The former Soviet Union has a history of producing large helicopters capable of lifting heavy loads. The vastness of the country coupled with a large number of inaccessible areas required a reliable form of transportation capable of operating in harsh environments. The MIL Helicopter Corporation responded and has built some of the most capable heavy lift and cargo helicopters in the world.
The predecessor to the MI-26, the MI-6 Hook, had its start in 1954 when the Soviet OKB (Experimental Design Bureau) placed a requirement for a helicopter that was able to carry a payload of 25,000 pounds a distance of 150 miles. The helicopter would be particularly useful for operations in Siberia where harsh conditions prevented ground transport vehicles from being effectively used. The military would also be able to use the helicopter to lift artillery pieces, troops, and other large heavy loads.
When the MI-6 entered production it was powered by two Soloviev D-25V turbo shaft engines rated at 5,550 SHP (shaft horsepower) each. The hook had a huge five bladed rotor system that had a diameter of almost 115 ft. The crew consisted of five people. Two pilots, a navigator, a flight engineer, and a radio operator. The helicopter had two doors on either side of the flight deck that could be jettisoned in an emergency and the windows on the pilots sides were bulged so they could see the rear of the helicopter. The MI-6 also carried an APU (auxiliary power unit), a small turbine engine used to provide power to the ship when the main engines were not in operation. The MI-6 was able to operate day or night in all weather. The MI-6 was also used as a civilian airliner, a fire fighting aircraft, and recovered Soyuz space capsules. It had a range of 370 miles and a max speed of 190 mph.
Out of the success with the MI-6 came the MI-26 Halo. The MI-26 had its maiden flight in 1977 and went into full-scale production in 1981. When looking at the two aircraft you can see the influence that the MI-6 had on the design of the MI-26. Though only slightly heavier than the MI-6, the Halo can lift 44,000 pounds. Its powered by two Lotarev D-136 turbo shaft engines rated at 11,550 SHP each. The MI-26 is the only helicopter to use an eight bladed rotor system. The rotors are made from fiberglass and have titanium tips and have a diameter of 105 ft. To aid in maintenance the aircraft features built in handholds and footholds, which help when operating in austere conditions. The MI-26, like the MI-6, has an APU to provide power when the main engines are not operating. For comparison the load and lift capabilities of the MI-26 are on par with that of the U.S. built C-130 Hercules transport plane.
The aircraft is loaded from the rear thorough clamshell doors and a fold down loading ramp. The Halo has a maximum speed of 180 mph and an operational range of 320 nautical miles without using auxiliary fuel tanks.
The MI-26 is presently used in a number of different roles including medevac, flying crane/construction, fuel tanker, and aerial fire fighting. The MI-26 has a crew of five. Two pilots, a navigator, a flight engineer, and a loadmaster.
The MI-26 continues the tradition of MIL Helicopter of building some of the largest and most powerful helicopters on earth.
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