Having found some success with military orders for the Mi-28N and Mi-8/17, Moscow-based Mil is seeking to expand its offerings and attract some interest from the business aviation market. The Moscow design house reinstated itself as the “brain trust” of the national rotorcraft industry after the foundation of state-run Helicopter Holding, a consortium of all national helicopter developers and manufacturers in which Mil managers took commanding seats.
In the 60 years since the company was founded, Mil has built more than 30,000 helicopters. While happy with that statistic, Mil general designer Aleksei Samusenko hopes to improve the company’s recognition in the business aviation market, particularly in Russia. He recognizes that the business community– even within Russia–prefers quieter and more comfortable European and American designs to the home- grown Mil designs. The company plans to challenge Western rivals with its revamped Mi-34A, all-new Mi-54 and refined Mi-38.
More In Rotorcraft
