A Soviet transport military helicopter Mi – 8. Designed by M. Mil in 1960

A Soviet transport military helicopter Mi – 8. Designed by M. Mil in 1960. Load – 4000 kg, crew – 3, armament – NAR UB16 outboard blocks, speed – 260 km/h, ceiling – 4500 m, flight range – 480 km, two engines, each engine power – 1500 HP.

The Mil Mi-8 (NATO reporting name: Hip) is a medium twin-turbine helicopter, originally designed by the Soviet Union in the 1960s and introduced into the Soviet Air Force in 1968. It is now produced by Russia.

In addition to its most common role as a transport helicopter, the Mi-8 is also used as an airborne command post, armed gunship, and reconnaissance platform.

Along with the related, more powerful Mil Mi-17, the Mi-8 is among the world’s most-produced helicopters, used by over 50 countries. As of 2015, when combined the two helicopters are the third most common operational military aircraft in the world.

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