Kazan Helicopters’ Ansat-M took off for its maiden flight on December 29, 2020. The aircraft is a modernized version of the Ansat light multipurpose helicopter, developed in the late 1990s-early 2000s.
It received several upgrades, including an improved fuel system which increased the flight range from 500 to 800 kilometers (310 to 500 miles). The tail section was modified to increase stability. The proportion of composite materials was increased to 35%, reducing the weight of the aircraft. The helicopter can carry up to seven people. A medical module and a rescue winch for search and rescue operations were recently certified.
Kazan Helicopter Plant belongs to Russian Helicopters, which is part of the Russian state-owned industrial conglomerate Rostec. “The modernization of Ansat was carried out within the framework of the contract of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia in 2019-2020,” said Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov. “I am sure that the new machine will contribute to the solution of tasks to improve the transport accessibility of remote areas of our country.”
In 2021, the Ansat-M should be equipped with an anti-icing system, thanks to which the helicopter will be able to operate in Arctic conditions, at temperatures reaching -45 degrees Celsius. New blades of the Ansat’s tail and main rotor blades with improved aerodynamics are being developed.
Certification tests and the first deliveries of Ansat-M to customers are scheduled for 2021.