Man's eternal desire for superiority has left its mark on the history of helicopters. Today we will talk about the largest rotorcraft.
AT 12
The record holder among the largest helicopters is the Soviet B-12 (unofficial name - Mi-12). Developed back in the years cold war, when there was a need to deliver intercontinental ballistic missiles by air. D-25VF engines (4 pcs.) with a power of 26,000 hp. With. lift a vehicle weighing 69.1 tons and an additional load of 30 to 40 tons. 
The device is controlled by six crew members from a two-tier cabin. The B-12 is distinguished by reverse-tapering wings with lateral propellers with a diameter of 35 meters each. And its huge cargo compartment can accommodate almost 200 people. Helicopter dimensions: height – 12.5 m, length – 37 m.
B-12 compared to a conventional helicopter
The B-12 first took to the air on July 10, 1968, under the control of test pilot V.P. Koloshenko. The second copy took off in May 1973 under the guidance of test pilot G.V. Alferov. Both examples went to the aviation museum in 1974, where they remain to this day. The production of such a large device had to be closed due to too high costs and the lack of suitable landing sites.
In second place among the largest helicopters was the Mi-26, the younger brother of the B-12. Unlike its older “colleague,” the Mi-26 is mass-produced by the Rostvertol plant and is used everywhere. 
The main rotor of the machine consists of eight blades with a diameter of 32 meters, the tail rotor - of five blades with a diameter of about 7.5 meters. Two engines with a total power of 22.8 thousand hp. lift a vehicle weighing 28.2 tons and an additional load of up to 20 tons. Piloted by a crew of 2 to 6 people (depending on the model). Dimensions: height – 8 m, length – 40 m.
Today, the Mi-26 has up to 15 modifications that perform various functions and have ensured the device wide popularity. It is used when transporting goods, as well as:
- for medical purposes for transporting the wounded: accommodates up to 60 beds and medical staff;
- for military purposes: accommodates up to 85 soldiers;
- in rescue operations during forest fires or natural disasters.
The Soviet Mi-26 was first tested on December 14, 1977 by test pilot G. R. Karapetyan. It has been mass produced since 1984 and during this time has managed to “show up” in numerous military conflicts, rescue operations, peacekeeping missions, in the field of passenger and cargo transportation. The helicopter is in service and operated for civilian purposes in more than 15 countries around the world.
The largest military helicopters
The largest military helicopter is the US-made Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion. Serially launched since 1981 by Sikorsky Aircraft. The CH-53E has several modifications and is in service with the United States and Japan. Piloted by five crew members. The Sikorsky main rotor consists of seven blades with a diameter of 24 meters, and the steering rotor consists of four blades. Three engines with a power of 13.1 thousand hp. lift a Super Stallion weighing 15 thousand tons and an additional load of up to 16 tons. Helicopter dimensions: height – 8.5 m, length – 30.2 m. Accommodates from 37 to 55 military personnel on board. 
The first CH-53 prototype flew on October 14, 1964, and has been modified many times since then. As a result, the CH-53E underwent its first tests in December 1980, and the following year it was accepted into service with the US Navy. The equipment includes three machine guns, and night and infrared vision systems help to navigate well even in bad weather and combat conditions.
The largest Soviet military helicopter is the Mi-24. The main rotor of the machine consists of five blades with a diameter of 17.3 meters, the tail rotor - of three blades with a diameter of 3.9 meters. A pair of TV3-117 engines with a total power of 4.4 thousand hp. With. lift a vehicle weighing 7.6 tons and a load of up to 2.4 tons. Piloted by three crew members, it can additionally accommodate up to 8 paratroopers. Dimensions: height – 5.5 m, length – 17.5 m. 
First tested on September 15, 1969 by test pilot G.V. Alferov, and after some modifications in 1971 he went to mass production. In various modifications, the Mi-24 is in service in more than 40 countries around the world.
The Mi-24 is equipped with built-in cannon and small arms and, depending on the model, grenade launchers, guided and unguided missile systems, bombs and cassettes.
