MOSKOVSKY VERTOLETNY ZAVOD IMIENI M L MILYA AOOT (Moscow Helicopter Plant named for M L Mil JSC)
MIL Mi-9
NATO reporting name: Hip-G
Designation Mi-9 applies to command relay platform variant of Mi-8 with Ivolga (oriole) equipment but not used as airborne relay platform; R-111 relay antenna folds upward under fuselage on ground; rearward-inclined `hockey stick' antennas of R-405MPB datalink project from rear of cabin and from undersurface of tailboom, aft of Doppler radar box; rearward-inclined short whip antenna above forward end of tailboom; two long plate aerials of R-826 HF radio on fuselage undersurface; R-802 VYa UHF mast antenna under forward fuselage. Operating concept envisages aircraft flying to selected location; landing, shutting down and being linked to two masts - one for R-111 (deployed 26 m; 85 ft from helicopter), one for R-405M (at 29.5 m; 97 ft). Mission crew of six, plus pilots and flight engineer. In service with armed forces of Belarus (two), Czech Republic (one), Hungary (one), Kazakhstan, Russia (30), Ukraine (18). Eight in former East Germany now withdrawn. (See also Mil Mi-19.)
Hungarian Air Force Mi-9 used as airborne command post (Pй ter Zsille) (1998)
Programme
Development began May 1960, to replace piston-engined Mi-4; first prototype, with single AI-24V turboshaft and four-blade main rotor, flew June 1961, given NATO reporting name `Hip-A'; second prototype (`Hip-B'), with two production standard TV2-117 engines and five-blade main rotor, flew August 1962; more than 10,000 Mi-8s, Mi-17s and Mi-171s (which see) marketed and delivered from Kazan (Mi-8, Mi-17, Mi-172) and Ulan-Ude (Mi-8T, Mi-171) plants (see separate entries) for civil and military use, including 2,800 exported; many Mi-8s converted to Mi-17 standard.
Versions
Mi-8APS: Military VIP transport with enhanced communications fit and more luxurious interior; used as Russian Presidential aircraft.
Mi-8AT: Civil transport version produced by Ulan-Ude; TV2-117AG turboshafts; optional 8A-813 weather radar, DISS-32-90 Doppler radar and A-723 long-range radio navigation.
Mi-8ATS: Agricultural helicopter with spray hoppers on each side, and with `wing'-type spraybars.
Mi-8AV: Dedicated minelayer, despatching mines down steep, ladder-like slide projecting from gap between lower corners of clamshell doors.
Mi-8BT: Equipped for minesweeping, towing sled from winch in cabin. Clamshell doors removed for missions.
Mi-8K: Reconnaissance and artillery fire correction version; large window for camera in rear clamshell doors.
Mi-8MT: Flying crane version with operator's glazed gondola in place of rear clamshell doors. SSSR-254444 may have been the prototype. Designation re-used for Mi-17 (which see).
Mi-8P (`Hip-C'): Civil passenger helicopter; standard seating for 28 to 32 persons in main cabin with large square windows. Detailed description refers to this version, except where indicated.
Mi-8PD (punkt dowodzenia): Polish airborne command post version.
Mi-8PPA (`Hip-K'): Active communications jammer; rectangular container and array of six cruciform dipole antennae each side of cabin; no Doppler box under tailboom; heat exchangers under front fuselage; some uprated to Mi-17 standard, with port-side tail rotor. See also Mi-17 `Hip-K derivative'.
Mi-8PS (`Hip-C'): Military VIP transport; basically as civil Mi-8 Salon.
Mi-8R: Reconnaissance version.
Mi-8S (Salon) (`Hip-C'): Original de luxe version of standard Mi-8; normally 11 passengers, on eight-place inward-facing couch on port side, two chairs and swivelling seat on starboard side, with table; square windows; air-to-ground radiotelephone and removable ventilation fans; compartment for attendant, with buffet and crew wardrobe forward of cabin; toilet (port) and passenger wardrobe (starboard) to each side of cabin rear entrance; alternative nine-passenger configuration; maximum T-O weight 10,400 kg (22,928 lb); range 205 n miles (380 km; 236 miles) with 30 minutes fuel reserve.
Mi-8SKA: Believed similar to Mi-8T(K).
Mi-8SMV (`Hip-J'): ECM version with R-949 jamming system; additional small boxes each side of fuselage, fore and aft of main landing gear legs. Also four containers with 32 droppable short-range jammers. Range 54 n miles (100 km; 62 miles).
Mi-8T (`Hip-C'): Civil utility transport version, with TV2-117A turboshafts and circular cabin windows, built by Ulan-Ude plant. Alternative payloads include internal or external freight; 24 passengers on removable folding seats; 26 passengers on conventional seats; 12 stretcher patients or executive layout similar to Mi-8S.
