Kazan Helicopter Plant is to begin production of the Ansat light helicopter in mid-2001.

Published: 3/3/2000

KAZAN TO PRODUCE ANSAT LIGHT HELICOPTERS The Kazan Helicopter Plant is to begin serial production of the Ansat light helicopter in mid-2001, Plant General Director Alexander Lavrentyev said during a visit of a delegation headed by Deputy Prime Minister Ilya Klebanov responsible for the aerospace industry. According to Lavrentyev, there is already a good demand for the Ansat on the Russian market. In particular, Gazprom has announced plans to acquire 100 of these helicopters, the Russian Air Force, 150 and the Federal Border Service, 200.Whether these numbers will be forthcoming in the short term is the subject of debate, but given the current improvement in the outlook for defence spending orders and payment, the chances look to be considerably improved over the last few months. Lavrentyev also commented that Kazan Helicopter Plant had reached an agreement with Pratt & Whitney Canada, to organise licensed production of the Ansat , the PW206C engine at the Kazan Motor Production Association. Having successfully completed its maiden flight on 17th August 1999, Kazan Helicopter Plant plans to complete certification testing of the Ansat in 2001. The company plans to produce ten machines in 2001, 20 in 2002, and 30 in 2003. A total of 600-700 Ansat helicopters will be produced during the first ten years of serial production. The Kazan plant has been working on the Ansat since 1993 and has spent over $100m of its own funds on the development of the project. It is expected that the Ansat will cost $1.5m, (estimated at $1.7m last September), which according to Kazan represents half the price of its foreign counterparts. The helicopter has a maximum flight weight of 3.3t with a freight capacity of 1.3t, a maximum speed of 280 km/h and a flight ceiling of 5,500m. It is capable of carrying nine passengers over a total distance of 595 km. www.concise.org 09th September 1999

Article ID: 1507