Mil Mi-18
Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant · Soviet Union · first flew 1980 · transport aircraft
The Mil Mi-18 was a Soviet experimental transport helicopter developed in the 1980s as an enlarged, improved derivative of the Mi-8/Mi-17 family, featuring a wider fuselage and retractable undercarriage.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Enlarged Mi-8/Mi-17 derivative with wider fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Enlarged Mi-8/Mi-17 derivative with wider fuselage
- Retractable tricycle undercarriage instead of fixed skids
- Extended rear ramp for vehicle loading
Resembles the Mi-8/Mi-17 but can be identified by its retractable tricycle undercarriage, slightly longer cabin, and rear clamshell loading ramp.
Specifications
- The Mil Mi-18 has a length of 25.24 m (83 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 21.29 m (70 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 270 km/h (168 mph).
- Typical crew: 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Mi-18 prototype flew in 1980 as a technology demonstrator intended to offer greater payload and improved performance over the ubiquitous Mi-8. Despite demonstrating improved performance, the programme was not taken into series production, with the Soviet military preferring continued development of the standard Mi-8/Mi-17 line.
Variants
Only one or two prototypes were built; the Mi-18 did not lead to production variants.
Where you'll see it
Never entered service; the aircraft remained an experimental programme and was not adopted by Soviet or Russian armed forces.
Related aircraft
- Mil Mi-14
- Mil Mi-8
- Mil Mi-10
- Mil Mi-6
- Beechcraft C-12F Huron
- Boeing CH-47 Chinook HC.1
- McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender
- Boeing CH-47D Chinook
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.