Russian Air Force News & Discussion

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member

Put this video on progress of Mi-38. This supposedly become Mi-8/17 replacement and potentially giving Russia something to offer against AW-101 in Export market.

The protracted development has been happening long before Ukraine War. Even after War started and western embargoes coming in full force, seems the development of fully Russian version will takes time. Sometimes I wandering whether Russia is put serious priority for Mi-17 replacement.
First flight in 2003, and still not in production. It indeed looks like they want to create a modern replacement for the Mi-8/-17 and SA 321, but without spending money and energy in the program.
 

Terran

Well-Known Member
First flight in 2003, and still not in production. It indeed looks like they want to create a modern replacement for the Mi-8/-17 and SA 321, but without spending money and energy in the program.
Same story with the KA60/62/64. They tried to make a Blackhawkski but it’s trapped in development hell.
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
First flight in 2003, and still not in production. It indeed looks like they want to create a modern replacement for the Mi-8/-17 and SA 321, but without spending money and energy in the program.
Given the current situation it's a very unnecessary project. The upgraded Mi-8 family is more then adequate for Russian needs and still sells well on international markets. It's simply not the priority. The project had gained some ground pre-war but then got stuck again possibly due to sanctions or technology issues. Some quantity of Mi-38s were handed over as "serial", meaning with a serial technical passport, but then production halted again.

Same story with the KA60/62/64. They tried to make a Blackhawkski but it’s trapped in development hell.
I was never really sure why they were proceeding with it at all. A new naval helicopter is much more important.
 

Terran

Well-Known Member
I was never really sure why they were proceeding with it at all. A new naval helicopter is much more important
The Goal seems to have originated in the addressing the compromise made by the Mi24. By combining the troop transport with the gunship fuselage it sacrificed troop capacity. When loaded for passengers it looses weapons. When loaded for attack it looses passengers. Thats why ultimately only the Hind series takes that configuration.
In the early 1980s the Russians started looking at replacing the Hind they developed the Havok. The Havok despite all the video games isn’t a troop transport like the Hind. Though it has a small bay that could be used for passengers it’s not meant to be used on the regular.
Mi28 is a Gunship by design so if they wanted to replace Mi24 that would leave a gap requiring something to take the transport role. Initially they had another Flying IFV derived from the Havok in mind although more troop transport than gunship.
That requirement evolved and both Mil and Kamov saw an opportunity. However it was the 1980s the Soviet economy was in free fall. Those concepts were put on the back burner until the 1990 when Russian aviation was desperate to find potential export opportunities. Since then it’s been in development hell. It’s in the right size class for utility, ASW, CSAR, Assault, Ambulance , VIP roles. It’s just on export it hits either one of the more established foreign competitors like Sikorsky, Airbus, Leonardo. Or it’s to immature or the potential buyer is more interested in an indigenous development like India or China. Even The Russian government bought Italian AW139s for Use during the term of Medvedev as PM and President. Probably still used for that.
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
The Goal seems to have originated in the addressing the compromise made by the Mi24. By combining the troop transport with the gunship fuselage it sacrificed troop capacity. When loaded for passengers it looses weapons. When loaded for attack it looses passengers. Thats why ultimately only the Hind series takes that configuration.
In the early 1980s the Russians started looking at replacing the Hind they developed the Havok. The Havok despite all the video games isn’t a troop transport like the Hind. Though it has a small bay that could be used for passengers it’s not meant to be used on the regular.
Mi28 is a Gunship by design so if they wanted to replace Mi24 that would leave a gap requiring something to take the transport role. Initially they had another Flying IFV derived from the Havok in mind although more troop transport than gunship.
That requirement evolved and both Mil and Kamov saw an opportunity. However it was the 1980s the Soviet economy was in free fall. Those concepts were put on the back burner until the 1990 when Russian aviation was desperate to find potential export opportunities. Since then it’s been in development hell. It’s in the right size class for utility, ASW, CSAR, Assault, Ambulance , VIP roles. It’s just on export it hits either one of the more established foreign competitors like Sikorsky, Airbus, Leonardo. Or it’s to immature or the potential buyer is more interested in an indigenous development like India or China. Even The Russian government bought Italian AW139s for Use during the term of Medvedev as PM and President. Probably still used for that.
I don't see how a Ka-60 addresses the Mi-24 compromise. Are you saying the planned to pair it with the Mi-28? If so, that's an odd decision. The Mi-8 family handles the transport role just fine, and can even provide fire support with the right loadout. Why create a whole new aircraft to fill the same role?
 

