military and civilian guises.
Designation: Mil Mi-8 (Hip)
Classification Type: Multi-role Helicopter
Contractor: Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant - Soviet Union
Country of Origin: Soviet Union
Initial Year of Service: 1967
Number Built: 12,500
Numbering well over 12,000 production examples, the Mil Mi-8 (NATO reporting
name of "Hip") can be viewed as one of the most successful helicopter
designs of all time. It has seen use as a passenger transport, troop
transport, vip transport, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, assault,
artillery spotter and airborne command post throughout its tenure with the
various nations that have purchased the aircraft. Even today, the Mi-8
remains in use as an operational-level instrument in many of the air forces
and army groups that have seen value in the type. As of this writing,
production continues despite some 42 years since the first Mi-8 rolled off
of the assembly lines at the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant - then under the
Soviet banner.
The Mi-8 was developed as a replacement for the Mi-4 "Hound", a
piston-engined transport helicopter appearing in 1953 that could seat up to
fourteen personnel. Utilizing some of the successful internal workings of
the Mi-4, the new Mil design featured a single Soloviev turboshaft engine of
2,700 shaft horsepower mated to an all-new enlarged fuselage. The prototype
took on the name of Mi-8 ("Hip-A") and achieved first flight on July 9th,
1961. Follow-up developmental testing soon revealed the design to lack in
power and, as such, the single engine idea was dropped in favor of a
twin-engined design featuring two Isotov TV2 turboshaft engines. A
five-blade main rotor was also used in this revision which produced the
second prototype, first flying on September 17th, 1962. Minor revisions
followed and the Mi-8 was fully introduced in Soviet Air Force service
sometime in 1967. The initial production versions all fell under the NATO
designation of "Hip-C" and constituted the base militarized model and a
civilian model (noted for its square windows instead of round). Since then,
the Hip series has been expanded to include a plethora of upgraded and
specially-designed versions.
Externally, the Mi-8 maintains a most utilitarian look about her. She sports
a low-slung front crew area with extensive glazing that offers up excellent
views from the cockpit. Immediately to the cockpit's rear is the spacious
crew cabin with side-mounted sliding doors. On most versions, the tricycle
undercarriage is static (one such Hip offered a retractable undercarriage)
which adds to the types distinct look. Two engines are mounted above and to
the rear of the crew cabin area and power a large five-blade main rotor
system. The empennage is also a distinct feature of this rotorcraft as it
sits high in the design and sports a single vertical tail fin, horizontal
plane and a three-blade tail rotor mounted to the starboard side (the
similar Mi-17 mounts the tail rotor to port). A modified Hip system features
a rear-loading ramp. The crew consists of a pilot, co-pilot and a
loadmaster.
Performance specifications of the common Mil Mi-8T "Hip-C" model are
provided for by the twin Klimov-brand TV3-117Mt turboshaft engines
generating up to 1,950 shaft horsepower each. Speeds top off at 260
kilometers per hour while a maximum range of 280 miles is possible. A ferry
range of 596 miles is noted as is a service ceiling of 14,765 feet.
When armed, the Hip can sport a variety of mission-specific munitions. This
includes the use of anti-tank missiles on outrigger pylons, rocket pods and
even drop bombs. Self-defense can be handled by a side-mounted PK machine
gun or equivalent. One particular Hip model mounted a 12.7mm machine gun in
the nose for increased lethality. With the Hip being a multi-role type
helicopter system capable of up to 3,300lbs of armament, it can mount
virtually any approved ordnance package that the operator needs for a
particular mission.
Operators of the Mi-8 cover the world over and appear in both militarized
and civilian guises. 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. The American-based
contracting group, Blackwater USA, used the type as well.
Anyway you look at it, the expansive reach of this system has ensured an
excellent legacy for the machine. Despite newer and more technologically
advanced systems since the inception of the Mi-8, the Hip continues to serve
in many frontline units across the globe. It is expected that the helicopter
will continued to do so for many more years to come.
Variants
V-8 ("Hip-A") - Single-Engine Prototype
V-8A - Twin-Engine Prototype; fitted with TV2-117 series turboshaft engines.
V-8AT - Mi-8T Utility Prototype
Mi-8 ("Hip-B") - Twin-Engine Prototype
Mi-8TG - Converted LPG gas-capable Mi-8
Mi-18 - Prototype based on Mi-8; lengthened fuselage; sliding starboard-side
door added; retractable undercarriage.
Mi-8T ("Hip-C") - Initial quantitative production model; provision for 4 x
UV-16-57 rocket pods; side-facing PK machine gun.
Mi-8TV - Armed version based on the Mi-8T model.
