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Mil Mi-2

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Mi-2
Mi-2 of the Polish Air Force
General information
TypeUtility helicopter
DesignerMil Moscow Helicopter Plant
Built byPZL-Świdnik
StatusIn service
Primary usersSoviet Air Force (historical)
Number built5,497[1]
History
Manufactured1965-1998[1]
Introduction date1965
First flight22 September 1961
Developed fromMil Mi-1
VariantsPZL Kania

The Mil Mi-2 (NATO reporting name Hoplite) is a small, three rotor blade Soviet-designed multi-purpose helicopter developed by the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant, designed in the early 1960s and produced exclusively by WSK "PZL-Świdnik" in Poland. Nearly 5,500 were made by the time production stopped in 1999, and it remains in service globally.

Design and development

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The Mi-2 was produced exclusively in Poland, in the WSK PZL-Świdnik factory in Świdnik.

The first production helicopter in the Soviet Union was the Mil Mi-1, modelled along the lines of the S-51 and Bristol Sycamore and flown by Mikhail Mil's bureau in September 1948. During the 1950s it became evident, and confirmed by American and French development, that helicopters could be greatly improved with turbine engines. S. P. Isotov developed the GTD-350 engine and Mil used two of these in the far superior Mi-2.

The twin shaft-turbine engines used in the Mi-2 develop 40% more power than the Mi-1's piston engines, for barely half the engine weight, with the result that the payload was more than doubled. The Mi-2 fuselage was extensively altered from its predecessor, with the engines mounted overhead. However, the external dimensions remained similar.

The Mil-built prototype first flew in the Soviet Union on 22 September 1961, after the initial development the project was transferred to Poland in 1964. The first Świdnik-built example flew on 4 November 1965; this was the only Soviet-designed helicopter to be built solely outside the Soviet Union. PZL-Świdnik produced a total of 5,497 helicopters, about a third for military users. The factory also developed fiberglass rotor blades, and developed the wide-body Mi-2M seating 10 passengers instead of eight. Most typical role-change kits include four stretchers for air ambulance usage, or aerospraying or cropdusting applications.

In Poland, several specialized military variants were also developed in early 1970s for support or training roles, with 23 mm autocannon, machine guns and/or two 57 mm rocket pods, four 9K11 Malyutka anti-tank missiles or Strela-2 AA missiles.[2]

Operational history

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The Mi-2 was first introduced into the Soviet Air Force in 1965. The Mi-2 is used by mainly former Soviet and Eastern Bloc countries, although it was also purchased by the armed forces of Mexico and Myanmar.

Most of the armed Mi-2 variants were used by Poland. Some were also used by the former East Germany (with 7.62 mm machine gun and 57 mm unguided rocket armament only).[3]

North Korea still maintains a large active fleet of Mi-2s.[citation needed]

During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russian forces were recorded capturing three Mi-2 helicopters in Kherson International Airport.[4]

The helicopter is also used to spray agricultural chemicals by private owners in Ukraine. Two people were killed in a crash in 2021 near Zaive, in the region of Mykolaiv.[5] Another two people died in a crash of Kharkiv Air Force University (203rd Training Aviation Brigade) Mi-2 crash on 1.9.2024. [6]

Variants

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Mi-2Ch exhibited in Polish Aviation Museum
Mi-2 Plus air ambulance in Poland
Mi-2P exhibited in Polish Army Museum in Warsaw.
Mi-2MSB, Helicopter World Cup in Poland 2019
V-2
First prototype.
V-2V
Armament prototype.
Mi-2 Platan
Aerial minelayer version with 20 tube launchers on external pods and in left cab door, each for six or nine mines. 18 converted for Polish Army starting from 1989.[7]
Mi-2A
Mi-2B
Upgraded export version for the Middle East, fitted with improved systems and navigational aids.
Mi-2Ch Chekla
Chemical reconnaissance / smokescreen layer version.
Mi-2D Przełącznik
Aerial command post equipped with R-111 radio.
Mi-2FM
Survey version.
Mi-2P
Passenger / cargo version, with accommodation for 6 passengers.
Mi-2R
Agricultural version.
Mi-2RL
Land rescue/ambulance version.
Mi-2RM
Sea rescue version equipped with electric winch for two people and dropped rafts.
Mi-2Ro
Reconnaissance version equipped with cameras.
UMi-2Ro
Reconnaissance trainer version.
Mi-2RS Padalec ('Slowworm')
Chemical and biohazard reconnaissance version.
Mi-2S
Air ambulance version, equipped to carry four stretcher, plus an attendant.
Mi-2Sz
Dual-control training version.
Mi-2T
Cargo/utility version.
Mi-2U
Dual-control training version.
Mi-2US
Armed version fitted with a fixed 23mm NS-23 cannon, 4 x 7,62mm PKT machine gun pods and optional cabin PK machine gun. 30 built for Polish Army in 1972-73.[2] Similar without a cannon built for East Germany.[3]
Mi-2URN Żmija ('Viper')
Armed variant with a fixed 23mm NS-23 gun and two 16x57mm S-5 unguided rocket pods Mars-2. Optional 7,62mm PK machine gun window-mounted. 7 built for Polish Army in 1973 and 18 rebuilt from Mi-2US.[2] Similar without a cannon built for East Germany.[3]
Mi-2URP Salamandra ('Salamander')
Anti-tank variant, armed with 23mm NS-23 gun, optional window-mounted 7,62mm PK machine gun, and 4x AT-3 Sagger (9M14M Malutka) wire-guided missiles on external weapons racks and 4x additional missiles in the cargo compartment. Two rebuilt and 44 built for Polish Army in 1975-84.[2]
Mi-2URP-G Gniewosz ('Smooth snake')
Mi-2URP with additional 4x AA missiles Strzała-2 (Strela 2) in two Gad rocket launchers. Six rebuilt in 1988.[7]
Mi-2 Plus
Upgraded Mi-2 with uprated GTD-350W2 engines, all-composite rotor blades, new avionics and other modifications.
Mi-3
Planned Mi-2 derivative that lacked suitable engines for the program to continue.
Mi-2MSB or MSB-2 Nadia ('Hope')
Modernized by Motor Sich to passenger-transport version for the civil aviation.[8][9][10]
Mi-2MSB-V or MSB-2MO
Modernized by Motor Sich for Ukrainian Air Force.[11] Original engine replaced with AI-450M 465 hp (347 kW) engine, armed with rocket and machine gun pods, IR-jamming system and flares dispenser for defence against MANPADS.[12]