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
Given the current situation it's a very unnecessary project. The upgraded Mi-8 family is more then adequate for Russian needs and still sells well on international markets. It's simply not the priority. The project had gained some ground pre-war but then got stuck again possibly due to sanctions or technology issues. Some quantity of Mi-38s were handed over as "serial", meaning with a serial technical passport, but then production halted again.



I was never really sure why they were proceeding with it at all. A new naval helicopter is much more important.
Yes, the Mi-8/-17 is proven design, still capable and successful on the export market.

Didn't they plan to create a naval version, Ka-60K, as a Ka-27/-29 replacement?
 

Terran

Well-Known Member
I don't see how a Ka-60 addresses the Mi-24 compromise. Are you saying the planned to pair it with the Mi-28? If so, that's an odd decision. The Mi-8 family handles the transport role just fine, and can even provide fire support with the right loadout. Why create a whole new aircraft to fill the same role?
More or less yes. Eventually. Initially the Soviets intended to create a Flying IFV based off the Mi28 called the Mi40. It would have been much closer to the Mi24 in terms of configuration with only an 8 infantry capacity. The 1980s killed that but after the Mi28 had completed development.
Kamov and Mil in the early 1990s tried to salvage export and military sales opportunities using the data and designs they had creating the KA60 and Mil 54. With the Mil 54 being scrapped soon after conception. KA60 seemed more viable.
As to the compromise and partnership, is it really that odd? UH60 partners with AH64, Z20 partners with Z21/Z10. AH1 partners with UH1.
Again two Mi24 Carry about 14 paratroopers that 7 each and a door gunner. But it can only do so with a substantial reduction in arms.
A KA60 is supposed to carry 14 paratroopers per ship. So in a 2-2 you have moved from 2 striped Hinds and 14 infantry to 1 fully loaded Mi28 and one assault helicopter with 14 infantry. Of course in practice it would have likely been a different ratio.
However the driving force of the program or what there was of one was to try and get civilian sales to pay for military development. This likely lead to the stalled process.
The Mi-8 family handles the transport role just fine, and can even provide fire support with the right loadout. Why create a whole new aircraft to fill the same role?
In the original Soviets scheme the Mi8 was next on the list for retirement. Mil and the Soviets had planned a 5 year development for a Tiltrotor to replace the Mi8 between 1986 and 1995.
Of course that was the late 80s and the economics killed that.
Still if we look at other Air assault forces they often have 3 tiers of rotorcraft. An attacker, an Assaulter of 10+ troops and a cargo carrier often of 20+ troops. AH64+UH60+CH47 in example.

The Mi8 and Mi17 are large aircraft with three engines this makes them thirsty and with higher maintenance demand than a twin engine medium. They also have size restrictions that prevent the degree of strategic mobility available to a medium. In example you mentioned a Naval helicopter. Many western medium helicopters the size of the KA60 are navalized allowing use off naval destroyers and frigates without needing to develop a clean sheet aircraft. Kamov said they intended a KA60K for naval operations.
In size Aircraft like the S70 are able to be transported in larger numbers on transport like the C17 and even can be carried in C130. Where Mi8 would have to be partially disassembled for carry in Il72 and AN124 well taking up large volume. Bigger isn’t always better.
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Yes, the Mi-8/-17 is proven design, still capable and successful on the export market.