Mi-8T (`Hip-C'): Also available as standard assault transport of Russian Federation and Associated States (RFAS) army support forces; carrying 24 fully armed troops. Able to dispense 200 anti-personnel or anti-tank mines in flight, by conveyor belt through rear doors.
Mi-8TB (`Hip-E'): Development of `Hip-C'; KV-4 flexibly mounted 12.7 mm machine gun, with 700 rounds, in nose; triple stores rack each side, to carry total 192 S-5 rockets in six UV-32-57 packs, plus four 9M17P Scorpion (AT-2 `Swatter') anti-tank missiles (semi-automatic command to line of sight) on rails above racks; about 250 in RFAS ground forces; some uprated to Mi-17 standard as Mi-8MTV, with port-side tail rotor.
Mi-8TBK (`Hip-F'): Export `Hip-E'; missiles changed to six 9M14 Malyutka (NATO AT-3 `Saggers'; manual command to line of sight).
Mi-8TG: Modified TV2-117TG engines permit operation on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Kerosene. LPG contained in large tanks, on each side of cabin, under low pressure. Engines switch to Kerosene for take-off and landing. Reduced harmful exhaust emissions in flight offer anti-pollution benefits. Modification to operate on LPG requires no special equipment and can be effected on in-service Mi-8s at normal maintenance centre. Weights unchanged. Large external tanks, each side of cabin, reduce payload by 100 to 150 kg (220 to 330 lb) over comparable ranges, with little effect on performance. First flight on LPG made 1987.
Mi-8T(K): Dedicated photo-reconnaissance platform with AFA-42/100 or AFA-A87P starboard oblique camera in forward part of the cabin, possibly with some onboard processing capability. May be used as fire correction platform.
Mi-8TM : Upgraded civil transport version of Mi-8T; weather radar and rotor head integrity system.
Mi-8TP : Military executive version; upgraded communications include R-832 radio with two-blade antennae under front fuselage and tailboom and R-111 with rod antenna lowered under cabin.
Mi-8TS (tropichesky sukhoi: tropical): Export version for hot and dusty climates.
Mi-8TV (vooruzhonnyi armed) (`Hip-C'): As Mi-8T, but with added twin-rack each side, to carry total of 64 57 mm S-5 rockets in four UV-16-57 packs, or bombs, for army assault forces.
Mi-8TZ: Adapted to deliver fuel to front-line areas.
Mi-8 VIP: Current de luxe version by Kazan; three crew and seven to nine passengers; main rotor has vibration damper; hinged airstair door; interior divided into vestibule, passenger cabin crew department, cloakroom and toilet; optional water heater, TV and GPS. Maximum take-off weight 12,000 kg (26,455 lb).
Mi-8VZPU (vozduzhnyi zapastnoi punkt upravlenya: airborne reserve command post) (`Hip-D'): As `Hip-C' but rectangular-section canisters on outer stores racks; two large dorsal antennae above forward part of tailboom; no armament.
Mi8AMT, Mi-8MT and Mi-8MTV are versions of the Mi-17 (which see), with more powerful turboshafts and port-side tail rotor.
All helicopters of Mi-8/Mi-17 series in Russian military service are known as Mi-8s of various subtypes, regardless of engines fitted.
Mi-9 (`Hip-G'): Airborne command post variant of Mi-8; `hockey stick' antennae projecting from rear of cabin and from undersurface of tailboom, aft of Doppler radar box; rearward inclined short whip antenna above forward end of tailboom; strakes on fuselage undersurface. Crew of three to six.
Long-range modification: AEFT (Auxilliary External Fuel Tanks) by Aeroton adds another 1,900 litres (502 US gallons; 418 Imp gallons) in two internal tanks, plus same quantity in four external tanks on the stores pylons of the Mi-8T and Mi-8AT. Operational range with all six tanks is 593 n miles (1,100 km; 683 miles); ferry range 863 n miles (1,600 km; 994 miles).
Customers
RFAS ground forces (estimated 2,400 Mi-8/17s); RFAS air forces; at least 40 other air forces; civil operators worldwide.
Design Features
Conventional pod and boom configuration; five-blade main rotor, inclined forward 4є 30' from vertical; interchangeable blades of basic NACA 230 section, solidity 0.0777; spar failure warning system; drag and flapping hinges a few inches apart; blades carried on machined spider; pendulum vibration damper; three-blade starboard tail rotor; transmission comprises VR-8 two-stage planetary main reduction gearbox giving main rotor shaft/engine rpm ratio of 0.016:1, intermediate and tail rotor gearboxes, main rotor brake, and drives off main gearbox for tail rotor, fan, AC generator, hydraulic pumps and tachometer generators; tail rotor pylon forms small vertical stabiliser; horizontal stabiliser near end of tailboom; clamshell rear-loading freight doors.
