Kazan Ansat

Ansat
Ansat prototype
Role	Multipurpose utility helicopter
Manufacturer	Kazan Helicopters
First flight	August 17, 1999

The Kazan Ansat is a Russian light, multipurpose helicopter manufactured by Kazan Helicopters.

Development

Kazan Helicopters in Kazan, Tatarstan, Russia has been one of main Russian manufacturers of helicopters of Mikhail Mil bureau design. In 1990s, the management realized that there would be need for light helicopters in Russia, as the fleet of standard Mi-2 was getting older, and design itself became obsolete. The Mi-2 was the lightest helicopter mass-used in the former USSR, despite being larger than most light Western helicopters. At first, Kazan Helicopters wanted to develop a helicopter based on the AS 350 Ecureuil in cooperation with Eurocopter, but it failed.

As a result, in 1993 Kazan Helicopters organized its own design bureau, in order to create a new helicopter (the bureau was officially certified by the Russian authorities in January 1997). The helicopter was named Ansat (meaning "light" in Tatar language).

In 1998, the first prototype for ground static tests was completed. The second prototype (no. 02, then 902) first flew on August 17, 1999, but the first official flight was made on October 6, 1999. It was powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206 engines. Another prototype, with longer and slimmer fuselage, and powered with PW207K engines, flew on December 27, 2001 (no. 03, then 904). The third prototype introduced side doors of transport compartment opening upwards and downwards, instead of sliding ones. It was offered as the Ansat-U military trainer variant with dual controls.

The Ansat-U won a contest for a trainer helicopter for the Russian Air Force in September 2001. By 2010, four were in service with the Russian Air Force's Syzran Military Pilot Flying Training School. A further 20 are planned, to be powered by Ukrainian Motor Sich MS-500V engines replacing the Pratt & Whitney engines of the first four Ansats. Ansat-UT's are to be fitted with wheeled landing gear, instead of skis.

As for 2005, apart from the fourth prototype, Ansat has not been built in any bigger quantity. From 2002, it undergoes certification process. It is offered by Kazan Helicopters for Russian and foreign market, and for the Russian Air Force. Estimated price is about US$2–2.5 million.

There are projected Ansat variants: Ansat-M air ambulance for two stretchers and Ansat-UM military medevac for 4 stretchers.

Design

The Ansat is of a classic construction. It takes a pilot and 10 passengers (one of them sits next to the pilot). The fuselage has a pair of doors in pilot's cab, and a pair of upwards and downwards opening side doors in transport compartment. After the seats have been removed, it can take 1000 kg of cargo inside. On external hook, it can take 1300 kg of load. It is powered with two PW207K turboshaft engines, which produce 630 shp each. It features a four-blade main rotor and two-blade tail rotor.

Specifications

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004

General characteristics

• Crew: 1 or 2
• Capacity: 9 or 10 passengers or 2 stretchers and 3 attendants
• Length: 13.76 m (45 ft 2 in)
• Height: 3.40 m (11 ft 2 in)
• Empty weight: 1,900 kg (4,189 lb)
• Gross weight: 3,000 kg (6,614 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 3,300 kg (7,275 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207K turboshaft, 470 kW (630 hp) each
• Main rotor diameter: 11.50 m (37 ft 9 in)
• Main rotor area: 103.87 m² (1,118.0 sq ft)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 275 km/h (171 mph, 148 kn)
• Cruise speed: 250 km/h (160 mph, 130 kn)
• Never exceed speed: 285 km/h (177 mph, 154 kn)
• Range: 540 km (340 mi, 290 nmi)
• Endurance: 3 hr 20 min
• Service ceiling: 4,500 m (14,800 ft)
• Rate of climb: 21.5 m/s (4,232 ft/min)

References

• Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.
• Mladenov, Alexander. "Re-engined Ansat for Russia". Air International, November 2010, Vol 79 No 5. p.26. ISSN 0306-5634.