| The former Soviet Union has a history of producing | | | | small turbine engine used to provide power to the ship |
| large helicopters capable of lifting heavy loads. The | | | | when the main engines were not in operation. The MI-6 |
| vastness of the country coupled with a large number | | | | was able to operate day or night in all weather. The |
| of inaccessible areas required a reliable form of | | | | MI-6 was also used as a civilian airliner, a fire fighting |
| transportation capable of operating in harsh | | | | aircraft, and recovered Soyuz space capsules. It had a |
| environments. The MIL Helicopter Corporation | | | | range of 370 miles and a max speed of 190 mph. |
| responded and has built some of the most capable | | | | Out of the success with the MI-6 came the MI-26 Halo. |
| heavy lift and cargo helicopters in the world. | | | | The MI-26 had its maiden flight in 1977 and went into |
| The predecessor to the MI-26, the MI-6 Hook, had its | | | | full-scale production in 1981. When looking at the two |
| start in 1954 when the Soviet OKB (Experimental | | | | aircraft you can see the influence that the MI-6 had on |
| Design Bureau) placed a requirement for a helicopter | | | | the design of the MI-26. Though only slightly heavier |
| that was able to carry a payload of 25,000 pounds a | | | | than the MI-6, the Halo can lift 44,000 pounds. It's |
| distance of 150 miles. The helicopter would be | | | | powered by two Lotarev D-136 turbo shaft engines |
| particularly useful for operations in Siberia where harsh | | | | rated at 11,550 SHP each. The MI-26 is the only |
| conditions prevented ground transport vehicles from | | | | helicopter to use an eight bladed rotor system. The |
| being effectively used. The military would also be able | | | | rotors are made from fiberglass and have titanium tips |
| to use the helicopter to lift artillery pieces, troops, and | | | | and have a diameter of 105 ft. To aid in maintenance |
| other large heavy loads. | | | | the aircraft features built in handholds and footholds, |
| When the MI-6 entered production it was powered by | | | | which help when operating in austere conditions. The |
| two Soloviev D-25V turbo shaft engines rated at | | | | MI-26, like the MI-6, has an APU to provide power |
| 5,550 SHP (shaft horsepower) each. The hook had a | | | | when the main engines are not operating. For |
| huge five bladed rotor system that had a diameter of | | | | comparison the load and lift capabilities of the MI-26 |
| almost 115 ft. The crew consisted of five people. Two | | | | are on par with that of the U.S. built C-130 Hercules |
| pilots, a navigator, a flight engineer, and a radio | | | | transport plane. |
| operator. The helicopter had two doors on either side | | | | The aircraft is loaded from the rear thorough clamshell |
| of the flight deck that could be jettisoned in an | | | | doors and a fold down loading ramp. The Halo has a |
| emergency and the windows on the pilots' sides were | | | | maximum speed of 180 mph and an operational range |
| bulged so they could see the rear of the helicopter. | | | | of 320 nautical miles without using auxiliary fuel tanks. |
| The MI-6 also carried an APU (auxiliary power unit), a | | | | |