Flying Controls
Mechanical system, with irreversible hydraulic boosters; main rotor collective pitch control linked to throttles.
Structure
All-metal; main rotor blades each have extruded light-alloy spar carrying root fitting, 21 honeycomb-filled trailing-edge pockets and blade tip; balance tab on each blade; each tail rotor blade made of spar and honeycomb-filled trailing-edge; semi-monocoque fuselage.
Landing Gear
Non-retractable tricycle type; steerable twin-wheel nose unit, locked in flight; single wheel on each main unit; oleo-pneumatic (gas) shock-absorbers. Mainwheel tyres 865 Ч 280 mm; nosewheel tyres 595 Ч 185 mm. Pneumatic brakes on mainwheels; pneumatic system can also recharge tyres in the field, using air stored in main landing gear struts. Optional mainwheel fairings.
Power Plant
Two 1,250 kW (1,677 shp) Klimov TV2-117A turboshafts (1,434 kW; 1,923 shp TV3-117MTs in Mi-8MT). Main rotor speed governed automatically, with manual override. Single flexible internal fuel tank, capacity 445 litres (117.5 US gallons; 98 Imp gallons); two external tanks, each side of cabin, capacity 745 litres (197 US gallons; 164 Imp gallons) in port tank, 680 litres (179.5 US gallons; 149.5 Imp gallons) in starboard tank; total standard fuel capacity 1,870 litres (494 US gallons; 411.5 Imp gallons). Provision for one or two ferry tanks in cabin, raising maximum total capacity to 3,700 litres (977 US gallons; 814 Imp gallons). Fairing over starboard external tank houses optional cabin air conditioning equipment at front. Engine cowling side panels form maintenance platforms when open, with access via hatch on flight deck. Total oil capacity 60 kg (132 lb).
Accommodation
Two pilots side by side on flight deck, with provision for flight engineer's station. Military versions can be fitted with external flight deck armour. Windscreen de-icing standard. Basic passenger version furnished with 24 to 26 four-abreast track-mounted tip-up seats at pitch of 72 to 75 cm (28 to 29.5 in), with centre aisle 32 cm (12.5 in) wide; removable bar, wardrobe and baggage compartment. Seats and bulkheads of basic version quickly removable for cargo carrying. Mi-8T and standard military versions have cargo tiedown rings in floor, winch of 150 kg (330 lb) capacity and pulley block system to facilitate loading of heavy freight, an external cargo sling system (capacity 3,000 kg; 6,614 lb), and 24 tip-up seats along sidewalls of cabin. All versions can be converted for air ambulance duties, with accommodation for 12 stretchers and tip-up seat for medical attendant. Large windows on each side of flight deck slide rearward. Sliding, jettisonable main passenger door at front of cabin on port side; electrically operated rescue hoist (capacity 150 kg; 330 lb) can be installed at this doorway. Rear of cabin made up of clamshell freight-loading doors, which are smaller on commercial versions, with downward-hinged passenger airstair door centrally at rear. Hook-on ramps used for vehicle loading.
Systems
Standard heating system can be replaced by full air conditioning system; heating of main cabin cut out when carrying refrigerated cargoes. Two independent hydraulic systems, each with own pump; operating pressure 44 to 64 bars (640 to 925 lb/sq in). DC electrical supply from two 27 V 18 kW starter/generators and six 28 Ah storage batteries; AC supply for automatically controlled electrothermal de-icing system and some radio equipment supplied by 208/115/36/7.5 V 400 Hz generator, with 36 V three-phase standby system. Engine air intake de-icing standard. Provision for oxygen system for crew and, in ambulance version, for patients. Freon fire extinguishing system in power plant bays and service fuel tank compartments, actuated automatically or manually. Two portable fire extinguishers in cabin.
Avionics
Comms: R-842 HF transceiver, frequency range 2 to 8 MHz and range up to 540 n miles (1,000 km; 620 miles); R-860 VHF transceiver on 118 to 135.9 MHz effective up to 54 n miles (100 km; 62 miles), intercom, radiotelephone.
Flight: Four-axis autopilot to give yaw, roll and pitch stabilisation under any flight conditions, stabilisation of altitude in level flight or hover, and stabilisation of preset flying speed; Doppler radar box under tailboom.
Instrumentation: For all-weather flying by day and night: two gyro horizons, two airspeed indicators, two main rotor speed indicators, turn indicator, two altimeters, two rate of climb indicators, magnetic compass, astrocompass for Polar flying; ARK-9 automatic radio compass, RV-3 radio altimeter with `dangerous height' warning.
