NEWSLETTER December 2017 Issue 2
RUSSIAN HELICOPTERS UPGRADES MI-171E HELICOPTERS
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ussian Helicopters, part of Rostec State Corporation, is working on a new upgrade to its Mi-171E multipurpose helicopters. Flight tests of the new Mi-171E with upgraded power unit and rotor system has been started at Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant (UUAP). The upgraded Mi-171E helicopter is equipped with a new rotor and X-shaped tail
rotor with blades made of polymer composite materials, upgraded swash plate, Russian-made VK-2500PS-03 engine with a FADECtype digital control system, and with modified stabilizer and keel beam. The new technical upgrades and innovations will enhance the economic efficiency of the helicopter. The upgrades are expected to finish by the end of the 2017. The Mi-171E helicopter, equipped with a new carrier system, can increase the maximum speed, the flight range and external sling payload, and can make flights in the thin air of high altitudes and high temperatures more smoothly. The new X-shaped blades of tail and main rotor will reduce the noise level significantly. The modernised version is expected to boost the demand for Mi-171E helicopters in the market. All the components of the carrier system has become lighter, their resources have been increased. Also, the maintenance complexity has been decreased. Digital de-icing system for composite blades of main and tail rotor is a new feature of Mi-171E helicopter.
PHILIPPINES TO BUY EMBRAER ATTACK PLANES
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hilippine Air Force (PAF) will soon induct A-29 Super Tucano combat aircrafts in their attack air fleet. The move has been announced by Brazilian aerospace conglomerate Embraer, the
winning bidder to supply the propeller-driven planes to PAF for $98.5 million. Embraer has received the order of six A-29 Super Tucano light attack and advanced training aircraft. PAF has decided to include Super Tucano as part of its ongoing modernization plan ‘Flight Plan 2028’. The aircraft will be deployed for close air support, light attack, surveillance, air-to-air interception, and counterinsurgency missions. Embraer has said that the deliveries will start in 2019. The Super Tucano is one of the best light attack aircraft in the market.The A-29 Super Tucano is a durable, versatile and powerful turboprop aircraft capable of carrying out a wide range of missions, even operating from unimproved runways. Super Tucano has been selected by 14 air forces worldwide till date. Once the delivery of these aircraft is completed, they will be turned over to and maintained by the 15th Strike Wing, the PAF’s end-user. Also Philippine Air Force has long been seeking new attack planes to deal with Islamist extremists and communist rebels in rural areas of the country. The comprehensive public bidding process has been participated by several manufacturers from around the globe and the Super Tucano was selected through stringent evaluation processes.
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