Russian Helicopters to showcase latest helicopters for South American markets

Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of Oboronprom, part of State Corporation Rostec and a leading global designer and manufacturer of helicopters, will bring a range of its latest models to LAAD Defence & Security, the aerospace show opening tomorrow and running through April 12 at Riocentro in Rio de Janeiro. The Russian Helicopters display can be found at stand C20 in pavilion 4.

Brazil is becoming a strategically important market for Russian Helicopters, primarily for civilian models for local helicopter operating companies. During Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff’s visit to Russia in December 2012 the first export contract was signed outlining the main parameters for deliveries of Russian-built Ka-62 helicopters to Atlas Táxi Aéreo. In total the Brazilian company will receive seven to fourteen of the new medium multirole Ka-62, an advanced helicopter that combines high standards of safety with low environmental impact and excellent fuel economy.

Atlas Táxi Aéreo already has Russian-built Mi-171A1s in its fleet. These helicopters serve Brazil’s burgeoning oil and gas sector: the Mi-171A1 won a tender held by national oil and gas giant Petrobras, and today is used as a transport helicopter in hard-to-reach areas of the Amazon rainforest. Brazil is expected to increase its fleet of these reliable and economical helicopters in future.

The Mi-171A1 is a member of the Mi-8/17 series, which is the world’s most popular helicopter with more than 12,000 produced. Russian Helicopters is now marketing the latest addition to the series – the updated medium multirole Mi-171A2 – to established and new partners around the world. The new model will be on show at the company’s stand at LAAD Defence & Security. It is the most advanced helicopter in its renowned family, combining the latest helicopter-construction technologies with all of the improvements accumulated over years of flying successful Mi-8/17 operation around the world.

Another Brazilian helicopter operator, Helipark Táxi Aéreo, already operates the coaxial Ka-32A11BC. First deliveries were completed in 2012, and now this helicopter is used by the Brazilian company to transport industrial cargoes on an external sling. Its uses go far beyond that, however – the Ka-32A11BC’s coaxial rotors give it a unique edge in hovering accuracy and maneuverability that is essential for highly complex construction work such as erecting power lines in remote areas. The Ka-32A11BC is also uniquely qualified as a fire-fighting helicopter that can tackle forest blazes using Bambi Buckets and conflagrations in high-rise buildings using horizontal water cannon.

The Ka-32A11BC acquired by Helipark Táxi Aéreo was a pilot project in expanding its model range, and was the first order for the model from a Brazilian operator. The Ka-32A11BC is known around the world as a reliable and safe multirole helicopter. Experts say that it can be highly effective for oil and gas companies too – not only can it carry out complex construction operations for infrastructure projects, but it can also be used for monitoring and for carrying repair teams and cargoes and for other missions.

On April 10 Russian Helicopters will host a conference on how Russian-built helicopters can help energy companies and the oil and gas sector in Brazil and the region.

Private and state companies from across South America are invited to the conference to hear about current and future models of Russian-built helicopters. These helicopters are indispensable in infrastructure operations for energy companies and the regional oil and gas sector, and can also be used in construction work, fire-fighting, search-and-rescue and other missions. The conference will take an in-depth look at the Ka-62 and Mi-171A2 development programmes and the opportunities for these helicopters in South and Central America. Case studies will be presented by Atlas Táxi Aéreo and Helipark Táxi Aéreo based on their experience of operating these helicopters.

There will also be a presentation of the Mi-26T/T2, the world’s heaviest-lift helicopter and the only one capable of carrying up to 20 tons of cargo either inside the fuselage or on an external sling – a world record for helicopters in serial production.

Helicopter operators from the region will also have the opportunity to discover the advanced after-sales maintenance offered as part of Russian Helicopters’s global service network.

The conference will take place in Hall 5 of Riocentro from 11am to 2pm local time.

At LAAD Defence & Security 2013, the Rosoboronexport stand will also showcase military helicopters. The multirole Mi-35M strike helicopter flies with the Brazilian Air Force; one of the Brazilian helicopters is planned to be on static display at the Rio exhibition. A demonstration is planned of the Mi171Sh, a military transport version of the Mi-8/17 that has been developed based on Russia’s extensive operating experience of military helicopters.

LAAD Defence & Security is held every two years and is a key exhibition in the region. The show has been held since 1997 with support from the Brazilian defence ministry.


Source: Rio de Janeiro, Russian Helicopters Aero News - 8 April 2013

Photo: The Brazilian Operator, Helipark Táxi Aéreo, Ka-32A11BC Helicopter (Photo by Files)


(8.04.2013)