The cargo helicopter. The largest helicopters in the world

The largest cargo helicopter was designed and constructed in the USSR. We will give a more detailed description at the end of the review. The aircraft can vertically take off, land, hover in the air and move with a large load for a decent distance. Below you can read about several cars, ranked among the largest helicopters in the world.

Mi-10 rotorcraft

This is a Soviet transport vehicle, which was developed from 1961 to 1964. It belongs to the category of military transporters, it is designed on an earlier base of Mi-6. Commissioned in 1963. The maximum load capacity of the machine is 15 tons. The weight of the empty device is almost twice as high, the maximum speed is 235 kilometers per hour.

The critical take-off mass is 43.7 tons. The second name is the "Flying Crane". On board it accommodates twenty-eight passengers and is designed primarily for the transportation of ballistic missiles.

Sikorsky CH-53E

This modification is a heavy transport aircraft, which is considered the largest rotorcraft built in America. Its primary purpose is to perform special operations in the Marine Corps units. However, later the cargo helicopter Sikorsky CH-53E began to be operated in other areas. During the operation proved to be a reliable high-speed and effective apparatus.

The unit is in service with several countries, including Germany, the United States, Mexico and Israel. In total, more than 520 vehicles of this series are produced. The maximum take-off weight is 19 tons, the maximum speed indicator is 315 kilometers per hour, the empty object weight is 10.7 tons.

Boeing MH-47E Chinook and Bell AH-1 Super Cobra

The MH model is one of the variations of the US military transport helicopter, based on the CH-47C. It has been in operation since 1991. It weighs more than 10 tons, has a top speed of over 310 km / h and is considered one of the fastest rotorcraft in the world. Continues to be used in some countries and now.

Super Cobra is a type of twin-engine US combat helicopters, based on the predecessor of the AH-1W series. This modification is the main strike force of United States marines. The high-speed threshold of the car is 350 kilometers per hour, and its weight is almost 5 tons in empty condition, and a third more when fully equipped.

Helicopter Hughes XH-17

This device was built in 1952. At that time it was considered extremely heavy (19.7 tons). This flying crane was used to lift and transport super-heavy loads by means of an external suspension. The unit was released in just one instance, a test flight was made in the city of Culver (California). The limiting speed is 145 kilometers per hour. Until now, this machine holds a record for the size of the main rotor, whose diameter is 36.9 meters.

Sikorsky CH-54 Tarhe

Heavy transport helicopter of this series is designed specifically for the US Army. He performed a number of operations during the Vietnamese campaign. For all time 105 machines of this modification have been produced. The unit keeps the record for the maximum height with a horizontal displacement (11 kilometers) and the fastest climb to three and nine kilometers. Its mass is 9 tons, the maximum speed is 240 km / h. The critical take-off weight is 21 tons. It is actively used by armies of different states.

Mi-24

Russia's cargo helicopters of this modification are designed to support ground forces with the ability to transport heavy loads. On board, he can take up to eight passengers, not counting a pair of pilots. The machine is considered the first in Europe and the second in the world, related to specialized combat rotorcraft technology. The Mi-24 helicopter is deployed in almost thirty countries.

Its apparatus was received during the Afghan campaign ("Galya", "Crocodile", "Glass"). The last nickname was fixed after him thanks to the flat glass inserts, which are equipped with the outer part of the cabin. The maximum flight weight is 11.1 tons, the speed threshold is 335 kilometers per hour. The weight of the empty unit is 7.5 tons.

Mi-6

This aircraft has more modest characteristics than the Mi-10, designed for use in civil and military purposes. Trial flight of the helicopter took place in the summer of 1957. Until 1972, more than five hundred copies were produced. The maximum load capacity is 12 tons. For that time, it was considered one of the most hardy and fastest rotorcraft, having a top speed of 300 kilometers per hour. The maximum take-off weight is 42.5 tons, and the weight of the empty vehicle is 27.2 tons.

B-12 (Mi-12)

The experimental twin-screw helicopter is the largest car among analogues in the whole world. It was supposed that he would transport cargo weighing not less than 30 tons, including components of intercontinental strategic ballistic missiles. In total, two such cars were built, one of which raised a cargo of 44.2 tons to a height of 2.2 thousand meters. The empty weight is 69 tons, the maximum take-off weight is 105 tons, and the speed threshold is 260 km / h. One copy has now become a museum exhibit, and the second serves as an exhibition complex on the subject of the Air Force.

