On Thursday, November 14, 2024, a well-informed former military pilot, Ilya Tumanov, known on Telegram as Fighterbomber, posted about a new Russian multi-role helicopter. According to him, the Russian design bureau Heliburo has reportedly completed the preliminary design of the hybrid NV.17 helicopter and started work on its detailed design, aiming for the prototype’s maiden flight in 2027.
Images: Fighterbomber via Telegram
According to available information, this will be a medium-class helicopter designed for various missions, including transporting cargo and troops or providing combat support with unguided rocket missiles. It also features (at least partially) retractable landing gear, which is expected to improve the helicopter’s overall aerodynamics. The aircraft will be equipped with modern avionics and electronic systems.
Sources also mention a hybrid propulsion system, though without providing specific details, as well as a new, combined flight control system. In one of the graphics, the ability to deploy soldiers via a rope from the cargo hatch under the tail boom can be seen (reminiscent of the Mi-8/17 helicopters). However, in another depiction, a winch for such a rope is visible above the side cabin doors.
The NV.17 appears to be intended as a counterpart to Western medium-class helicopters, such as the American UH-60M Black Hawk or the European NH90. Currently, the newest Russian helicopters capable of transporting cargo and troops include the medium multi-role Mi-38T, the modernized heavy Mi-26T2V, and various upgrades of the Mi-8/17 platform, such as the Mi-8AMTSh-VN transport and assault variant.
Regarding the design bureau Heliburo itself, according to available information, it is headquartered in Moscow. Since January 2023, its executive director has been Maksim Prokhorov, who previously worked at the Kazan Helicopter Plant, part of the Russian Helicopters holding, as well as within the holding itself. He has also held positions at Flight Test Aerospace, Inc., Rosoboronexport, and the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant (now part of the National Helicopter Engineering Center). Prokhorov is a graduate of the Zhukovsky Air Force Engineering Academy in Voronezh, which has been decorated with the Orders of Lenin, October Revolution, and the Red Banner.