Battle of Caving Banks

The Mil Mi-14 (Russian: Миль Ми-14, NATO reporting name: Haze) is a Soviet shore-based nuclear-capable amphibious anti-submarine helicopter derived from the earlier Mi-8.

Design and development

Formal development of an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) version of the Mil Mi-8 transport helicopter was authorised by the Soviet Communist Party Central Committee and Council of Ministers in April 1965, with the objective of replacing the Mil Mi-4 in the short-range, shore based anti-submarine role. The new helicopter was required to have an endurance of 2 hours on station at a radius of 222 kilometres (120 nmi; 138 mi) from base.[2]

The new design (with the internal designation V-14) differed from the Mi-8 in having a boat-like hull similar to the Sea King, allowing it to operate off the water, and a retractable four-point undercarriage,[N 1] with the mainwheels retracting into large sponsons on the rear of the fuselage. The helicopter was to be powered by two Klimov TV3-117MT turboshaft engines.[3] A watertight weapons bay is fitted to the centreline of the fuselage allowing internal carriage of a single torpedo or eight depth charges, while a radome housing a search radar is fitted beneath the nose.[3][4]

The Mi-14 has a crew of four: a pilot, a copilot, an onboard technician, and a weapon system operator. The Mi-14PL anti-submarine version is equipped with a radar, a dipping sonar and a magnetic anomaly detector.[1]

The first prototype V-14, converted from a Mi-8 and powered by the older and less powerful Klimov TV2-117 engines, flew on 1 August 1967.[3] Development was slowed by problems with the helicopter's avionics and due to reliability problems with the TV3-117 engines, with production at Kazan not starting until 1973, and the helicopter (now designated Mi-14) entering service on 11 May 1976.[3]

In January 2016, Russian Helicopters confirmed to Russian News Agency TASS that no final decision to revive production had been taken, but market demand, feasibility studies – including with Moscow's defence ministry – and funding sources were under review. The programme remains a “priority” for Russian Helicopters. The company suggested the Mi-14 would appeal to civil operators in Russia's far north and those supplying the oil and gas industry, alongside the nation's armed forces. Out of the almost 300 Mi-14s produced at Kazan Helicopters between 1973 and 1986, it is estimated that just 44 examples remain in active service.[5]

Variants

Georgian Mi-14
V-14
Prototype of the Mi-14 helicopter.[4]
Mi-14PL (NATO Haze-A)
Anti-submarine warfare helicopter, equipped with towed APM-60 MAD, OKA-2 sonobuoys and a retractable Type 12-M search radar, armed with either a single AT-1 or APR-2 torpedo, one Skat nuclear depth bomb or eight depth charges.[4][6] A single Mi-14PL was used to carry out trials with the Kh-23 (NATO designation AS-7 Kerry) air-to-surface missile but this modification does not seem to have entered service.[7]
Mi-14PLM
Improved anti-submarine warfare version with Os'minog ASW suite, with new search radar, dipping sonar and digital computer. Limited use.[8]
Mi-14PŁ/R
Polish conversion of two Mi-14PŁ (Polish designation for Mi-14PL) to search and rescue version, with ASW equipment removed, developed in 2010.[9]
Mi-14BT (NATO Haze-B)
Mine sweeping helicopter with ASW systems removed and equipped for towing Mine Countermeasures sleds. 25–30 built, with six exported to East Germany and two to Bulgaria.[8]
Mi-14PS (NATO Haze-C)
Search and rescue version with search lights and sliding doors with hoist.[10]
Mi-14PX
Search and rescue training helicopter for the Polish Navy (unofficial designation). One Polish Mi-14PŁ helicopter was temporarily converted into the Mi-14PX, then converted back in 1996.[9]
Mi-14PZh
Polish Navy's Mi-14PŁ on display at Radom Air Show 2005
Amphibious firebuster version of Mi-14BT.[11] Conversion price about USD1M.
Mi-14GP
Conversion of Mi-14PL to 24–26 seat civil passenger transport.[11]

Operational history

As part of the Syrian civil war, starting from 2013, Syrian Navy Mi-14 helicopters were used as improvised bombers to drop naval mines and barrel bombs on large area targets from high altitude, mostly cities held by opposing forces.[12] On 22 March 2015, one crashed with its pilot killed on the spot after capture and the rest of the crew captured.[13][14]

On 7 May 2022, Ukraine confirmed that Colonel Ihor Bedzay, the deputy head of the Ukrainian Navy, was killed when his Mi-14PS was shot down by a Russian Su-35.[15][16] A video emerged, claimed shot on 7 May 2022, showing a Su-27 family fighter engaging a Mi-14 with its 30 mm gun.[17]

Operators

By 1991, about 230 had been delivered, with exports to many Soviet allies including Bulgaria, Cuba, East Germany, Libya, Poland, and Syria.

