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Mil Mi-26

From Alfawiki
Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant
IndustryAerospace, Helicopter manufacturing
Founded1947
FounderMikhail Mil
Headquarters
Moscow
,
Russia
ProductsHelicopters (including Mil Mi-26)


Template:Infobox aircraft

The Mil Mi-26 (Russian: Миль Ми-26, known by NATO as Halo) is a heavy transport helicopter developed by the Soviet Union and Russia. Internally referred to as Izdeliye 90, this rotorcraft serves both military and civilian sectors and holds the distinction of being the largest helicopter ever produced in series.[lower-alpha 1]

Design and development

After the Mil Mi-12 (Mil V-12) heavy-lift helicopter prototypes were not fully developed in the early 1970s, a new project was initiated under the codename Izdeliye 90 ("Project 90").[1] This design was later designated as the Mi-26. A key requirement for this aircraft was to have an empty weight less than half of its maximum takeoff weight.[2] The helicopter was designed under the leadership of Marat Tishchenko, a disciple of Mikhail Mil, founder of the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant (OKB-329).[3]

File:Cockpit of Mil Mi-26.jpg
Cockpit view inside a Mil Mi-26

The Mi-26 was developed to succeed earlier heavy-lift helicopters such as the Mi-6 and Mi-12, intended for both military and civilian heavy transport roles. It offers double the cabin volume and payload capacity compared to the Mi-6, which at its time was the largest and fastest production helicopter worldwide. The main operational aim for the Mi-26 was to carry military assets like 13 tonnes (13 long tons; 14 short tons) amphibious armored personnel carriers and mobile ballistic missile systems to remote areas following their delivery by strategic airlifters such as the Antonov An-22 or Ilyushin Il-76.Template:Fix/category[citation needed]

The maiden flight of the Mi-26 took place on 14 December 1977,[4] with production models first emerging on 4 October 1980.[1] Full development concluded in 1983, and by 1985 it had entered service with both Soviet military forces and commercial operators.[2]

File:CCCP-06141-Mi26-1348.jpg
Aeroflot's Mi-26 displayed at the 1984 Farnborough Air Show

Notably, the Mi-26 was the first helicopter produced with a single eight-blade main rotor system installed directly at the factory. It features an engine load-sharing mechanism allowing it to continue flying if one engine fails, depending on payload conditions. Although its empty weight is only marginally greater than that of the Mi-6, it can carry loads up to 20 tonnes (20 long tons; 22 short tons). Ranking as the second heaviest helicopter ever built after the experimental Mil V-12, its tail rotor generates thrust comparable to that of a four-bladed main rotor found on smaller helicopters like the MD Helicopters MD 500.[5]

A distinctive aspect of the Mi-26 is its main gearbox, which weighs approximately 3,639 kilograms (8,023 lb) but can handle power inputs up to 19,725 shaft horsepower (14,709 kW). This capability was achieved through a split-torque, non-planetary gearbox design incorporating quill shafts for distributing torque evenly.[6] Due to limitations of their usual gearbox supplier, Mil’s design bureau engineered this VR-26 transmission internally.[7] The gearbox casing is made from stamped aluminum.[6] A similar split-torque approach is employed in the 12,500 lb (5,700 kg) gearbox used by the American Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion.[8]

As of As of 2024, the Mi-26 retains the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale record for lifting the heaviest mass by a helicopter to an altitude of 2,000 metres (6,600 ft), having lifted 56,768.8 kilograms (125,154 lb) during a flight in 1982.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

In July 2010, there were announcements regarding a joint Russian-Chinese project to develop a heavy-lift helicopter with a maximum takeoff weight around 33 tons.Template:Fix/category[citation needed] Further progress occurred in early 2019 when Russia’s Rostec signed an agreement targeting development of a next-generation heavy-lift rotorcraft capable of carrying up to 40 tons.Template:Fix/category[citation needed]