Didn't they plan to create a naval version, Ka-60K, as a Ka-27/-29 replacement?
Good question. The answer appears to be mostly no. The Minoga project is meant to be the next naval helicopter but it's exact configuration isn't really known. The models we've seen don't look like a Ka-60 variant so probably not. But it's hard to be certain.

More or less yes. Eventually. Initially the Soviets intended to create a Flying IFV based off the Mi28 called the Mi40. It would have been much closer to the Mi24 in terms of configuration with only an 8 infantry capacity. The 1980s killed that but after the Mi28 had completed development.
Kamov and Mil in the early 1990s tried to salvage export and military sales opportunities using the data and designs they had creating the KA60 and Mil 54. With the Mil 54 being scrapped soon after conception. KA60 seemed more viable.
As to the compromise and partnership, is it really that odd? UH60 partners with AH64, Z20 partners with Z21/Z10. AH1 partners with UH1.
Mi-28 partners with Mi-17. That's the logical step.

Again two Mi24 Carry about 14 paratroopers that 7 each and a door gunner. But it can only do so with a substantial reduction in arms.
A KA60 is supposed to carry 14 paratroopers per ship. So in a 2-2 you have moved from 2 striped Hinds and 14 infantry to 1 fully loaded Mi28 and one assault helicopter with 14 infantry. Of course in practice it would have likely been a different ratio.
Again why not just the Mi-8 family? They exist, they do the job.

However the driving force of the program or what there was of one was to try and get civilian sales to pay for military development. This likely lead to the stalled process.
I think the main thing is that the military didn't want it. In terms of Russian re-armament in the 2000's and 2010's the Mi-8 family was king for transport, along with small numbers of Mi-26s.

In the original Soviets scheme the Mi8 was next on the list for retirement. Mil and the Soviets had planned a 5 year development for a Tiltrotor to replace the Mi8 between 1986 and 1995.
Of course that was the late 80s and the economics killed that.
Still if we look at other Air assault forces they often have 3 tiers of rotorcraft. An attacker, an Assaulter of 10+ troops and a cargo carrier often of 20+ troops. AH64+UH60+CH47 in example.

The Mi8 and Mi17 are large aircraft with three engines this makes them thirsty and with higher maintenance demand than a twin engine medium.
Sorry, 3 engines? I believe they have two.

They also have size restrictions that prevent the degree of strategic mobility available to a medium. In example you mentioned a Naval helicopter. Many western medium helicopters the size of the KA60 are navalized allowing use off naval destroyers and frigates without needing to develop a clean sheet aircraft. Kamov said they intended a KA60K for naval operations.
The absolutely don't work for a naval helo and in fact Russia's most common post-Soviet warship is the 20380 family of corvettes, so a future naval helo has to fit in their hangar ruling out the Mi-8 family. Does the Ka-60 fit in there?

In size Aircraft like the S70 are able to be transported in larger numbers on transport like the C17 and even can be carried in C130. Where Mi8 would have to be partially disassembled for carry in Il72 and AN124 well taking up large volume. Bigger isn’t always better.
Fair enough but stacked against something that exists and can be purchased now it's not the strongest of arguments. I guess it makes sense on some level in Soviet military planning, where the resources were available. I had never encountered this explanation and was under the impression that the Ka-60 was one of those post-Soviet projects that "danced from the stove" in the sense of pushing off of a Soviet design because it existed not because it made sense to develop this specific aircraft. The context for the Ka-60 program is mostly post-Soviet and in that context it doesn't make much sense unless it's commercially viable.
 