Current operators

 Georgia
Polish Navy Mi-14PS
 Libya
Libyan Air Force Mi-14
 North Korea
 Poland
 Republic of the Congo
 Syria
Ukrainian Navy Mi-14PL
 Ukraine
 Yemen

Former operators

 Bulgaria
 Cuba
 East Germany
 Ethiopia
 Germany
 Russia
 South Yemen
 Soviet Union
 Yugoslavia

Specifications (Mi-14PL)

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1992–93[26]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 4
  • Length: 18.38 m (60 ft 4 in)
  • Height: 6.93 m (22 ft 9 in)
  • Empty weight: 11,750 kg (25,904 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 14,000 kg (30,865 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Klimov TV3-117MT turboshaft engines, 1,454 kW (1,950 hp) each
  • Main rotor diameter: 21.29 m (69 ft 10 in)
  • Main rotor area: 356 m2 (3,830 sq ft)
  • Blade section:NACA 23012[27]

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 230 km/h (140 mph, 120 kn)
  • Ferry range: 1,135 km (705 mi, 613 nmi)
  • Endurance: 4 hours with maximum fuel[28]
  • Service ceiling: 3,500 m (11,500 ft)

Armament

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

Notes

  1. ^ The first retractable undercarriage to be used in a Soviet helicopter.[3]

Citations

  1. ^ a b "[Actu] Le Mil Mi-14 ne veut pas mourir!". Red Samovar. 31 March 2017.
  2. ^ Mladenov Air International March 2001, pp. 184–186.
  3. ^ a b c d e Mladenov Air International March 2001, p. 186.
  4. ^ a b c Gunston 1995, p. 238.
  5. ^ "Russian Helicopters still analysing revival of Mi-14 amphibian". FlightGlobal. 12 January 2016.
  6. ^ Mladenov Air International March 2001, pp. 187–188.
  7. ^ Mlandenov Air International March 2001, p. 188.
  8. ^ a b Mladenov Air International April 2001, p. 244.
  9. ^ a b Adam Gołąbek, Andrzej Wrona, Śmigłowce Mi-14PŁ/R w służbie, in: Lotnictwo Nr. 7/2011, pp. 40–47 (in Polish).
  10. ^ Mladenov Air International April 2001, p. 245.
  11. ^ a b Mladenov Air International April 2001, p. 246.
  12. ^ "The Syrian Arab Air Force, Beware of its Wings". 16 January 2015.
  13. ^ "Video shows Syrian Navy Mi-14 anti-submarine helicopter (About to) crash land near Idlib". 22 March 2015.
  14. ^ "Video filmed inside Syrian Navy anti-submarine warfare helicopter before it crashed leaked on Youtube". 2 April 2015.
  15. ^ "Russian Sukhoi Fighter 'Hunts Down' A Ukrainian Mi-14 Chopper; Incident Gets Caught On Camera — Watch". www.eurasiantimes.net. 9 June 2022. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  16. ^ "A brave Ukrainian colonel died". www.thetimeshub.in. 10 May 2022. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  17. ^ "Watch a Russian Flanker Engage a Low Flying Ukrainian Mi-14 Helicopter in the Odesa Oblast". 8 June 2022.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h "World Air Forces 2018". Flightglobal Insight. 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  19. ^ a b c "World Air Forces 2013" (PDF). Flightglobal Insight. 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  20. ^ "Volksmarine Mil Mi-14 "Haze"". Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  21. ^ "Lithuanian company to help maintain Ethiopian Air Force aircraft". defenceWeb. 2016-03-22. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
  22. ^ "Marineflieger Mil Mi-14 "Haze"". Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  23. ^ Cooper, Tom (2017). Hot Skies Over Yemen, Volume 1. Solihull, UK: Helion & Company Publishing. p. 46. ISBN 978-1-912174-23-2.
  24. ^ "World Air Forces 1987 pg. 86". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  25. ^ "World Air Forces 1997 pg. 71". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  26. ^ Lambert, Mark; Munson, Kenneth; Taylor, Michael J.H., eds. (1992). Jane's all the world's aircraft 1992–93 (83rd ed.). Coulson, Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0710609878.
  27. ^ Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  28. ^ "Mi-14 Haze".

Bibliography

  • Gunston, Bill. The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995. London: Osprey, 1995. ISBN 1-85532-405-9.
  • Mladenov, Alexander. "Cutting through the Haze". Air International, March 2001, pp. 184–188. ISSN 0306-5634.
  • Mladenov, Alexander. "Cutting through the Haze: Part 2". Air International, April 2001, pp. 244–247. ISSN 0306-5634.

The initial version of this article was based on material from aviation.ru. It has been released under the GFDL by the copyright holder.

External links

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mil_Mi-14