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USSR: Extending Lead in Heavy-Lift Aircraft
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USSR: Extending Lead in Heavy-Lift Aircraft
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USSR: Exta*4lBi lasdinAircraft
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dcyelocencQU indicate (Jut lhc SovieU ire Wending, iheir lead over tbe United Sutes Lo heavy-lift aircraft cspabilitj sod probably will
11iiiuc to do jo for tho forrstccablc future. Several evenu hifJiUghiIntent to develop end produce both heavy-lift transports andhcJJcopterj. In8 tbe Syviet* unveiled tbe world'sheaviest Iranspott aircraft, thenvco the NATO(sec figuren addition,
Soviets areew ulirn-heavy-Lift bxliccexer (UHLH) Out will further extend their lend over tbe United States ia heavy-lift helicopter load capacity (tee. Tbe Soviets are au restively seeking comincr-ojj nsarketi for theod we also expecttlorts for the UHLH.
robably will be the largest transport aircraft tbe Soviets will ever boild. An aircraft much larger than theould exceed the weight and sire limit* of most ofirfields andhe very difficult and expensive to"*build. maintain, and crpcrate
Tbes designed primshiy to carry ouisizod payloads atop its fuselage, including the Soviet space shuttle, com portents of the Energiya kteavy-lifi bossier, and) very large oil drilling and coeuirtxtion equipment. Tbeased on theondor design and uses many common components. We believe, therefore, that theill not have any significant technology advances over theight-testing of theomtTKOced inneas been builtecond is under construction. We assess that the Sovieu will build five toe'he firstill be in full operational service by the cod0
Soviet disclosures suggest theill not replace or significantly supplement thea the heavy airlift role Theayload capacityimes the capacily of the USSR'sondor and more than twice that of tbeB Galaxy. Theould be used to transport outsirod military equipment, but the small number of aircraft tbe Sovieu plan lo produce will limit iu utility for uaniporting significant numbers of time-critical military pnyloads. It is our judgment lhat theike theill not be usedaical role We believe the Soviets willpossibility of using theaunch platform for spacecraft
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of poor traniponaiioo lo remote area- of the USSR, the Sovietforw-tifi helienoteri ii much greater than Ihat ofthe Soviets arc developing a
UHLH capable of transportingguspendod payload of more thanetricthe capability of the Soviets' world-record-scttingalo and twoalf timet tbe capability of the USStallion. Wc believe (he new UHLH will be cxmfigtiredndcm-rc-tor configura.ioo lit,hinook and will use cuttingomponents
We believe the Sovicu willull-scale flight (est of the UHLH helicopter by the. The UHLH is within the Soma' technical capability, and. based oo t'-drraw-iif,limited nrndoctinnbed"
If-Vc expect that the Soviets will export several of these rrelitsjnters ownmcrciaHy or lease them, as they have dooe with tbcalo
The UHLH could reduce the Soviets' dependence on rail and roadway networks for cargo beyond tbcapability. Reportedly, onefor tbe UHLH was to support the construction of Siberian power planis and reactors. It also could be used to transport large missiles or missile components to remote areas within the USSR. For military purposes, the UHLH could ferry all surface combat vehicles. iDCludiosj tanks. However, Its size and speed make it vulnerable to attack while airborne. Wet the military role of the UHLH outside the USSR will be limitrx
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Contents
Key
Scope Note
Introduction
Soviet Heavy-Lift Transports
osssck
Conhgursboo
Appoosuoo.
Oiber Soviei Henry-lift Trnnspe-U
Cotnpsnsoo of Soviei and Western Transports
Soviet Heavy-Lift Hebcopters
New Ultra-Heavy-Lift Helicopter
Evidence for Dcvckipment
CcmfignrsUon
PotcntUl Applications Within tbe USSR
Other Soviet Heavy-Lift Hebcopters
Coeniarison of Soviet snd Western Helicopters
Outlook
Early Heavy-Lift Helicopters Developed by the Mil Design
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Jtrvn-m
Sco-USSRon- buiory ofirst-rate heavy-lift airaejl.
