2012 MIL MI 8MSB

2012

MIL

MI-8MSB

Used

In November of 2011 the Ukrainian Government certified the Mil-8 MSB model which is made by converting existing Mil-8T via full remanufacturing of the airframe, overhaul and upgrade of existing components with state-of-the art technology. At the heart of the modification is installation of the new version of the engine, which even the latest Mil-17 helicopters lack. Its TV3-117-VMA-SBM-1V-4E version engine has superior performance parameters when compared with all other engines installed in the entire fleet of Mil-8/17 and Kamov helicopters, offering superior payload, altitude, range, and total operational costs. For example, the modernized Mil-8 MSB quickly climbs to 8700m compared to the Mil-17 operational ceiling of 5000m, and it has a range of 650km compared to the practical range of 480km for the Mil-8T and 580km for the Mil-17. The Mil-8 MSB helicopters have superior capabilities to the newest MiL-17 helicopters, including those recently purchased by the US Army for close to $18m each. This Mil-8 MSB version is already dubbed as "Super Mil-8" in the West. All helicopters in the initial batch are already situated at the overhaul depot facility in Konotop, Ukraine. Under agreement with AVIA Export, the Ukrainian manufacturer, overhauls, upgrades, certifies, and equips each helicopter per end customer specifications. Additional technology vendors may be involved in supply and integration of specialized components in accordance with all applicable international conventions. Options include certified Glass Cockpits, Honeywell's Mi-17 Primus Epic cockpit modification, and Honeywell Zing package of remote diagnostic maintenance monitoring systems. Due to the comprehensive nature of the remanufacturing process the manufacturer assigns a new year of manufacture to the airframe. Each complete batch of Mil-8 MSB includes warranty and maintenance services, and a full complement of spare parts.

Numbering well over 17,000 production examples, the Mil Mi-8 (NATO reporting name of "Hip") can be viewed as one of the most successful helicopter designs of all time. It has seen use as a passenger transport, troop transport, VIP transport, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, assault, artillery spotter and airborne command post throughout its tenure with the various nations that have purchased the aircraft. Today, the Mi-8 remains in use as an perationallevel instrument in many of the air forces and army groups that have seen value in the type. Production of MI-8/MI-17 helicopter continues as of today. Operators of the Mi-8 cover the world over and appear in both militarized and civilian guises. Prominent military and civil operators include Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, Chad, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Germany, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, Germany, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Libya, Lithuania, Macedonia, Madagascar, Montenegro, Maldives, Mali, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nepal, Pakistan, Paraguay, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Serbia, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Thailand, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia. Notable operators also include the United States, which featured the type with their 6th Special Operations Squadron for training purposes. The American-based contracting group, Blackwater USA, used the type as well. The principal advantage of the Mi-8 MSB helicopter is its new engine. Designers from Motor Sich have been working on a modification of the TV3-117 helicopter engine for more than five years, able to raise Mi-8 helicopters to a height of over 8,700 m. The TV3-117-VMA-SBM-1V-4E (Photo 7) has already passed state testing in Russia and has the respective certificate. Maximum engine power reaches 2800 shp, which gives the engine the ability to maintain Flat Rate power of 1500 shp in hot air temperature, heavy smoke, dust and high altitude conditions. Fuel consumption per hour has been decreased from 620 kg to 592 kg. In addition, the lifespan of TV3-117-VMA-SBM-1V-4E engines is 2.5 times longer than older TV2-117 engines, reaching 5000 hours. Accordingly, this extends the anticipated service life of the Mi-8 MSB by 10-16 years over previous models.