The second half of the last century became a real “finest hour” for helicopters. These machines were especially actively used for military purposes. For the first time, helicopters were used en masse during the Korean War and showed their highest efficiency. At first they were used for reconnaissance, adjusting artillery fire, and transporting the wounded. Thanks to their emergency evacuation from the battlefield, the number of deaths in the American army sharply decreased.
The first helicopters were imperfect: they had low speed, low payload, and poor protection from enemy fire. But their progress was rapid. Very soon these machines mastered drums and transport functions, almost every year more and more advanced machines appeared.
The USSR did not immediately join this race. But when the Soviet military appreciated the merits of the new class aircraft, several design bureaus were created at once, which began developing rotary-wing aircraft. At the same time, Soviet designers sought to make them faster, more powerful and larger. foreign analogues. And they often succeeded. Soviet helicopters were considered one of the best in the world, they were supplied to dozens of countries around the world, some of the machines are truly unique.
A striking example of this, of course, is the Mi-26 - the largest transport helicopter in the world.
History of the Mi-26 The Mi-26 began to be developed at the Mil Design Bureau in the early 70s of the last century. The new cargo helicopter was supposed to deliver heavy cargo to sparsely populated areas Soviet Union
The designers set themselves the goal of maximizing the use in the new vehicle of proven components and assemblies that were used on the Mi-8, Mi-12 and Mi-6 and were already mass-produced. Several schemes for the future machine were considered: single-screw, double-screw, longitudinal and transverse. Research conducted jointly with specialists from TsAGI and CIAM showed the advantages of the classic single-rotor design. According to technical specifications, developed for the new vehicle, the Mi-26 was supposed to transport cargo weighing up to 20 tons over a distance of at least 400 kilometers. The engines for the new heavy helicopter were developed at the Zaporozhye Progress plant.
The creators of the Mi-26 paid great attention to the design of the main rotor. The new machine was equipped with a propeller with metal-plastic blades with a diameter of 28 meters. This solution significantly improved the technical characteristics of the helicopter, increased its thrust and reduced total weight. The fuselage of the new vehicle turned out to be especially successful: while maintaining the required mass of the fuselage, it was possible to increase the rigidity of the structure and increase the useful volume of the cargo compartment several times.
When creating a new heavy helicopter, the operating experience of previous models was taken into account. Dust protection devices were installed in front of the air intakes, which significantly increased engine life. Convenient access to all components and assemblies was thought out, which made the repair and maintenance of the Mi-26 as convenient as possible. The cargo compartment was equipped with loading equipment (electric winch, hoist). The vehicle can transport cargo on an external sling (up to 20 tons).
Initially, the vehicle was designed to transport personnel. The cargo compartment could accommodate 82 paratroopers with weapons or 60 wounded on stretchers. In a few hours, the Mi-26 helicopter could be converted into an ambulance.
Construction of the prototype began in 1972, and the aircraft made its first flight in 1977. In 1980, the Mi-26 successfully passed state tests, receiving highly appreciated The State Commission and the pilots who conducted them. It was recommended that the new vehicle be put into production and put into service.
In 1983, military tests of the new vehicle began, and in 1985 it began to enter service with the troops.
This car was shown to the general public in 1981, at the international exhibition in Le Bourget. She created a real sensation.
The helicopter was actively used in the Afghan war. It was the Mi-26 that first evacuated the damaged Mi-8 helicopter. Mi-26 helicopters operated in Afghanistan from air bases in neighboring Tajikistan and carried out missions for the Soviet group: transporting cargo and personnel, evacuating the wounded. Already after the start of the multinational coalition invasion of Afghanistan, the Mi-26 carried out the evacuation on an external sling of two damaged CH-47 Chinook helicopters (US Air Force) and an AS-532 Cougar helicopter (Dutch Air Force).
The Mi-26 was actively used during the liquidation of the consequences of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant since 1986. This vehicle took part in the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, in the first and second Chechen campaigns, and in several conflicts on the territory of the African continent.
Several cars were hit. The largest helicopter crash in the history of world aviation is associated with the Mi-26. In 2002, near Khankala, an Mi-26 was shot down by Chechen separatists using Igla MANPADS. 127 people died in this terrible tragedy.