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
More or less yes. Eventually. Initially the Soviets intended to create a Flying IFV based off the Mi28 called the Mi40. It would have been much closer to the Mi24 in terms of configuration with only an 8 infantry capacity. The 1980s killed that but after the Mi28 had completed development.
Kamov and Mil in the early 1990s tried to salvage export and military sales opportunities using the data and designs they had creating the KA60 and Mil 54. With the Mil 54 being scrapped soon after conception. KA60 seemed more viable.
As to the compromise and partnership, is it really that odd? UH60 partners with AH64, Z20 partners with Z21/Z10. AH1 partners with UH1.
Again two Mi24 Carry about 14 paratroopers that 7 each and a door gunner. But it can only do so with a substantial reduction in arms.
A KA60 is supposed to carry 14 paratroopers per ship. So in a 2-2 you have moved from 2 striped Hinds and 14 infantry to 1 fully loaded Mi28 and one assault helicopter with 14 infantry. Of course in practice it would have likely been a different ratio.
However the driving force of the program or what there was of one was to try and get civilian sales to pay for military development. This likely lead to the stalled process.

In the original Soviets scheme the Mi8 was next on the list for retirement. Mil and the Soviets had planned a 5 year development for a Tiltrotor to replace the Mi8 between 1986 and 1995.
Of course that was the late 80s and the economics killed that.
Still if we look at other Air assault forces they often have 3 tiers of rotorcraft. An attacker, an Assaulter of 10+ troops and a cargo carrier often of 20+ troops. AH64+UH60+CH47 in example.

The Mi8 and Mi17 are large aircraft with three engines this makes them thirsty and with higher maintenance demand than a twin engine medium. They also have size restrictions that prevent the degree of strategic mobility available to a medium. In example you mentioned a Naval helicopter. Many western medium helicopters the size of the KA60 are navalized allowing use off naval destroyers and frigates without needing to develop a clean sheet aircraft. Kamov said they intended a KA60K for naval operations.
In size Aircraft like the S70 are able to be transported in larger numbers on transport like the C17 and even can be carried in C130. Where Mi8 would have to be partially disassembled for carry in Il72 and AN124 well taking up large volume. Bigger isn’t always better.
As far as i know, all Mi-8/-14/-17/-24 versions, like Feanor already said, have only two engines.
 

Terran

Well-Known Member
Mi-28 partners with Mi-17. That's the logical step.

Again why not just the Mi-8 family? They exist, they do the job.
I went over the downsides of size and weight. The primary user would be VDV/ Airborne. Which means rapid deployment potential into unprepared areas. Shipping a Mi17 requires breaking it down and reassembling it. In Syria Russia had the advantage of having a airbase that was secure and friendly, But as we saw in Ukraine when the VDV tried to take an airbase that was capable of resisting the Russians were unable to establish a line of operations.

I think the main thing is that the military didn't want it. In terms of Russian re-armament in the 2000's and 2010's the Mi-8 family was king for transport, along with small numbers of Mi-26s.
I think the main thing is the Russian military couldn’t afford it. Not so much not wanting it. They could afford Mi8s and Mi17s as those were being bought off an active line of export as well as sustained inventory. KA60 was developmental requiring both a new airframe but also new avionics and particularly new engines.
We saw long delays in new systems or other long vapor projects where they promised development only to repeat the same claims years later with the assurance they mean it this time. New fighters, new bombers, new tanks, new helicopters, new rifles, new IFVs, new ect… ect…
Sorry, 3 engines? I believe they have two.
I was wrong though it’s still larger and heavier with more thirsty engines. The engines on the Mi8 are old and large. The Mi38’s new engines are large and less fuel efficient than those of a smaller aircraft.
Ultimately that’s both the damnation and blessing. Smaller
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Russia is reportedly expanding Su-57 production. Despite the war and sanctions the type is definitely still in production and doesn't seem to be going anywhere. If anything with the arrival of F-16s, especially if more modern variants show up, it will be potentially the most valuable combat jet Russia has.


Reportedly Russia has completely withdrawn the An-22 from service. It could probably be returned to service if need-be, but their time in the sun is over.


Su-57 and Su-35S deliveries continue.


