The Mi-26T2 Helicopter Transport Modification for Large-Sized Loads Transportation

Aeronautical and Space-Rocket Engineering


Аuthors

Artamonov B. L.*, Sinyaev A. E.**

Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University), 4, Volokolamskoe shosse, Moscow, А-80, GSP-3, 125993, Russia

*e-mail: ABL-6124554@yandex.ru
**e-mail: sinyayev86@mail.ru

Abstract

Analysis of the domestic armed forces reforming concept has revealed a significant increase in the wheeled vehicles nomenclature. The wheeled armored vehicles cease to be just a tool for delivering rifleman to the battlefield. Modern wheeled combat platforms represent a universal set of tools at the brigade-division level. However, the size and weight of wheeled vehicles exceed the similar parameters of tracked vehicles. This fact hinders it quick redeployment by the existing park of transport helicopters.
The main transport helicopter employed by the Armed Forces of Russian Federation for the equipment transportation is the Mi-26 and its modification Mi-26T2. It represents a single-rotor helicopter with the eight-blade main rotor and five-blade steering propeller, designed for transportation of cargoes weighing up to 20000 kg in the cargo cabin and on the external suspension, or 60-70 passengers. The Mi-26T2 helicopter is distinguished by the high weight perfection (kwp = 0.53), reliability and powerful D-136-2 engines (Ntakeoff = 2 × 11400 hp). It can perform flights at any time of day both according to the regulations of instrument flight and visual flight regulations, as well as operate in various climatic zones and complicated weather conditions at temperatures from –40°С to +50ºС.
The article deals with the layout forming a new transport modification of the Mi-26T2 helicopter, designed for transportation of the large-size cargoes. The authors propose to develop a new option of the fuselage which central part represents an open cargo platform for transportation of the large-size nomenclature of wheeled and tracked vehicles or containers. The front part of the platform is attached to the nose part of the fuselage, and the rear part is attached to the main landing gear struts of truss construction, which are fixed to the fuselage. The carrier system, power plant and transmission of the Mi-26T2 helicopter in the new modification remain unchanged. The fuel tanks are inside the fuselage.
The authors proposed a technique for the of fuselage harmful resistance estimation of the new helicopter modification, based on the analysis of statistical data of the Zhukovsky Central Aeronautical Research Institute on the fuselages resistance of helicopters of various weight-lift abilities and rotor hubs of different schemes. It is demonstrated that drag of the proposed modification of Mi-26T2 helicopter should not exceed СxS  12,9 m2.
The article describes the mathematical model of the single-rotor scheme helicopter appearance forming oriented on its performing the two-stage transport operation. Verification of algorithms of weight and aerodynamic modules of the program was performed by comparing the results of hourly and kilometer fuel consumption computing with flight test data of the Mi-26T2 helicopter.
The authors analyzed nomenclature of the eight typical large-size military oriented cargoes. It is demonstrated that operational transportation by the new helicopter modification of large-size cargoes with the mass up to 10000 kg can be ensured within 290 km, and with the mass up to 19000 kg within 245 km at the same helicopter loading in both directions.

Keywords:

single-rotor helicopter, large-sized cargo, two-stage transport operation, mathematical model of weight and aerodynamic computation, helicopter layout

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