The helicopter is perfect for solving problems of both military and peaceful nature. It can be used for rescue operations and transportation of oversized cargo on an external sling. This helicopter is also used to extinguish forest fires.
Today, these vehicles are in service with several dozen countries. Most of all Mi-26 are in the Russian Air Force. These helicopters are also actively used by the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations. The machine has several dozen modifications, its production continues at the helicopter plant in Rostov. Until 2011, 316 units were produced, 40 vehicles were sent to other countries.
The Mi-26 is currently the largest mass-produced transport helicopter in the world. It set several world records for payload, altitude and range. The machine has excellent technical characteristics and is loved by pilots and maintenance personnel. Due to their unique characteristics, these helicopters are very popular both in Russia and abroad.
Device
The Mi-26 helicopter is built according to the classical design. It has one tail rotor and one main rotor. The main rotor has eight blades, the tail rotor has five. The propeller blades have a steel spar, a plastic frame and a special filler. To improve aerodynamic properties, the blades have a variable profile. Titanium is used in the bushing design.
The power plant consists of two D-136 gas turbine engines (each with a power of 11,400 hp), which have no analogues in the world.
The chassis is three-post, non-retractable.
The fuselage is an all-metal semi-mocoque. In its nose there is radar antenna and the cockpit. Behind it is the passenger cabin. The cargo compartment occupies most fuselage. Its dimensions are very impressive: the length is 12 meters, the width is 8.25 meters. It has loading equipment.
The design of the helicopter actively uses a special Aluminium alloy, which is approximately 25% lighter than conventional aluminum.
Fuel tanks are built into the design of the vehicle; the volume of the tanks is 11,600 liters, which allows the Mi-26 to cover up to 800 kilometers.
The fuselage has excellent aerodynamic characteristics; the helicopter is equipped with numerous fairings. A complex of radio-electronic and navigation equipment allows the vehicle to perform its tasks day or night, in different weather conditions. The modernized Mi-26T2 helicopter received the newest complex avionics-26 and a more comfortable cabin with LCD screens, as well as a new navigation complex , which can navigate and plot a course using navigation system
GLONASS.
The Mi-26 crew consists of six people.
Currently, a modification of the Mi-26T2 is ready; it can be operated by two people.
| Specifications | Parameter |
| Characteristic | Main rotor diameter |
| 32 m | 8 |
| Number of rotor blades | Area swept by the main rotor |
| 804.25 m² | Tail rotor diameter |
| 7.61 m | Length |
| 40.025 m | Fuselage length |
| 33.727 m | Main rotor height |
| 8.145 m | Chassis base |
| 8,950 m | Chassis track |
| 5,000 m | Empty mass |
| 28,200 kg | Normal takeoff weight |
| 49,500 kg | Maximum take-off weight |
| 56,000 kg | Load capacity in cargo compartment |
| 20 t | Load capacity in cargo compartment |
| Load capacity on external sling | Cargo compartment length |
| 12.0 m | Cargo compartment width |
| 3.2 m | Cargo compartment height |
| 3.1 m | Cargo hatch dimensions |
| 2.9 x 3.2 m | Cargo compartment volume |
| 110 m3 | 6 |
| Mi-26 crew | Mi-26T2 crew |
| 2 people (3 people with external load sling) | 85 |
| Passenger capacity (soldiers) | 70 |
| Capacity of passengers (troopers) | Passenger capacity (stretchers for the wounded) |
| 60 + three health workers | Fuel tank capacity |
| 12,000 l | Volume of external fuel tanks (PTB) |
| 14,800 l in four tanks or 4,780 l in two tanks | Power point |
| 2 × turboshaft "Motor Sich" D-136 | Engine power |
| 2 × 11,400 l. With. | Jet fuel consumption |
| 3100 kg/hour | Maximum speed |
| 295 km/h | Cruising speed |
| Flight range at maximum fueling | 800 km |
| Flight range at maximum load | 475 km |
| Flight range during ferrying | 2350 km (with four PTB) |
| Service ceiling | 4600 m |
| Static ceiling | 1800 m |
| Dynamic ceiling | 6500 m |
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1st place.