The third and fourth batches of Su-34s is delivered this year. These initially less-than-useful jets are now core to Russia's war effort. Batches seem to be 2 jets at a time. And the variant may be either the Su-34NVO or the Su-34M.


Reportedly Russia is finishing development on a longer-ranged variant of the UMPK gliding bomb kit.


And a longer range variant of the LMUR Kh-39 with a range now over 20 kms.


Forpost-RU production continues, and it apparently has been added to carry EW.


Meanwhile a Russian Orion-S crashed in Taganrog. Given the location it's likely part of the war effort.


An interesting piece on Russian Shahed drone production.


During a recent visit to the plant we got a photo of a Shahed variant with a EO seeker head.


The 20th Be-200 was produced recently. They're being exported in Algeria. Future domestic orders are likely pending the PD-8 engine.


Pantsyr-S deliveries continue. We rarely get information on Russian SAM production with this war, and I'm curious about the variant produced. There's also no word on quantities.


The Mi-34 flies with the new VK-650 engine. Russian engine development is one of the issues with Russian light helos and light planes.

 

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
Some recent Russian aviaton news...
The Russian government will allocate more than 12,5 billion rubles from the federal budget in the next three years for the improvement of the IL-114-300 aircraft.
More than 12.5 billion roubles will be allocated for the improvement of the IL-114-300 aircraft in 2025-2027 – RuAviation


Red Wings will start operations with their 21st SSJ-100 soon.
The twenty-first SSJ100 joins the Red Wings fleet – RuAviation


The Tu-214LL aircraft, after carrying out work to replace imported components with Russian analogues, made its first flight at the airfield of the S.P. Gorbunov Kazan Aviation Plant

The replacement of imported components affected 15 major and about 30 minor systems of the aircraft. Among the replaced components are computing devices, ground proximity warning and mid-air collision warning systems, as well as on-board radar systems. The modernisation also included improvements to the lighting and electrical systems, the hydraulic system and the integrated control system.
Tests of Russian systems and equipment began on the Tu-214 flying laboratory – RuAviation
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group

This video shown the huge difficulty for Russia to rebuild commercial airliner industries, especially now with the need for domestication. The problem always lies in industrial supply chains. They need to replace the parts suppliers from Western ones, with domestic perhaps with some additional parts from China and India.

MC-21 actually in paper is quite advance design, but building supply chains especially Putin's wants to build it ASAP for domestication, will be daunting tasks. USSR supply chains is being neglected for this last three decades. Will not be easy for Russia to rebuild it again with targeted time lines only in few years.

Still they need to rebuild it, as Russia so far only build industrial chains for military aviation and neglecting civilian ones. They should begin the drive for domestication after 2014 and not only after 2022. It is not just to change parts in SSJ-100, MC-21, and some in Tu-214 and IL-114, but they have to change parts on PD-8, PD-14 and PD-35.

PS-90A for TU-214 and IL-96-400 will be stop gap for domestic airliners, but the future for Russian Commercial airliners are SSJ-100 and MC-21. Thus means also make sure domestication of PD-8 and PD-14 has to happen simultaneously, as they also still use some Western components.

They should work to build Commercial Aviation Industrial supply chain with China. Both of them should now realise, they are increasingly in same boats. China should understand they should begin to have 2 separate version of C-909, C-919 and later on C-929. One with Western parts, other with Chinese and perhaps Russian parts.

Frankly speaking for me, I belive the sake of Global Commercial aviation industry is better with the emergence of China-Russia industrial supply chains . Rather then the commercial aviation industries always being dictates by Duopoly whims.


This is desperate moves to keep current Airbus and Boeing in the Russian Commercial fleets on flyable conditions. However I don't believe it Will be sustainable for longer period. Several years perhaps, but not after next decade. There're limitations to service A350, A330, 777 even A320 and 737 with unsanctioned factory parts. It is dangerous to be maintained for longer period.

They have no choices to increase domestication of parts for their own planes soon. Whatever the results of the war, they and West allready practically burn the bridges.
 
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