Mi-8

This article is about the helicopter. For the codebreaking organisation named MI-8, see Black Chamber .

The Mil Mi-8 ( NATO Reporting Name "Hip") is a large twin-turbine transport Helicopter that can also act as a Gunship . The first single-engine (AI-24W) prototype, W-8, flew in 9 July 1961 . Second one with two AI-24W engines made its first flight on 17 September 1962 . After few changes it was introduced into the Soviet Air Force by 1967 as Mi-8. There are numerous variants, including the '''Mi-8T''' which in addition to carrying twenty four soldiers is also armed with rockets and Anti-tank Guided Missile s. The navalized Mil Mi-14 , and attack Mi-24 are derived from the Mi-8.

The Mi-8 is used by over 50 countries, including India , China and Iran ; the latest variant, known as the Mi-8MT/ Mi-17 is more heavily armed and was introduced in 1981 . The Mi-17 is less widely used, employed by around 20 countries.

VARIANTS

V-8 Hip-A - The original single-engined prototype.

Mi-8 Hip-B - Twin-engined prototype.

Mi-8AMT

Mi-8AMTSh Terminator - attack version with armored cabin, remote-controlled machine gun turret in the rear, six weapon Hardpoint s, capability for carrying guided air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles

Mi-8AT - Civilian transport version, with upgraded engines.

Mi-8ATS - Argicultural version.

Mi-8K - Artillery observation version.

Mi-8MA - Polar exploration version for use in the Arctic.

Mi-8MB - Military ambulance version.

Mi-8MPS - Search and resuce version. ''(usually in Malaysia for Fire and Rescue Department services)''

Mi-8MT Hip-H - Mi-8T with larger engines, different transmission, rotor system, and upgraded fuselage. See Mi-17 .

Mi-8MTV - High altitude version with a pressurised cabin.

Mi-8P Hip-C - Civilian passenger transport version.

Mi-8PD - Airborne command post version for the Polish armed forces.

Mi-8PPA Hip-K - Electronic warfare and active jamming version. Export version only.

Mi-8PS Hip-D : Radio relay and command post version.

Mi-8R - Reconnassance version.

Mi-8S Salon - Civilian VIP transport version.

Mi-8SMV Hip-J - Communications jamming version for protection of ground attack aircraft against enemy air defenses.

Mi-8T Hip-C - Civil and military utility transport version.

Mi-8TB Hip-E - Armed assault transport version.

Mi-8TBK Hip-F - Export version of the Mi-8TB.

Mi-8TG Hip-C - Conversion to operate on LPG gas.

Mi-8TL - Air accident investigation version.

Mi-8TM - Upgraded passenger transport version.

Mi-8TPS - Airborne communications and command post.

Mi-8TV - Armed assult transport version, with external hardpoints for bombs or unguided rockets

Mi-8 VIP - VIP transport version.

Mi-8VKP ('''Mi-8VzPU''') - Mi-8T field-converted into an airborne command post. Nato code-name '''Hip-G'''.

Mi-9 ('''Mi-8IV''') - Airborne command post with additional antennae and Doppler Radar . Nato code-name '''Hip-G'''.

Mi-19 - airborne command post for tank and Motorized Infantry commanders based on Mi-8MT

Mi-19R - airborne command post based on Mi-19 for commanders of Rocket Artillery

SPECIFICATIONS (MIL 8-T)

	plane Or Copter	copter
	jet Or Prop	prop
	<!-- Now, Fill Out The Specs Please Include Units Where Appropriate (main Comes First, Alt In Parentheses) If An Item Doesn't Apply, Like Capacity, Leave It Blank For Instructions On Using more General	, more performance=, power original=, and thrust original= see -->
	crew	Three &ndash two pilots and one engineer
	capacity	24 passengers or 3,000 kg (6,600 lb) on internal/external hardpoints
	length Main	182 m
	length Alt	59 ft 8 in
	span Main	213 m
	span Alt	69 ft 11 in
	height Main	300 m
	height Alt	9 ft 10 in
	area Main	356 m&²
	area Alt	3,830 ft&²
	empty Weight Main	6,990 kg
	empty Weight Alt	15,410 lb
	loaded Weight Main	11,100 kg
	loaded Weight Alt	24,500 lb
	max Takeoff Weight Main	12,000 kg
	max Takeoff Weight Alt	26,500 lb
	engine (prop)	Klimov TV2 -117
	type Of Prop	Turboshaft s
	number Of Props	2
	power Main	1,105 kW
	power Alt	1,482 shp
	max Speed Main	250 km/h
	max Speed Alt	156 mph
	range Main	450 km
	range Alt	280 mi
	ceiling Main	4,500 m
	ceiling Alt	14,760 ft
	climb Rate Main	9 m/s
	climb Rate Alt	1,770 ft/min

Operators

Afghanistan , Albania , Algeria , Angola , Anguilla , Azerbaijan , Belarus , Bangladesh , Bhutan , Bosnia-Herzegovina , Bulgaria , Burkina Faso , Cambodia , China , Croatia , Cuba , Czech Republic , Djibouti , East Germany , Egypt , Estonia , Ethiopia , Finland , Georgia , Guinea-Bissau , Hungary , India (''largest operator after Russia''), Iraq , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , Laos , Libya , Lithuania , Latvia , Madagascar , Malaysia ''(fire and rescue services version)'', Maldives , Mali , Moldova , Mongolia , Mozambique , Nicaragua , North Korea , Pakistan , Peru , Poland , Romania , Russia , Slovakia , Somalia , Sudan , Syria , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan , Uganda , Ukraine , Uzbekistan , Venezuela , Vietnam , Yemen , Yugoslavia , Zambia

Civil Operators

Aeroflot

Information About

Mi-8