The aim of modernising the Mil-171A3 helicopter is to create a certified offshore helicopter compliant with international IOGP standards and meeting the demands of energy companies (oil and gas) in the field of overwater air transport, including personnel transportation, cargo and search and rescue (SAR) operations. This is stated in the tender documents for the execution of research and development (R&D) work on the helicopter’s modernisation, announced by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation. The contract value to be signed with the contractor is ₽802 million (approx. $8,7 million USD).
The offshore Mil-171A3 helicopter is capable of performing Category “A” flights, instrument flights, transporting up to 4 tonnes of cargo and carrying up to 24 passengers at any time of day or night, over land and sea. The helicopter is certified to modern civil airworthiness regulations, which ensures improved performance characteristics comparable to foreign counterparts. For the further development of the Mil-171A3 and increasing the assigned service life of the fuselage, a series of works are planned, key among which will be bench tests for the fuselage’s fatigue strength. In addition, work is planned to expand the helicopter’s operational capabilities in icing conditions.
As a result of the modernisation, carried out as a result of the findings, the helicopter’s operational capabilities in icing conditions will be expanded. Fuselage life tests will allow an increase in the design service life to 3,000 hours, and fuel tank tests will establish a service life of 1,000 hours. To achieve this, it is necessary to develop and manufacture a stand for conducting fuselage fatigue tests, prepare and conduct these tests, and perform similar work for the container with the auxiliary fuel tank. The outcome of the work will be obtaining approval of the major design change.
The initial data for the R&D include state programmes, Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR-21), aviation regulations “Airworthiness Standards for Transport Category Rotorcraft”, Part 29 (NLH-29), and IOGP Recommendation 590 regarding the equipment of offshore helicopters.
The entire R&D complex is divided into several stages. The first stage involves developing working design documentation (WDD) for the test stand, manufacturing the loading system elements, and modifying the helicopter fuselage. The second stage involves manufacturing the remaining elements of the test stand, its assembly and commissioning, as well as manufacturing a fuel tank and developing programmes for ground and flight tests in icing conditions. In the third stage, bench tests of the fuselage and fuel tank are carried out, work on icing is completed, and Major Change Approval (MCA) is obtained.
The anticipated completion date is from the date of conclusion of the state contract until 1st December 2027. The completion of the entire work package will significantly improve the operational characteristics of the Mil-171A3, increase its competitiveness in the market, and strengthen the position of Russian helicopter manufacturing.
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