Operators

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Map with Mi-2 users in blue
 Algeria
 Armenia
 Azerbaijan
 Belarus
 Democratic Republic of the Congo
 Indonesia
 Libya
 Myanmar
 North Korea
 Peru
 South Korea
  • Total six, all in civilian companies. The Sky company (former Star Aerospace and also former Star Airline) has four; one borrowed, three bought. The companies Pearl Korea and Heliworld have one each.[21]
 Russia
 Senegal
 Syria
 Transnistria
 Ukraine
 United States

Former operators

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 Bulgaria
 Cuba
Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia
 Djibouti
 Estonia
 East Germany
 Germany
 Ghana
 Hungary
 Latvia
 Lithuania
 Liberia
 Mexico
 Mongolia
 Nicaragua
 Poland
A Polish Mi-2 on takeoff
A Mi-2 of the Polish Medical Air Rescue
 Russia
 Slovakia
 Ukraine
 Soviet Union
 Yugoslavia

Specifications (Mi-2T)

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3-view line drawing of the Mil Mi-2
3-view line drawing of the Mil Mi-2

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982–83[49]

General characteristics

  • Crew: One
  • Capacity: 8 passengers / 700 kg (1,543 lb) internal cargo / 800 kg (1,764 lb) external cargo
  • Length: 11.4 m (37 ft 5 in)
  • Height: 3.75 m (12 ft 4 in)
  • Empty weight: 2,372 kg (5,229 lb)
  • Gross weight: 3,550 kg (7,826 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 3,700 kg (8,157 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × PZL GTD-350P turboshaft engines, 300 kW (400 shp) each
  • Main rotor diameter: 14.5 m (47 ft 7 in)
  • Main rotor area: 165.15 m2 (1,777.7 sq ft)
  • Blade section: NACA 23012M[50]

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 200 km/h (120 mph, 110 kn)
  • Range: 440 km (270 mi, 240 nmi) (max internal fuel, no reserves)
  • Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,000 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 4.5 m/s (890 ft/min)
  • Disk loading: 22.41 kg/m2 (4.59 lb/sq ft)
  • Power/mass: 0.0806 kW/kg (0.0490 hp/lb)

See also

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Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