This paper review* ourof the capabilities aad matron rcquirc-rnenu for new Sovietomparitori wilb correnl Wcatem capabilities L
.
addition, the paper projects the probable intuit direction ol Soviet research and development for heavy-lift aircraft. This paper does not, however, address tho US and Soviet earaWlitle* when employing heavy-lift aircraflleet scenario
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Is
USSR: Extending lead io Heavy-Lift Aircrafl
Recent develcmmenu indicate that the Soviets are extend In* their lead over Use United States la Ihe cape bOity tonvy-lift aircraft. The Service* have recently unveiled their newest heavy-liftand have di*cn**cd the developrnent of an ultra -heavy-ait heLcopterWeHLHkcrr.crifting capacity exceedinfetriche controlling developrnent of sach aircrafl will greatly enhance Ibeapability to lift/transport ootsired cargo1 for both miliiary and diil applications. The Scrviet*ubstantial requirement for heavy-lift aircraft because of the country's terrain and poor ground transportation to renvoi? areas
Soviet Heavy-lift Transport*oaaaek
Theossack, unveiled on Moscow television inayload -carrying capability unmatched by any otber aircraft in the world. Tbenaiimum payload capacityetric tonsaximum takeoff weightetric loos. Thea designed to carry ou Hired payloads atop its fuselage, including ibe Soviet space shuttle, components of the Energiya heavy hftsod very large oil drilling and comttucoonTo facilitate the carriage of externalheeature* numerous payload attachment points slong th*lfnwjaee andll.lallasj ii |gg
JJ Theade it* first Western sppeatsncc si9 Paris Air Show andan aspect of iu design mission by dying to Parisoviet space shuttle "Brrca" mounted onr fuselsge (sec figure I)
' OutMiad cargo itlm to vrry keavy and/or bull) ravin-r
. untl. tract I. ilitr.filtd iU(>
During Ibe air show, tbe Soviets provided information oo the development and production schedule of thehe Soviets have stated that tho development of theegan5 and that iu Erst flight was inhey further sated thai only oneas been builtecond it under cottstructJoa. The Soviets plan lo place the first aircraft into operational service by Ihe endhis initial operaiional cap*baity (IOC) date agree* with our analysis
he design of thes stated by the Soviet designers, is based on that of theondor (the world's heaviest operational transport) and incorporates many of tbe same components (seend 3i. Because of this we believe that nearly all of theerns are common with those of tbe
Major simiUritie* between thend Ibeondor include:
Use of ibe Coodor fusel* jc with faseUge plugs1 fore and aft of ihe wing.
Attachment of Condor wings to the new center wing section.
Upward tilting visor-type nose cargo door.
Larrding gear configuration with csstercd struts: that Is, wheels swivel in the direction of theground turn.
landing gear "kneeling" capability, whichIhe angle of the loading ramps, facilitating the loading and unloading of long or bulky payloads.
igh-bypass lurbofan engine1
Cockpit layout and tnstrumeritatior
' FiivSige plup titreuoas c* ft-vUga tamed betwera titttlagawlaga
Major cUBoraca also einibendcene are Ine result ofecreate in tire.
wingspan and fuselage lenglb.
additional eriginea.
additional main landing gear ilrots. Otber cUfftrencet are atuibutablc to tbe mission of thehose include:
c rV.gr
rear cargo docs.
payload atuebmeet points atop the fuvlat-e
r
Ihea inv-nded for nnnmllitsrv uses within the Soviei lirvdmau-C^
^UnlnsiheAn-Ua/theontinuous upper deck extending from the cock-pi: to the aft section of the fuselage. Tbe two additional engines arc attached to the new center wing section, while the otber four engiaea arc at that tame tdttla-nIbe Condor wiag tectron ts found on the
AftJUailoas.tooov Design Bureau ia eager to canyayloa It on thendnd haaeparate organiralloo ipo-ciallring In the trantporutloo of commercial outalted
payicuvda. Tbe SovieU have esTered the artrtyac-carrying capabtljty of theocustomers and have rxutiated diacuatlona withibe transport of heavy and/or bulkyby Iheadoviet sUlementsParis Air Show inchest* that theillto tbe European Space Agency to carryin the near fulnre. The ScnioU probablyso aaertsarroly seek raarteU for tbeAn-IJS
In the future, thelso may be used as an airborne Uunch isUtfcm for atsa-sstrauA^
a spacecrsft weighing
up lo tbeaximum payload weight cculd be launched al an altitude alo one-fourth the coatonventional boosler launch.^
hey were working onrobably lhc Soviete Uuncbed from tbe top of the
OtWr So-let IseaTT-Ltft Triai|irtsi
TawreerrtseeruSewcapability and aircraftelopment of the CctarJx-begs* in itaecame operational in IHI. Il haa a
maximum payload capacity of ISO metric ton*aiimom takeoff pou weightetrichei able toly all type* of veiiiciei aodd by tbe Soviet Grounda well a* otber ou nixed cargo, which can be loaded through tbe viscrr-type note cargo door (the iu ii Soviet aircraft to equipped) or the rear cargo door. The aircraft it powered by four largeatio tnrbofanirst for Soviet aircraft. "The Coodoradimentary analog Sy-by-wire flight control lytlem'ccoaoical backup for rrlintsUity. The SovieU have produced at leaiteduction run ofircraft ia expected
We believe the Condor would be used primarilytrategic (vice ucticsl) role. Design details of thedch as the rear cargo door/ramp, indicate that theas not designed to airdrop heavy equipment and vehicles. The aircraft currently supple-menu and probably will eventuallytheock la the hesvy-lifi transport role
Theock was the only heavy-lift transport in tbe Soviet Inventory before tbe introduction of theondor. It was the world* largcat transport alrcraft when It entered servicene year
w-Ue Bightcmpatcr tctutet tcrediataik eontrcl nrttent tea-dim lo pilot Inmrl. Thr computer mta wiSitrd tircrtflditt fromeoari mined eonlreJ Un lo itj^oith ihe timid
before tbe. Thenasimiirn payload capacity co*etric tonsaiimum ukooff gross weightetric tons. Thes powered by four turboprop engines with cootrarotat-ingike the Coodor. the Cock is able to cany most of the vehicles and equipment used by the Soviet Groundut it can be loaded ooly through the uil. Development of the Cock began in thend, when production erasedotal ofad been produced.
