Maksimov Ma-18
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| Maksimov Ma-18 | |
|---|---|
| |
| The first Ma-18 delivered to the Nikolian Royal Air Force | |
| Role | Utility/transport helicopter |
| National origin |  Nikolia
|
| Manufacturer | Maksimov Helicopters |
| Designer | Maksimov Design Bureau |
| First flight | 1963 |
| Introduction | 1966 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | Nikolian Royal Air Force Nikolian Coast Guard, Nikolian Royal Army, Nikolian Royal Navy |
| Unit cost |
20 million NĐ (8 million NSD)
|
The Maksimov Ma-18 Pčela (meaning Bee in Serbian) is medium sized, two turbine helicopter designed and manufactured by Maksimov Helicopters in Nikolia. Its primary role is transport, however during the development, several different versions were designed with roles such as search and rescue, command post, firefighting, armed gunship and reconnaissance platform. In 2001, Maksimov Helicopters officially stopped the production of Ma-18 in favour of its modern variant, the Ma-20 and a new platform, Ma-22.
Development and design
Following the Nikolian involvement in Caranad Conflict, the Nikolian forces on the ground lacked proper transportation aircraft. Although the helicopters that were in use by the Air Force and the Army were used in the conflict, they had major flaws: they were of low capacity, they were slow and they had one engine which was unreliable in climate of Caranad. This led to army officials rushing Maksimov plant to introduce and manufacture the long forgotten and postponed project. In late 1965, Maksimov plant developed the first prototype for the army, the HP-10. However, the board, consisted of air force experts quickly rejected the first prototype due to constant mechanical failures of the engines and the rotor shaft, and due to vibrations in the cabin. Maksimov team of developers went back to the drawing board, redesigned the engines and the shaft and added one extra rotor blade to reduce vibrations. The second prototype was approved by the army board and went into mass production under the designation Ma-18A. The newly produced helicopter had 5 rotor blades, two turboshaft engines producing 1,950 shp each, cruise speed of 230km/h and capacity of up to 26 soldiers, or 4 tonnes of cargo. The first 10 helicopters delivered to the army were immediately sent to Caranad.
Versions
Operators
Specifications (Ma-18A)
General characteristics
- Crew: 3 (pilot, copilot, flight engineer)
- Capacity: 24 passengers or 12 stretchers and seat for 1 medical attendant or 4,000 kg (8,800 lb) on internal/external hardpoints
- Length: 18.4 m (60 ft 4 in)
- Height: 5.5 m (18 ft 1 in)
- Empty weight: 7,100 kg (15,653 lb)
- Gross weight: 11,100 kg (24,471 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 13,000 kg (28,660 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 3,700 L (980 US gal; 810 imp gal)
- Powerplant: 2 × FMK-5410TH turboshaft engines, 1,454 kW (1,950 hp) each
- Main rotor diameter: 21.29 m (69 ft 10 in)
- Main rotor area: 356 m2 (3,830 sq ft)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 250 km/h (155 mph; 135 kn)
- Cruise speed: 240 km/h (149 mph; 130 kn)
- Range: 495 km (308 mi; 267 nmi)
- Ferry range: 960 km (597 mi; 518 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 5,000 m (16,000 ft)
Armament