The Russian manufacturer Rostvertol was contracted to overhaul and modernize approximately twenty Mi-26 helicopters serving with the Russian Air Force. This upgrade aimed to bring these aircraft up to standards comparable with the newer Mi-26T variant. The refurbishment contract was scheduled for completion by 2015 and included manufacturing twenty-two new Mi-26T units. By January 2012, eight newly built helicopters had been delivered to operational units.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Seventeen additional new-production helicopters were supplied under this contract by 2014.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Between 2012 and 2014 Rostvertol delivered fourteen Mi-26s domestically and abroad, followed by six more in 2015.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Deliveries continued through subsequent years including 2016, 2017, and 2019.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

In 2016, development began on a variant powered by the PD-12V engine—a version derived from the Aviadvigatel PD-14 turbofan—intended specifically for use on the Mi-26.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

Operational history

File:P1010525x.jpg
A Mi-26 participating in a military parade over Caracas, Venezuela

Buran programme

During the development of the Buran space shuttle project, engineers explored the possibility of utilizing Mi-26 helicopters to transport assembled components of the Buran spacecraft by bundling them together. However, trial flights using a mock-up revealed that this approach was both hazardous and impractical.[9]

Chernobyl accident

The Mi-26S variant was rapidly developed as an emergency response helicopter during the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster.[10] A total of thirty Mi-26 helicopters were deployed for conducting radiation surveys and executing precise aerial dispersal of insulating substances over the compromised Reactor No. 4. Equipped with tanks for deactivating liquids and under-fuselage spraying systems, these helicopters operated in close proximity to the reactor site. To safeguard the crew during delivery missions to highly contaminated zones, the cabin was outfitted with filtration units and protective shielding.[11]

Siberian Woolly Mammoth recovery

In October 1999, an Mi-26 helicopter was employed to carry a 23-tonne (25-short-ton) frozen soil block containing a well-preserved, 23,000-year-old woolly mammoth specimen (known as the Jarkov Mammoth) from the Siberian tundra to a laboratory located in Khatanga, Russia. Following this heavy-lift operation, the aircraft underwent inspections at the manufacturing facility to assess potential airframe and rotor deformation caused by structural stress from the substantial payload.[3]

Afghanistan Chinook recovery

At the start of 2002, a civilian Mi-26 was chartered to retrieve two United States Army MH-47E Chinook helicopters stranded on a mountainous region in Afghanistan.[3] While one helicopter was deemed too damaged for recovery, the other was considered repairable with an estimated weight of 12 tonnes (26,000 lb) after removal of fuel, rotors, and non-essential components. This weight surpassed the maximum carrying capacity of 9.1 tonnes (20,000 lb) at an altitude of 2,600 metres (8,500 ft) for the U.S. military's Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion.[3]

The Mi-26 was sourced via Skylink Aviation based in Toronto, which maintained ties with Sportsflite, a Russian operator running three civilian Mi-26 helicopters branded as "Heavycopters." One such aircraft, engaged in construction and firefighting tasks in neighboring Tajikistan, was leased at a cost of $300,000. It lifted the Chinook, transported it first to Kabul, then subsequently to Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan for shipment to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, U.S., where repairs were undertaken. Approximately six months later, another Sportsflite-operated Mi-26 Heavycopter recovered a second U.S. Army CH-47 that had made a hard landing about 100 miles (160 km) north of Bagram at an elevation of 1,200 metres (3,900 ft).[3]

Chechnya shootdown incident

Main article: 2002 Khankala Mi-26 crash
File:MI-26 en Mexico.jpg
A Mil Mi-26 of the Mexican Air Force being loaded at Santa Lucía Air Force Base, Mexico

On 19 August 2002, separatist forces in Chechnya targeted an overloaded Mi-26 helicopter with a surface-to-air missile, forcing it to crash in a minefield and resulting in the deaths of 127 individuals on board – the deadliest helicopter accident recorded in aviation history.[12]

Emergency response to Wenchuan "quake lakes" in China

Following the devastating magnitude 8.0 earthquake that struck China's Sichuan province on 12 May 2008, numerous rivers were obstructed by landslides, creating so-called quake lakes—large reservoirs of water held back by natural landslide dams. These dams eventually failed under water pressure,[13] posing significant threats to downstream communities. At Tangjiashan mountain, access was limited to foot or air due to challenging terrain, where at least one Mi-26 operated by a branch of China's civil aviation service (China Flying Dragon Aviation) was employed to transport heavy earthmoving equipment to manage these quake lakes.[14]