By all indicators, the helicopter is considered the leader among rotorcraft Mi-12. Its official name is - AT 12. NATO countries included it in a list called "Homer" The device is equipped with four engines, and the propellers are located on the side.
This unique device managed to lift more than 44 tons to a height of 2255m. By the way, this record has not yet been broken. The rotorcraft was developed back in the sixties of the twentieth century, and a total of 2 copies were produced. They are still “alive” to this day and are exhibits in specialized museums, having served people faithfully for a very long time.
2nd place. 
Mi-26 The legendary "flying cow". Of course, this is a more modest rotorcraft both in size and payload, but no less functional. On this moment, this is the largest helicopter that is mass-produced all over the world. Equipped with one propeller and two power units. Can easily lift and move a 50 ton load.
This is a fairly fast helicopter, reaching speeds of up to three hundred km/h. It is used in a variety of areas: in air ambulances, for transporting airborne troops (can transport a company of soldiers), is actively used by the Ministry of Emergency Situations and is used for transporting various cargoes. Can easily transport another aircraft - helicopter or airplane. Well proven as a fighter submarines and an air tanker.
3rd place. 
Mi-6. It was born much earlier than the Mi-12 and Mi-26. This is a high-speed helicopter capable of reaching speeds of up to 305 km/h. can transport cargo weighing 12 tons in the cabin and 8 tons on the sling. Crew: five people. It has one propeller and two engines, each with a power of 5.5 thousand.
This is perhaps the most popular helicopter, and over the entire period of operation, about a thousand of these machines were created, which cut the skies with the blades of their propellers to this day.
4th place. 
Mi-10. “Brother” of all the above helicopters. The youngest one. Appeared after the release of the Mi-6 helicopter. It is a simplified version, with more modest dimensions and technical characteristics. Its main purpose is to transport ballistic missiles, but in case of emergency it can carry 30 passengers.
The maximum speed is 190 km/h, and the vehicle weighs 38 tons. The helicopter also bears the unofficial name “Flying Crane”. It can lift a maximum of 15 tons of cargo.
5th place.
Sikorsky CH-53E. This helicopter model was designed and built in the USA. At the moment, this is the largest rotorcraft in the history of American helicopter manufacturing. Its weight is 34 tons, the number of engines is 3, crew members are 5. It is capable of transporting 55 marines or 19 tons of cargo at a time.
Develops a maximum speed of 315 km/h. is in service in many armies around the world. It is armed with machine guns and equipped with night vision devices.
6th place. 
Boeing MH-47E Chinook. This helicopter began to be used relatively recently - since 1991. But during this time it managed to establish itself as a reliable, sufficiently lifting and high-speed rotorcraft.
Used to perform a variety of tasks. Naturally, this is more of a military helicopter, capable of transporting 25 wounded soldiers or two platoons of soldiers. Equipped with two engines with a power of 5000 “horses” each and two propellers. Load capacity – 25 tons.
7th place. 
Also "Flying Crane", only American. Used for transporting suspended loads. Released in a single copy back in 1952. Slug. Develops a speed of 145 km/h.
8th place. 
Heavy army transporter. Has a lifting capacity of 9 tons and maximum speed at 240 km/h. can rise to a height of 11,000 m.
9 -th place.
Bell AH-1 Super Cobra. Twin-engine combat helicopter. This is the main attack helicopter of the US Marines. Quite fast (352 km/h) and light (5 tons).
10th place. 
Mi-24. Russian attack helicopter with the ability to transport a squad of soldiers. It was actively used in Afghanistan by Soviet troops. It reaches a speed of 355 km/h and weighs 7.5 tons.
Helicopters are used for a variety of purposes, from travel and weddings to the transportation of large cargo. How much weight can the largest helicopter lift?