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  1. ^ a b Ми-2, "avia.cybernet.name"
  2. ^ a b c d Rochowicz 2021, p. 92-93.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Girke, Thomas; Bader, Georg (March–April 1999). "NRD-owskie Mi-2" [DDR's Mi-2]. Lotnictwo Wojskowe (in Polish). Vol. 2(5)/1999. Magnum-X. pp. 46–48.
  4. ^ "Russia Captured Three Of Ukraine's Smallest Helicopters. So Ukraine's Allies Sent Three Replacements". Forbes. 18 August 2022.
  5. ^ "2 killed in helicopter crash in Ukraine". 17 July 2021.
  6. ^ "Ukrainian Air Force Mi-2 of the 203rd Training Aviation Brigade crashed". 1 September 2024.
  7. ^ a b Rochowicz 2021, p. 97.
  8. ^ Il'yashenko, Matviy. "First flight of upgraded helicopter Mi-2MSB - Motor Sich". www.motorsich.com. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  9. ^ Il'yashenko, Matviy. "The Mi-2 upgraded helicopter passed an altitude of 7 thousand meters. - Motor Sich". www.motorsich.com. Archived from the original on 2016-10-05. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  10. ^ Karpenko, A.V. "Modernized helicopter Mi-2MSB (Ukraine)". bastion-karpenko.ru. Archived from the original on 2022-01-17. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  11. ^ "Ukrainian Military Helicopters - Modernization And Development Plans". Archived from the original on 2016-10-05. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  12. ^ "Mi-2MSB - Ukrainian Combat Variant Of The Mi-2 Helicopter". Defence24.com. October 2015.
  13. ^ a b c Hoyle and Farfad Flight International 10–16 December 2019, p. 33.
  14. ^ a b "World Air Forces 2022". Flightglobal. 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  15. ^ TEMPO Edisi 19-25 Maret 2007 (pp. 36-37)
  16. ^ ANGKASA No.07 Edisi April 2007 (p. 16)
  17. ^ a b Hoyle and Farfad Flight International 10–16 December 2019, p. 43.
  18. ^ a b Hoyle and Farfad Flight International 10–16 December 2019, p. 44.
  19. ^ Hoyle and Farfad Flight International 10–16 December 2019, p. 45.
  20. ^ Hoyle and Farfad Flight International 10–16 December 2019, p. 46.
  21. ^ "ATIS 항공기술정보시스템(need to manually type and search the aircraft model in "검색".)". Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  22. ^ Hoyle and Farfad Flight International 10–16 December 2019, pp. 47–48.
  23. ^ a b Hoyle and Farfad Flight International 10–16 December 2019, p. 48.
  24. ^ Hoyle and Farfad Flight International 10–16 December 2019, p. 50.
  25. ^ Hoyle and Farfad Flight International 10–16 December 2019, p. 52.
  26. ^ "ВМС отримали перший Мі-2МСБ. 08.02.2021". Archived from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  27. ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (15 February 2023). The Military Balance 2023 (1st ed.). Routledge. p. 204. ISBN 978-1032508955.
  28. ^ "United States Army Threat Systems Management Office (TSMO)". Angelfire. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  29. ^ "Operator Performance Labs". opl.uiowa.edu. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  30. ^ a b c d Studies, International Institute for Strategic (1999). The Military Balance 1999-2000. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-922425-8. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  31. ^ "Bulgarian (PZL-Swidnik) Mi-2". Demand media. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  32. ^ "Cuba Air Force Aircraft Types". aeroflight.co.uk. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  33. ^ "World Air Forces 2018". Flightglobal Insight. 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  34. ^ "Djibouti Air Force Aircraft Types". xairforces.net. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
  35. ^ "Mil Mi-2 datbase". helicopter-database.de. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  36. ^ "Polizei Mil Mi-2 (PZL-Swidnik)". Demand media. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  37. ^ "Hungary Police Aviation". aeroflight.co.uk. Archived from the original on 11 January 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  38. ^ "Hungary Police Mil Mi-2". Demand media. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  39. ^ "Lithuania - Air Force Mil Mi-2". jetphotos.net. Archived from the original on 8 May 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  40. ^ "Mexican Armada". aeroflight.co.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  41. ^ World Air Forces - Historical Listings Mongolia (MON) Archived 2012-09-05 at the Wayback Machine. worldairforces.com. Retrieved on 2013-08-27.
  42. ^ "World Air Forces 2013" (PDF). Flightglobal Insight. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  43. ^ a b c d International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) (2023). "The Military Balance 2023". The Military Balance.
  44. ^ a b c "Mi-2 Helicopter. History of Development". Archived from the original on 30 March 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  45. ^ Studies (IISS), The International Institute for Strategic (24 December 2021). The Military Balance 2014. Routledge. pp. 194−197. ISBN 978-1-000-67421-7. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  46. ^ "Mi-2 DataBase". helicopter-database.de. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  47. ^ "Aeroflot Mil Mi-2". jetphotos.net. Archived from the original on 28 June 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  48. ^ "Yugoslavian use of Mil Mi-2 in military and air ambulance use". Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  49. ^ Taylor 1982, pp. 169–170.
  50. ^ Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  • Hoyle, Craig and Fafard, Antoine. "World Air Forces Directory". Flight International, 10–16 December 2019, Volume 196, issue 5716. pp. 26–54.
  • Mondey, David, Encyclopedia of The World's Commercial and Private Aircraft. Crescent Books, New York NY, 1981. p. 245, "WSK-Swidnik Mi-2 Hoplite"
  • Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982–83. London: Jane's Yearbooks, 1982. ISBN 0 7106-0748-2.
  • Mi-2 DataBase Archived 2011-07-23 at the Wayback Machine
  • Mi-2 Photo Gallery Archived 2019-01-03 at the Wayback Machine
  • Rochowicz, Robert (November 2021). "Lotnictwo wojsk lądowych w ludowym Wojsku Polskim" [Ground forces' aviation in people's Polish Army]. Nowa Technika Wojskowa (in Polish). Vol. 4/2021. ISSN 1230-1655.
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