Self-defence (optional): Infra-red jammer (`Hot Brick') above forward end of tailboom; three ASO-2V flare dispensers above rear cabin window on each side.
Armament
See individual model descriptions of military versions.
Dimensions, external
Main rotor diameter
21.29 m (69 ft 10ј in)
Tail rotor diameter
3.91 m (12 ft 9{7/8}in)
Distance between rotor centres
12.65 m (41 ft 6 in)
Length: overall, rotors turning
25.24 m (82 ft 9Ѕ in)
fuselage, excl tail rotor
18.17 m (59 ft 7{3/8}in)
Width of fuselage
2.50 m (8 ft 2Ѕ in)
Height overall
5.65 m (18 ft 6Ѕ in)
Height to top of rotor head
4.38 m (14 ft 4Ѕ in)
Wheel track
4.80 m (15 ft 9 in)
Wheelbase
4.26 m (13 ft 11Ѕ in)
Fwd passenger door:
Height
1.41 m (4 ft 7ј in)
Width
0.82 m (2 ft 8ј in)
Rear passenger door:
Height
1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Width
0.84 m (2 ft 9 in)
Rear cargo door:
Height
1.82 m (5 ft 11Ѕ in)
Width
2.34 m (7 ft 8ј in)
Dimensions, internal
Passenger cabin:
Length
6.36 m (20 ft 10ј in)
Width
2.34 m (7 ft 8ј in)
Height
1.80 m (5 ft 10Ѕ in)
Cargo hold (freighter):
Length at floor
5.34 m (17 ft 6ј in)
Width
2.34 m (7 ft 8ј in)
Height
1.80 m (5 ft 10Ѕ in)
Volume
23.0 m3 (812 cu ft)
Areas
Main rotor disc
356.0 m2 (3,832 sq ft)
Tail rotor disc
12.01 m2 (129.2 sq ft)
Weights and Loadings
Weight empty:
civil passenger version
6,799 kg (14,990 lb)
civil cargo version
6,624 kg (14,603 lb)
civil Mi-8T
7,149 kg (15,760 lb)
military versions (typical)
7,260 kg (16,007 lb)
Max payload:
internal
4,000 kg (8,820 lb)
external
3,000 kg (6,614 lb)
Fuel:
standard tanks
1,450 kg (3,197 lb)
civil Mi-8T
2,027 kg (4,469 lb)
with two auxiliary tanks
2,870 kg (6,327 lb)
civil Mi-8T
3,447 kg (7,599 lb)
Normal T-O weight
11,100 kg (24,470 lb)
T-O weight: with 28 passengers, each with 15 kg (33 lb) of baggage
11,570 kg (25,508 lb)
with 2,500 kg (5,510 lb) of slung cargo
11,428 kg (25,195 lb)
Max T-O weight for VTO
12,000 kg (26,455 lb)
Max disc loading
33.7 kg/m2 (6.90 lb/sq ft)
Performance
(civil Mi-8T)
Max level speed at 1,000 m (3,280 ft):
normal AUW
140 kt (260 km/h; 161 mph)
Max level speed at S/L:
normal AUW
135 kt (250 km/h; 155 mph)
max AUW
124 kt (230 km/h; 142 mph)
with 2,500 kg (5,510 lb) of slung cargo
97 kt (180 km/h; 112 mph)
Max cruising speed:
normal AUW
121 kt (225 km/h; 140 mph)
max AUW
113 kt (210 km/h; 130 mph)
Service ceiling:
normal AUW
4,500 m (14,765 ft)
max AUW
4,000 m (13,125 ft)
Hovering ceiling at normal AUW:
IGE
1,800 m (5,905 ft)
OGE
850 m (2,785 ft)
Ranges: cargo version at 1,000 m (3,280 ft), with standard fuel, 5% reserves
248-259 n miles (460-480 km; 286-298 miles)
with 24 passengers at 1,000 m (3,280 ft), with 20 min fuel reserves
229 n miles (425 km; 264 miles)
cargo version, with auxiliary fuel, 5% reserves
518 n miles (960 km; 596 miles)
UPDATED
Mi-8TG equipped with large LPG fuel tanks on each side of the cabin (Paul Jackson)
(1998)
FPT Industries' emergency inflation system installed on an Mi-8 helicopter operating in Southeast Asia
`Hip-C' military version of Mil Mi-8 twin-turbine helicopter, with additional side view (bottom) of commercial version (Jane's/Dennis Punnett)
A 26-passenger Mi-8P operated on inter-island services in Malta (Gьnter Endres)
