Aircraft
Modified Mi-24 Explores High-Speed Helicopter Technology
Russian defense ministry wants a next-generation rotorcraft that can reach 270 knots.
The PSV demonstrator was displayed ahead of its first flight, at the MAKS’2015 show in Moscow. (Photo: Vladimir Karnozov)
The PSV demonstrator was displayed ahead of its first flight, at the MAKS’2015 show in Moscow. (Photo: Vladimir Karnozov)

After lengthy preparations, an Mi-24K testbed equipped with a new main rotor flew for the first time on December 23 last year at Tomolino near Moscow, which is Mil’s flight-test base. The Russian government is funding the development of a high-speed helicopter (Russian acronym PSV). Although the Russian defense ministry is interested in such a machine, Mil parent company Russian Helicopters is downplaying its commercial prospects.