Helicopter shootdown in Afghanistan

In July 2009, a Moldovan-operated Mi-26 was downed in Helmand province, resulting in the deaths of six Ukrainian crew members. The aircraft, operated by Pecotox Air, was reportedly engaged in a humanitarian mission under contract with NATO.[15]

Crash involving Indian Air Force Mi-26

On 14 December 2010, an Mi-26 of the Indian Air Force crashed shortly after departing from Jammu Airport, injuring all nine occupants. The helicopter fell from an estimated height of approximately 15 metres (50 ft).[16] An investigation report by the Indian Institute of Flight Safety attributed the accident to improper securing of a truck inside the helicopter, which caused an imbalance leading to the crash. The aircraft had been transporting machinery for the Konkan Railway project linked to the Jammu–Baramulla line.[17][18]

Subsequently, the Indian Air Force retired its remaining three Mi-26 helicopters due to the high costs associated with overhauling two units—which frequently require maintenance given their operation near material strength limits—and limited operational demand. Instead, it opted to acquire Chinook helicopters from the United States.[19]

Norwegian Air Force Sea King Recovery

On 11 December 2012, a Westland Sea King operated by No. 330 Squadron RNoAF encountered unspecified technical difficulties, resulting in an emergency touchdown on Mount Divgagáisá. This forced landing led to damage to parts of the landing gear. Prior to airlifting, the Sea King underwent preparation which included removal of rotor blades and draining of fuel. Subsequently, on 23 December 2012, a Russian Mil Mi-26 helicopter transported it to Banak Air Station.

Russo-Ukrainian War

Main article: Russian invasion of Ukraine

During the 2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive, Russian Mi-26 helicopters were actively used to deploy reinforcements along the frontline, particularly near the towns of Izium and Kupiansk.

Iranian Red Cross and Red Crescent Society

In September 2024, it was revealed that the Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran would temporarily operate this helicopter in Iran for a two-month period under a memorandum of understanding with a Russian firm. This arrangement aims to facilitate the potential acquisition of two Mi-26 helicopters following the evaluation. Additionally, an agreement has been established for procuring 20 new helicopters, which are expected to be delivered within two years if commissioned. The Russian party has assured that the helicopters supplied to the Red Crescent will be outfitted with night vision capabilities and advanced navigation systems.

Variants

File:Mil Mi-26TC.jpg
A Mi-26TC engaged in firefighting operations over Athens
File:MAKS Airshow 2019 (2019-08-30) 192.jpg
Latest variant Mi-26T2V
V-29
Prototype modelTemplate:Fix/category[citation needed]
Mi-26
Standard military cargo and freight transport variant.[20] NATO reporting name: 'Halo-A'.Template:Fix/category[citation needed]
Mi-26A
Enhanced military model featuring updated flight and navigation systems; first flown in 1985 but did not enter production.[20]
Mi-26M
Advanced version equipped with ZMKB Progress D-127 engines designed for improved performance.[21]
Mi-26S
Specialized disaster relief variant developed in response to the nuclear incident at Chernobyl.[20]
Mi-26T
Civilian cargo and freight transport baseline model, produced since 1985.[20]
Mi-26TS
Civil cargo transport version also marketed under the designation Mi-26TC.[20]
Mi-26TM
Flying crane configuration featuring an under-nose gondola accommodating pilot and crane operator.[20]
Mi-26TP
Firefighting model equipped with an internal fire retardant tank holding 15,000 litres (4,000 US gal; 3,300 imp gal).[20]
Mi-26MS
Medical evacuation variant based on Mi-26T, capable of transporting up to 60 stretchers in field ambulance role or configurable as intensive care or field hospital unit.[20]
Mi-26P
Passenger variant accommodating 63 seats.[20]
Mi-26PK
Flying crane derivative adapted from the Mi-26P passenger model.[20]
Mi-26T2
Upgraded iteration of the Mi-26T fitted with BREO-26 airborne electronic system, enabling all-weather day-and-night operations. Serial production commenced on 22 May 2015.[22]
Mi-26T2V
The most recent modernization tailored for Russian military use, featuring the NPK90-2V avionics suite that supports automatic flight paths, "Vitebsk" airborne defense system, blast-resistant seating, plus updated navigation and satellite communication technologies. The cockpit includes multifunctional displays compatible with night vision goggles during nocturnal missions. Its maiden flight occurred in August 2018. Deliveries have reportedly been ongoing as of 2023.[23]
Mi-27
Proposed airborne command post version with two prototypes constructed in 1988, characterized by foldable antennas for both ground and aerial communications.[24]