Coaptritoo uf So-let and Western liuopord
Thet payload capability and estimated ferry range is imnttosety superior to the largest transport aircraft in the West, theB Galaxy (seen service wilh the US Air Forcehenvtewt canacity/^.
JlOO metric tons greater than theheas eempuraNe range/payioad perforrriance (eatimated) toB for intermediate payloads. butuch longer range with light and heavy payloads. This rangc/pay-toad comparison Is shown ia figureheas an Impressive capability to transport vehicles of the Soviet Grounds illustrated in figure 6
Excluding the considerable difference in size and tail configuration, theB have several similarities. Theseimilar wing design.
St>TSt<^"
u ade* tbeobject fuselage i
i csryo door. CMWMMl cargo bay Ladlanding far kneeling capability. Omdealt* difference, bo-crer. ia (bar, .askJear cargo door.ear cargo door that ta designed to be opened Lo Si|bl with the cenabitltv to airdrop cargo aad paiatroopen
ough tbe capabilities ol tbeorrre Im pieuive, the Cosssck pioba Ny "ill not be used for tbii role. We bebere tbc Condor will fulfill the Sovietccds. replacing tbey Um
Sovietift Heticoetm
Mew IJltra-lte* vy-Lift Heticopto Eiidemctjrr Dmiipmteut. In recent yean wc bare noted levcral iacucaiion* that lhc Sovicu wereHLH that could ram.saava SO rwgjrfcin*
Aa opca proa report5 referredoviet helicopter undcrgcang teats that would be capable of iraiauportiag load, ofetric tone oo an eatemal
Mil Drntgn"bureau war taUeeTlowin-rotor belter baaed oo ibealo rotor systemayload capability of over JO metric torn and probablyandem-rotorUke thai of the UShinook.
J tbe Mil Design Bureau we* desiajiing alarger than lhcalo. Thb UHLH willifting capacity ofartoetric tens
The lifting ca pact oes mentioned in the reporting vary betweenndetric loci This variation is meata* to tbc context ia whicheferenced The tame aebcopter that couldtnetric-toa loadautical mile, (am) nxighi0 to SO metric tons (For
helicopters luting the design rrvbaion payload capability, wfcv-sj we believe isoetric tons for ibe UHLH
The reporting on Ibe UHLH also indicated various lUges of development and differing produciion time rramcs. The Sovicu probably bave tnockups and wind-tunnel lest models for severaltetion<(_
The Mil
Design Bureau is the primary developer of Soviei heavy-lift beltcoptcrr
In addition to lb* open discussions by the Soviet designers, there have been other indications lhal the Soviets arcew UHLH:
Tb* first evtdeac thai the Sovietseqoire-meat forir.aJi became availableester* air show, the Soviet Deputy Ministeria lion made sUicmenu about ongoing UHLH research at Ibc Soviet Central Aerohydrodynarnics Institute (TsAOK
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probablyund em-rotor system (one fore aod oneooystems from IbeaceTfci> hybrid concept ii not aew for theonly urtdem-roior helicopter design,(developed, uied the nubgearbox, and eniinea from the Mi-4Iheai only marginallywai produced oaly la limited numbers, (heconimutd to research Undcm-rotor theorypublished resalMst books andRecent advances ia flight controlai fly-by-wire, as well as compositeprobably ledenewed interest Inhelicopter ifthe tandem-
rotor configurationmnv srivocatea wilhin Ihe Mil Design Bureau
the design payload of the UHLH wcu'dinimum rotor diameter of SOess practical than aa equivalent
capability ofmeter-diameter Undem rotors. Even though ihe technology is available, the Sovieuoior test cage required foreter-diameter rotor. Historically, they have notew rotor system without prior cage toting
Tbc Soviets ia the past also tried to useside rotor arrangement cat theorner, f* ecause it provided the epportoai-ty towin-rotor helicopter quickly. However, problemi in the drrvrlcssraeal program ledhe program's demise. One of these problems Ihat tbe Soviets are not likely to enercocne easily is prcprwor-wbirl-flutter, an aeroelastic1 phenomenon between the wiag and rotor systems (coupling of rotor and wing vibration modes leadingorcedor ihese reasons, we believe that the Soviet UHLHfaijti.-In. will ultimately utlllre Undent rotors.
