The Mi-8 variants have gained the admiration of many helicopter manufacturers around the world for their superior flying ability, high reliability

Introduce

The Mi-8 Hip is a medium-lift helicopter that can accommodate a significant number of passengers or cargo. Its large cabin space allows for various configurations, making it suitable for multiple roles, including troop transport, search and rescue, medical evacuation, airborne command post, and cargo transport. It can also be equipped with various weapons systems for combat operations, such as machine guns, rockets, and anti-tank missiles.

The helicopter’s robust design and reliable performance have made it popular among both military and civilian operators. It has been utilized in numerous conflicts and operations worldwide and has proven its capabilities in different environments and climates. The Mi-8 has demonstrated its reliability and adaptability in both civilian and military roles, contributing to its widespread use and recognition.

Overall, the Mil Mi-8 Hip’s versatility, ruggedness, and long service history have solidified its position as one of the most popular and widely employed military helicopters globally.

More than a half century has passed since its first takeoff, the legendary Mil Mi-8 multi-role helicopter has not shown signs of being allowed to retire after so many years of active service. The Mil Mi-8, also known as the HIP, is a medium twin-turbine helicopter, developed by the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant in the late 1950s of the last century. At the time, Mil Moscow’s own engineers probably did not think that their “brainchild” would live so long.

The concept of a new helicopter appeared in the late 1950s, to replace the successful Mil Mi-4. The new helicopter was completely redesigned with a newer turbine engine, combined with an all-new enlarged fuselage. On July 2, 1961, the prototype named V-8 had only a single 2,700-horsepower AI-24 Soloviev turboshaft engine made its first public flight on the “Soviet Aviation Day parade”.

Since that day, more than 17,000 Mi-8s and dozens of improved versions, including the Mi-17 export version, have been built continuously at the two plants Kazan and Ulan-Ude. That made the Mi-8 one of the most produced helicopters in the world, and production continues today.

Apart from the Soviet Union, later Russia, Mi-8 helicopters were exported to about 79 countries around the world. It is estimated that there are still about 50 countries in use, and there are signs of a slight increase. There are many pro-American countries that are gradually turning to using Mi-8 and its improved generations. Simple, versatile, reliable and easy to maintain, that’s what people say about the Mi-8 and no one can argue with that.

Design of Mi-8

The Mil Mi-8 design emphasizes its multi-role capabilities. In addition to the most common role as a transport helicopter, the Mi-8 is also used as an airborne command post, armed gunship, and reconnaissance platform. In appearance, the Mil Mi-8 is designed to be quite practical. The 3-men crew, including the pilot, co-pilot and flight engineer, seat in the cockpit at the front.

The cockpit is almost entirely glass, providing great visibility for the crew. Just behind the cockpit is the passenger cabin area. The cabin is spacious, personnel access through side sliding doors. The undercarriage is a fixed tricycle landing gear, two single-wheel at the fuselage and a single two-wheel under the nose.

Mi-8 has a length of 18.17m (59 ft 7 in), the main rotor diameter is 21.29m (69 ft 10 in). The empty weight is 7.26 tons (16,006 lb) and the maximum takeoff weight is 13 tons (28,660 lb).

The empennage of the Mi-8 is set high, featuring a single vertical tail fin, two horizontal planes and a three-blade tail rotor on the starboard side. Later versions of the Mi-8 added a rear ramp to facilitate the loading of military equipment and supplies.

Mi-8 Hip Powerplant

The final version of Mi-8 has finally been equipped with a second engine to increase reliability and improve performance. Two Klimov TV3-117Mt turboshaft engines are mounted above and behind the cockpit, powering the large five-blade main rotor system. Each engine produces 1,950 horsepower.

Mi-8 can reach a maximum speed of 260 km/h (160 mph), a cruise speed of 230 km/h (140 mph). The range of the helicopter is 610 km (330 nmi), the ferry range is 960 km (520 nmi) and the service ceiling is 4,500 m (14,800 ft).

Armament of Mi-8 Hip

As a transport helicopter, the Mi-8 can carry up to 24 fully armed soldiers. The empennage can be used to hang light military vehicles and ammunition. Mi-8 can be used for rescue operations on land or at sea with an electric winch. Mi-8 also appears in many other variants.

On the Mi-8TV armed versions, the fuselage of the Mi-8 helicopter is equipped with two additional stub wings with a total of 6 hard points, allowing the deployment of a variety of ωєαρσиs including 57 mm S-5 rockets, bombs, or 9M17 Phalanga ATGMs and one or two side-mounted PK machine guns.

There are also dozens of other mi-8 versions like VIP transport, electronic ωαяfare, reconnaissance, etc.

Mil Moscow is also developing a next-generation helicopter called the Mi-38, intended to replace Mi-8 and Mi-17, but until then, the Mi-8 will remain in service for a long time.

Mil Mi-8 Operators

The Mi-8 variants have gained the admiration of many helicopter manufacturers around the world for their superior flying ability, high reliability, and operability in various weather conditions, as well as easy to operate and maintain. Russian Mi-8s have been exported to more than 100 countries around the world, and set a record of about 100 million flight hours, something that all other helicopters crave.

During decades of operation, the Mi-8 has been involved in dozens of conflicts around the world. Prominent military operators include Russia, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Georgia, Hungary, India, Iran and Serbia.

Notable operators also include the United States, which featured the type with their 6th Special Operations Squadron for training purposes. However, during its operation, Mi-8 helicopters also had many accidents, including fatal accidents. It can be said that the Mi-8 and Mi-17 are Russia’s “golden helicopters” when they are available around the world.