Mi-171Sh combat transports of the Bangladesh Air Force – enough weaponry to arm a Mi-24 Hind gunship
Mi171Sh of the Pakistan Air Force
Beeg Eagle’s Blog presents for your reading pleasure, a truly impressive and multi-sided helicopter.
The Mi-171Sh COMBAT TRANSPORT HELICOPTER is the export version of the dedicated military variant that is the Mi-8AMTSh which is deployed by the Russian Air Force.
Ordinarily, the proven and very widely deployed Mi-8/Mi-17 series of medium-lift helicopters from which the Mi-171Sh was developed would pass for utility helicopters but the Mi-171Sh is so well armed that she carries a panoply of armaments fit for Hind-series helicopter gunships. So much so that they are officially designated, not as utility helicopters but as “COMBAT TRANSPORT” helicopters. That duality ensures that they are able to sustain the enviable track records of the Mi-8/Mi-17 utility helicopters and also carry a very formidable array of weapons such as would be expected of Mi-24 attack helicopters.
According to SIPRI records, the Nigerian Air Force(NAF) field this impressive airframe – the Mi-171Sh. This makes for interoperability with the growing fleet of Mi-24V and Mi-35P gunships of the NAF.
Last June, Nigeria’s Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar, while commissioning facilities at the 207 Special Mobility Group of the NAF, revealed that the 207 SMG are expected to receive a fresh consignment of six Mi-17 helicopters as part of an initial phase of deliveries, soon but without painting a clearer picture of the total number of the aircraft type slated for delivery to the Nigerian Air Force.
Based on the established trend, those are most likely going to be Mi-171Sh COMBAT – TRANSPORT helicopters.
TECHNICAL DATA:
MI-171SH COMBAT – TRANSPORT HELICOPTER
Mi-171Sh helicopter is a military-transport version of Mi-171 helicopter, which is one of the most intensively operated helicopters in its class. Mi-171 Sh helicopter was developed on the basis of comprehensive analysis of Russian helicopters’ operation in combat activities in local armed conflicts. As the result, the Russian designers succeeded to create a helicopter able to effectively solve a wide range of tasks in the real combat conditions.
Mi-171Sh military-transport helicopter is a considerably new helicopter for the world market – it was first sold as recently as in 2002. Nevertheless, in a range of countries in South-Eastern and Central Asia, in Middle East and in Africa, in Europe (including the NATO countries) and CIS it has proved to be a reliable, effective in operation and simple in maintenance helicopter.
PURPOSE
*transportation and tactical assault landing of up to 36 troops;
*transportation of up to 12 casualties on stretchers, accompanied by medics;
*transportation of cargoes up to 4000 kg in cargo compartment;
*transportation of cargoes up to 4000 kg on external sling;
*highly-effective elimination of hostile manpower, armored vehicles, water surface targets, buildings, fortified firing point, and other movable and stationary targets.
*troop fire support
*escorting the military columns
*CSAR
*reconnaissance operations
*patrolling
*civil operations (search-and-rescue operations, firefighting, etc.)
VARIANTS
The Mi-171Sh combat version is fitted with various weapons, a self-defence system, transportation and medical equipment, avionics and instruments enabling all-weather, all-climate, day/night operations. The helicopter can be converted into the assault/medevac versions in the field.
The medevac version can transport up to 12 stretcher casualties and a medical attendant. The Mi-171Sh has the LPG-150 winch with a crane jib for hoisting personnel and cargoes, and the SU-R device for rapid troop downroping in the hovering mode.
Survivability is increased thanks to the use of exhaust screens, flare dispenser, removable armour plates, and protected fuel tanks. On customer request the Mi-171 helicopters can be modified into the Mi-171Sh variants with installation of Russian- or foreign-made equipment.
ARMAMENT
The Mi-171Sh helicopter can carry up to eight Ataka/Shturm ATGMs, up to four B8V20-A pods with S-8 rockets, up to two UPK-23-250 gun pods, and 7.62mm PKT machine guns mounted on the swivelling nose gun mount. Troops can fire their side arms through six swivelling portholes in the side windows and doorway.
In accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation, all kinds of military equipment, including Mi-171Sh, can only be supplied abroad by FSUE “Rosoboronexport”, the Russian state special exporter.
REFERENCES:
ULAN-UDE AVIATION PLANT
armedkomando