1 AerwtMii.nr la tht eombiniOo* of saredinsavka tni luvctaral dyaaattes. It rtprtsrauiawlatoirmdriuHft sbsriy
ari*. 'HfhUHtlo,
AffiUmslcMtM Wltkln ike USSK. The new Soviet UHLH probably will have Ok capability to carry either cargo or troops internally, bat primarily wiB be ttacrlky crane. Because of terrain and poor Iraruporuiioo to remote areas of Ibe USSR, tbe SovietsrubsUntial requirement for heavy-lift
let: The UHUI could reduce tbe SovieU' Dependence on rail and roadwav setfor cargo beyond theapability
Sovietery Lot era ted in t
helicopter that can carry more thanetric tonaould be uied to ferry all surface combalncluding tanks, (bus greatly improving ground maneuverability. Several helicopter* could quickly transfer army uniu with artillery, armored troopnd Unitsrontline, rivers, or rnouaUias. However, becanacew UHLH arc eisectcd to be built and becaaac of tbeir vulnerabilityttack, their edTcctivcncua iaission would be liniited. More likely. UHLH would be used In iraniponation ofmlulle* or ir-'ail* com pone nti to romotein the USSR
^3one rcaaoa for the UHLH requirement was the conitruction of Siberian power pUnlt and reactor systems. Tbe hanh environment hid produced
serious difficulties la the reassembly of very bcavy piece* of asphiaticatrd equipment thai had been dlus-sembled for iblpmenl. These requirements were well beyondmetric-ton mis*ion payload capacity of thealo heavy-llfl belloopter
Other genial Henry-liftSovieU currently have theoatheavy liftHalo that enured productiont Theesign mialMnofetric ions, internally or slingand can transport moreroops. Forcapacity, theaa vertically lift, oaweighu approaching SO metric torn (toeAlthough theade aliftingetric tonsetersi* rarely used iti- dej-rrpay lout
Thei equippedrneter diameter. eight-bUded main rotor, ll ll powered by two Louhaii hortepower) lurbo-shaft engines. The cargo bold,early the
SerrtC
aaochit oi* Ibeicd-wirtgiictcnS met en wide, lod57 meters high (iceoading ii performed throughloading ruinp at thr rear of Ibe fuselage. To incchaniir cargo handling, lhcargo hold ia equipped unlit two rasctric winches oncargoes weighing upona lo be moved throughout the length of the bold Accordingonet brochure on ihet can be tsaed for contraction of bridges, transportation and mounting of heavy induitrial equipment, and erection ofand poweetiise* in remote inacccsaible regions (sec. Further use of theu noted during tha Chernobyl' nudear accidentll was used to apply chemicad diarxriants on top of the reactor. while- 'wratingighly comaminat-cd crrrirvivnwa* *
Its Nov am9 tbe Mil Design Bureau anrscwrjeed the development of an air crane variant of tbeo replace tbe aging fleet of Mi-IOK Harke B's. Allhough ihe air crane version will not have Increased
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-.