Mi-8TVK / Mi-8TB ("Hip-E") - Gunship Variant; provision for 6 x UV-32-57
rocket pods, 4 x AT-2 "Swatter" anti-tank missiles and 2 x 551lb drop bombs;
KV-4 machine gun fitted to nose.
Mi-8TBK ("Hip-F") - Gunship Export Model; provision for 6 x Malyutka
anti-tank missiles.
Mi-8IV ("Hip-G") - Utility transport; provision for 4 x UV-16-57 rocket
pods; side-facing PK-machine gun.
Mi-9 - Export version of the Mi-8IV model.
Mi-8PPA ("Hip-K") - Export Electronic Warfare / Airborne Command Post;
fitted with 6 antenna structures.
Mi-8PD - Polish Airborne Command Post
Mi-8PS / Mi-8TPS ("Hip-D") - Command Post / Communications Platform.
Mi-8SMV ("Hip-J") - Airborne Jamming Platform
Mi-8VPK / Mi-8VZPU ("Hip-D") - Airborne Communications Platform.
Mi-8AMT - Unarmed Transport
Mi-8AMT(Sh) - Based on the Mi-8MTV; fitted with electro-optic sight and
radar system; armed or unarmed version.
Mi-8AV - Minelayer
Mi-8VT - Mine Clearer
Mi-8MB - MedEvac Version
Mi-8MTO - Night Attack Model
Mi-8R - Reconnaissance Platform
Mi-8K - Reconnaissance / Artillery Observation Platform.
Mi-8PT - Staff Transport; improved communications suite.
Mi-8SKA - Photo-Reconnaissance Platform
Mi-8T(K) - Photo-Reconnaissance Platform
Mi-8TZ - Fuel Transport
Mi-8T ("Hip-C") - Utility Transport; seating for 24; fitted with 2 x Klimov
TV2-117A turboshaft engines of 1,677 shaft horsepower each.
Mi-8P - Civilian Transport; seating for up to 32; in-flight galley and
restroom facilities.
Mi-8S "Salon" - Civilian VIP Transport; seating for up to 11; in-flight
galley and toilet facilities.
Mi-8M - Russian Service Designation for similar Mi-17 "Hip".
Mi-8MPS - Search and Rescue (SAR) Variant
Mi-8MA - Cold Weather Exploration Variant
Mi-8MT - Aerial Crane Variant
Mi-8MTV - Improved "hot and high" model; fitted with TV3-117VM turboshaft
engines.
Mi-8AT - Civilian Transport; fitted with revised and improved TV2-117AG
series turboshaft engines.
Mi-8ATS - Agricultural Sprayer
Mi-8TL - Accident Investigation Model
Mi-8TM - Transport Model; fitted with weather radar.
Mi-8TS - Hot Weather Variant
Mi-8VIP - Luxury VIP Transport; seating for up to 9.
Mi-8PA - Heavy Material Transport; single production examples used by Japan.
Mi-171 - Ulan-Ude export equivalent of the Mi-8AMT.
Mi-172 - Kazan export equivalent of the Mi-8AMT.
Mi-8MTV-3 - Kazan export equivalent of the Mi-8AMT.
Mi-17 ("Hip") - Developed from the Mi-8; known as the Mi-8M in Russian
service; tail rotor mounted to port-side; fitted with TV3-117MT engines,
larger rotor and transmission.
Mi-17MD - Kazan-developed Mi-8 with rear ramp and dolphin-nose housing
radar.
Mi-17KF - Kazan-developed Mi-8 with Western-type electronics suite.
Specifications for the Mil-Mi-8T (Hip-C)
Dimensions:
Length: 59.61ft (18.17m)
Width: 69.85ft (21.29m)
Height: 18.24ft (5.56m)
Performance: About MACH
Max Speed: 162mph (260kmh; 140kts)
Max Range: 280miles (450km)
Rate-of-Climb:0ft/min (0m/min)
Service Ceiling: 14,764ft (4,500m; 2.8miles)
Structure:
Accommodation: 3
Hardpoints: 6
Empty Weight: 16,006lbs (7,260kg)
MTOW: 26,455lbs (12,000kg)
Powerplant:
Engine(s): 2 x Klimov TV3-117Mt turboshaft engines developing 1,950 shaft
horsepower each and drivign a five-blade main rotor and three-blade tail
rotor.
Armament Suite:
Up to 6 x Hardpoints for rocket pods, anti-tank missiles and bombs. Ordnance
can include a combination of the following:
UV-16-57 rocket pods (S-5 rockets)
UV-32-57 rocket pods
AT-2 "Swatter" anti-tank missiles
AT-3 "Sagger" anti-tank missiles
9M17 Phalanga anti-tank missiles
Nose-Mounted KV-4 12.7mm machine gun
Mine Dispensers
551lb drop bombs
Side-Mounted PK machine gun(s)
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