Mil M-26 Heavy Lift Helicopter

Introduction:

The Mil Mi-26 is the world’s heaviest-lift helicopter in serial production, able to carry up to 20 tons of cargo in its cabin or on an external sling. The first prototype flew in 1977 with pre-production machines were from 1980, production machines sometime after that.

 

The Mi-26 is notable for its eight blade main rotor, powerful 7457kW (10,000shp) D-136 turboshaft engines and massive size.

The Mi-26T model used as a basic civillian freighter has a BREO-28 Airborne Electronic System which provides up to date real time information to the piolots allowing them to fly in adverse weather conditions.

Other versions are the Mi-26A with automated approach and descent avionics, Mi-26MS medevac version, Mi-26P 63 passenger airliner, Mi-26TM flying crane with under nose gondola to allow supervision of sling operations, and Mi-26TZ fuel tanker and the new Mi-26M which features a new 1a 0,700kW class ZMKB Progress D127 turboshafts, better hot and high performance, increased maximum payload, composite main rotor blades, improved aerodynamics and EFIS flightdeck.

General Characteristics:

Crew: Five– 2 pilots, 1 navigator, 1 flight engineer, 1 flight technician

Capacity: 90 passangers, 20,000 kg cargo 

Length: 40.025 m (rotors turning)

Rotor diameter: 32.00 m 

Height: 8.145 m

Disc area: 804.25 m²

Empty Weight: 28,200 kg

Loaded weight: 49,600 kg

Max. takeoff weight: 56,000 kg

Powerplant: 2 × Lotarev D-136 turboshafts 8,500 kW each

Performance:

Max. speed: 295 km/hr

Cruise Speed: 255 km/hr Range: 1,920 km (with auxiliary tanks)

Service Ceiling: 4,600m

Operating Temperature Range: Down to -60 Deg C 

Central Asia:

In Central Asia the Mil Mi-26T and other varients are regularly used for construction and installation operations using both rapid-motion loading techniques with grappling gear and slower, precision erection techniques. Typical operations include laying pipelines and positioning precast concrete elements, installing and mounting frame-support systems for a wide range of rooftop equipment and infrastructure installation on tall buildings, industrial and chemical enterprises, and mounting towers for relay and mobile communications. Cargo lifting operations can be conducted from any open area and do not require any special ground infrastructure. Both Gazprom and Lukoil and a number of other major  CIS companies use heavy lift helicopters in their operations in Central Asia as well as being utilised by national emergency organisations.