capacity over the conventionalf probably will have betterusing an external gooded*raneimprove preciseperationa. In addition to replacing theK, the modifiedould be used tosealed-down air crane technology ihat will be employed on tbe UHLH. We assess thai an air crane version of theould be produced in limited numbersarly versions ofhelicopters arc discussed in the appendix
Ceensssatsoa of Sovkl and Western Helienpteis The Soviets haveommanding lead in heavy-lift helicopters. Tbe roost powerful production US helicopter, theuper Stallion, was first producedt can carryetric tonsIJtons internally, or up toroops (see
In the, the United Statesrogram toHLH capable of carrying up toetricrototype of this helicopter, designated-as producedan-dem-rotor configuration (seehiswould hate surpassed the capabilities of the Soviet
he program, however, was caflccecd- Wc believe tbc Soviets wdlonfiguration similar to theor their UHLH and may use some of Ihe design specifications for ihehich are available in open-source literature
An example of tbe Soviet dominance in heavy-lift helicopters, and potentially int illnstrstod in figures Idission loilitary aircraflmoenparisoo Is made between the potential Soviet UHLH, thealo, and the USuper Stallion. The UHLH probably canomber-iired aircraft, such asmetriC-tonuilder; therobably can carry an interceptor, such asmetrio-tonosbound; and thecan carry an air superiority fighter, such as5 Eagle. Although these do notypical mission, it does highlightvjci advantage in helibornc heavy-lift capabilities
Ov*Voc*
Wc believe ihe Soviets win continue lo lead Ihe West in11ft aircraft camnbiu'ty. However, Iheybly will eol buildtnruport larger than Dmha*Hft cjspedty creater lhan aay other irsxiaport la the world, and an aircraft much larger -ould exceed ibe vcrigfat and Ore limit* erf moat oT> and would be very cbftculi and expensive lo builcL rnranuie, aod operate The Scviet* hare oornudered tbe de-eijpcneol of aa airsbsp lor ihe iraaaponepresent. The proposed aifuUp would3 feet In lengthifting capability cr*rsetric toes. Thia nirahip would be tarter lhan tbe
ut wiih lest payload capabilliy. ll would be rnore versatile, tsaving hovering capability thai would enable it to deliver ila cargo toarena not readily accessible to airfield.
Wa believe thein not replacen the heavy-airlift role.
lhiajuclgnmrtHb
Ihand the email number of aircraft Ute Sovieu plan to produce. Thekz tberobably -ill not be uedactical rale. Theackear cargo door negates ia-Gighi
ll
cargo citraction. and. according to tbe designers, in insuflidejit cargo hold pressurliatieo prcvcnu troop transport. Theould be used to transport ouuixed rnllitary equipment, but the small number to be produced would limit its utility for transrortingnumbers of time-critical military payloads.
Wc believe the Soviets will continue development of beavy-llfi'..icopteri. They hare excellent icconical knowledge and vast experience In developing first-rate hdicoptcrs, as wellccd.for aircraft with an ultra-beavy-lifi capabilit;
The SovieU probably will producemallof '"
J. ifoare built, existing belicoptci oompcoenU would be used bul that,arge number are built, then component;ompletely new deslan would he
d. f
mall number
Appendix
Early Heaty-UfI Hrrlicopler* DoTilopcd by tne Mil Design It
Sovieu' long history of developing henry-lift helicopter* bu teen centered al the Mil Design Burns a, which hai developexl some excellentThroe of the early Milredecessors to thealo, include theook,omer, and the Mi-IO Harke. figureho*v* views of these helicopter*
ook
Devrdceirnent of Iheook beganhis helicopter, which wu operationalis the Sovieu' primary heavy-lift helicopter before tbehes powered by twin torbosnafl engines5 shift horac-power) each al takeoff rating. It hasmaximum internal payload ofetric tonsaximum sling loadetric tons. The Hookaximum
ipeedigh cantilever wingpanJ meters offloads the main rotor byercent during cruise<ubs1antially increases ihe range performance
e
Theever put intothe world's largest rotor craft. Tbe Homer, designedaterally displaced rotor system mounted on the end of iu wings (similarill rotor in the helicopterhe Hornerixed-wing type of fuselage and bu the capacity to carryetric tons internally only. Three Homers were built, but, because of drive train component design problems andproblems, thewas short lived
MHO Hart.
Tnea aHook *lrfr*me that bas been ubaujitially modified, withipecUl quadricyclc laodicj gear added lo ladiilale (he movement of bulkj ecruiprnart. Developmenl beginnd thei otsmiiooalbe unique landing geareter ground clearance, grvrat thetutj lo laxi over rnott loads wiihoui going airborne. If (be platforoi bnrnutcn the landing gear ia aaed. (bertxwic-ico payload capeaij
The Mi-IMeajed versiou of the basic Harke ia leaded for iling-load operatiooj Thk icrsioo is equippedear-facing crane operalor'i roocksa. Thenoorporstea uprated HarkeF, turbcahaft0 ihailnaairnu.ro ilina-load capability ofetric loo*naxi-"tun grosa vertical takeoff weight ofetric torn.
Original document.
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