Record-holder

The largest cargo helicopter, launched into mass production, is the Mi-26. Let us consider its characteristics and features in more detail. The machine was designed in the seventies of the last century. The first flight was carried out in 1977. The main purpose of this device is the possibility of military application and use for civilian purposes.

Modern Mi-26 are designed primarily for the army industry, can transport a huge number of passengers and heavy cargo. It is worth noting that the flight range is relatively small. Without refueling and cargo with full fuel tanks, the helicopter can overcome about eight hundred kilometers. The size of this machine is impressive. The length of the aircraft is 40 meters, the diameter of the bearing propeller is 32 meters, and the width of the cargo compartment is 3.2 meters.

Features of Mi-26

The cargo helicopter in question has a number of advantages and has several records on its account, established before its serial production. In 1982, the machine was able to sink a load of 25 tons, lifting it to a height of four kilometers. At the same time, the entire weight of the device was more than 56.5 tons. Nine world records are set by the pilot Irina Kopets. In addition, the crew of the flying rotorcraft could overcome a closed circle of two thousand kilometers in length when passing through a strong meteorological front at a cruising speed of about 280 km / h.

The Mi-26 helicopter is capable of transporting various military equipment, the weight of which does not exceed 20 tons. Loading of vehicles is carried out through the rear hatch, which has a pair of swinging flaps. In addition, the helicopter can accommodate more than 80 soldiers or 68 people parachute landing. If necessary, the device is reconstructed for the transportation of the wounded with the possibility of placing stretchers and three accompanying medical workers. The range of flight is available to increase by mounting additional fuel tanks directly in the cargo compartment.

Parameters of the technical plan Mi-26

Below are the main technical characteristics of this helicopter:

• The size of the carrier / steering propeller is 32 / 7.6 meters in diameter;
• The number of blades on the main propeller - eight pieces;
• Machine length - 40 meters;
• Chassis (track / base) - 8.95 / 5 meters;
• Weight (minimum / maximum / recommended) - 28 / 49.5 / 56 tons;
• Index of carrying capacity (in the cabin / on the external suspension) - 20/20 tons;
• Length / width / height of the cargo area - 12 / 3,2 / 3,1 m;
• Crew - two or six people (when controlling the external suspension);
• The maximum passenger capacity is 80 people;
• Power unit - a pair of turbine engines with a capacity of 11,400 horsepower each;
• Speed (limit / cruising) - 300/265 kilometers per hour;
• Fuel consumption - 3.1 tons per hour;
• The power reserve with the maximum load is 475 km.

The practical ceiling of this helicopter varies within 4.6 kilometers with an average takeoff weight of 49.6 tons.

Equipment

Developing a military cargo helicopter Mi-26, designers took into account the shortcomings and problems of previous models. Predominantly changes affected the air fences. Before these elements were installed dust protection, which makes it possible to clean the flow by seventy percent. This solution allowed to take off from dusty areas, without reducing the engine power.

In addition, repair areas have been transformed, which do not require additional equipment when servicing the machine by mechanics. Convenience of loading and unloading works is provided by a pair of winches with carrying capacity of 5000 kg. It is also possible to adjust the loading ladder with a hydraulic drive, which can be controlled from the cockpit of the pilot, the cargo hold or from the outside of the helicopter. The developers have equipped the aircraft with a number of devices that facilitate loading from cars or directly from the ground.

The Mi-26 was equipped with the latest technology and technical achievements. The helicopter is equipped with a meteorological radar, which makes it possible to perform flights, regardless of weather conditions and time of day. This device is highly accurate, and its configuration takes several minutes. Also in the cockpit there is a three-channel autopilot, a modernized system for recording messages and flight data.

The result

The Mi-26 cargo helicopter has been manufactured so far, and all thanks to its excellent characteristics and a high level of safety. However, the production volumes are rather modest, usually the machines are manufactured under special orders. The device is constantly being modernized, equipped with modern instruments and meets all world standards in its class.