The Russian Helicopters holding company (part of RostecState Corporation), has lately equipped Mi-28 and Mi-35 combat helicopters with new fully composite rotor blades designed to increase the maximum speed of these platforms.
The blade possesses modern aerodynamic characteristics and elastic composition; it is manufactured by using the technology of one-stage compression molding. It was tested as part of the flying laboratory of a new high-speed helicopter concept.
”During the testing, the flying laboratory based on Mi-24 helicopter equipped with a set of new blades, reached a speed of more than 400 km/h without the need to change the base helicopter design. At the same time, manufacturers managed to maintain low vibration and load levels.
The new rotor blades are currently undergoing factory flight tests on a Mi-28N helicopter.