Military operators

File:Rostvertol Mil Mi-26T2 Naumenko.jpg
A Rostvertol Mil Mi-26T2 performing a flight demonstration
Template:ALG
Template:Country data Cambodia
File:Cambodian Air Force Mil Mi-26T Nathalie.jpg
A Mi-26 operated by the Royal Cambodian Air Force
Template:Country data China
File:Flag placeholder.svg Democratic Republic of the Congo
Template:Country data Equatorial Guinea
Template:Country data Jordan
  • Royal Jordanian Air ForceCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Template:Country data Kazakhstan
Template:Country data Mexico
Template:Country data North Korea
Template:Country data Pakistan
  • Pakistan Army Aviation CorpsCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
File:Миль Ми-26-27 34001212603, Москва - Жуковский (Раменское) RP10149.jpg
A Mi-26T operated by the Russian Ministry of Emergency
File:Flag of Russia.svg Russia
Template:Country data Venezuela

Civil operators

Template:Country data China
File:Flag of Russia.svg Russia

Former operators

Template:Country data Belarus
File:Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium
File:Flag of India.svg India
File:Flag of Peru.svg Peru
Template:Country data USSR
Template:Country data Ukraine
Template:KOR

Specifications (Mi-26)

Mil Mi-26 three-view illustration
Mil Mi-26 three-view illustration
File:Mil Mi-26 Russian helicopter cargo compartment.jpg
Cargo compartment of the Mil-26

Template:Aircraft specs

See also

References

Citations
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named GordomHLH
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Donald_M-26
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Croft 28-33
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named jawa03 p392
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named art
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named lev
  7. ↑ Smirnov, G., "Multiple-Power-Path Nonplanetary Main Gearbox of the Mi-26 Heavy-Lift Transport Helicopter", Vertiflite March/April 1990
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named inch
  9. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  10. ↑ [1] [2] Archived 4 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant
  11. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  12. ↑ "Chechen gets life for air attack" Archived 17 January 2006 at the Wayback Machine. BBC news, 29 April 2004.
  13. ↑ Swollen lake tops China's quake relief agenda, draining, evacuation side by side Archived 11 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Xinhua, 2008-05-28.
  14. ↑ Copters take off to large Sichuan "quake lake" Archived 30 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine. chinadaily.com.cn, 2008-05-24.
  15. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  16. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  17. ↑ "IAF helicopter crashes in Jammu, all safe" Archived 4 January 2013 at the Wayback Machine. NDTV, 14 December 2010. Retrieved: 23 July 2012.
  18. ↑ "IAF Chopper Crashes, Leaves 9 Injured". Outlook India, 14 December 2010. Retrieved: 23 July 2012.
  19. ↑ "Indian Air Force inducts Chinook: 5 things to know about this game-changing helicopter" Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).. India Today, 25 March 2019. Retrieved: 24 January 2025.
  20. ↑ 20.00 20.01 20.02 20.03 20.04 20.05 20.06 20.07 20.08 20.09 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named JAWA p393-4
  21. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named AFMag199503
  22. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  23. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  24. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named AllAero
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 25.4 25.5 25.6 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named World Air Forces 2018
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named WORLD AIR FORCES 2008
  27. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named IISS2014_p233
  28. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named WORLD AIR FORCES 2011/12
  29. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named AI511 p112
  30. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  31. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  32. ↑ "Belarus – Air Force and Air Defense Forces". russianplanes.net
  33. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  34. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  35. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  36. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  37. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  38. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Bibliography
  • Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  • Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  • Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  • Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  • Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Notes
  1. ↑ While the Mil V-12 surpasses it in size, only two prototypes of that model were constructed.

External links

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