Large helicopter models
Large helicopter models are being actively developed by many countries. But among heavyweight record holders, our country invariably leads. In the first positions in this ranking are Russian helicopters, released at the OKB im. Mile.The Mi-10 and Mi-6 were originally created to transport missile systems. The Mi-6 is capable of lifting a load of up to 12 tons into the air to a height of 2.5 thousand meters. This helicopter is also one of the most maneuverable and high-speed. The absolute speed record for the Mi-6, set in 1961, was 320 km/h.
Mi-10 was developed for the needs National economy based on Mi-6. It lifts loads up to 15 tons. One of these helicopters was modified specifically to set a cargo lifting record. This machine lifted 25 tons into the air. And in 1964, its new model, the Mi-10K, was built, which allowed the pilot to observe the cargo without leaving the controls.
The United States also has a helicopter with an impressive payload capacity in its arsenal. This is a Sikorsky CH-53E, which lifts a load of up to 16 tons on an external sling. This helicopter is equipped with machine guns, infrared and night vision systems and can carry up to 55 passengers, not including five crew members.
Largest unmanned helicopter
Equally important is the development of unmanned helicopters that can lift quite significant weight. Last year, the world's largest drone was tested at a California naval air base. The MQ-8C "Fire Scout" helicopter is based on the unmanned Schweitzer 333 and can lift a load of up to 450 kg. 
This model can stay in the air longer than all its predecessors. Its also advantage is that in adverse weather conditions it provides greater flight stability. At a speed of 200 km/h, the MQ-8C can stay in the air for up to 24 hours.
The only drawback of unmanned helicopters is that in an unfavorable situation it can fall into the hands of the enemy. Therefore, the creators of the MQ-8C are seriously working on this problem. After improvements and necessary modifications, mass deliveries of the helicopter are planned for 2016.
The largest helicopter in Russia
The history of the creation of large Russian helicopters began during the Cold War in the USSR. The atomic threat dictated the need to deliver large materials to those areas of the country that are difficult to reach by land transport. And the design bureau named after. Mil put all his efforts into creating a helicopter that could solve this problem.In 1967, the first flight of the Mi-12 helicopter, also known under the code B-12, took place. After two years of testing, the Mi-12 set a world record for lifting a load weighing 31, and then 40 tons to a height of 2250 meters. This figure has not yet been surpassed by any helicopter in the world.
The Mi-12 successfully participated in international exhibitions, where it invariably became a real star. Of course, its dimensions are simply incredible - the diameter of its propellers is larger than the wingspan of a Boeing 747! This helicopter has a two-tier cabin that can accommodate six people and a huge cargo compartment. It could also carry up to 50 passengers.
But only two such helicopters were built. The first prototype crashed during landing due to a hard landing. Flights of the second model ceased in 1974. It turned out that the production of this helicopter would be too expensive, and besides, large landing sites would need to be equipped for it. Both helicopters can now be seen in aviation museums.
The largest helicopter in the world
And the Mi-12 was replaced by its younger brother, the Mi-26. It can lift up to 20 tons into the air, and at the moment this is the largest payload of a helicopter. The Mi-26 is produced in different variations for military or medical purposes. It is also used during natural disasters and fire fighting. It was this helicopter that was used in the liquidation of the Chernobyl disaster. 
The Mi-26 has very large dimensions and can accommodate up to 100 soldiers or 50 wounded. The speed of this car is also quite big, it can accelerate to 295 km/h. The helicopter crew consists of five people. Special equipment makes it possible to turn the landing Mi-26 into an ambulance.
Deliveries of this helicopter to the troops began in 1983. After some modifications, it became truly indispensable in army aviation. He took part in many wars, including the Chechen conflicts, during battles in Dagestan and Afghanistan. The Mi-26 has established itself everywhere as a reliable machine that has not had a single combat loss.
In 1986, Mi-26s began to arrive at Aeroflot. They were very useful during development oil fields V Western Siberia. Helicopters of this model also participated in UN peacekeeping missions. In great demand The Mi-26 is also used abroad, where it is used by both domestic and foreign companies.
Our country can be proud of its achievements in aircraft construction: the MiG-31 is one of the fastest supersonic aircraft.. But there are even faster aircraft. On our website there is a detailed article about the fastest aircraft in the world.
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