create their own more modern and economical engine based on the gas generator of the PD - 8 engine, hence the most important conclusion - stop stepping on the old rake, you need to create and produce your own, and only at home, in Russia.