Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of Rostec State Corporation, is to equip its Ansat helicopter with an external sling, which will allow the helicopter to carry oversized cargo weighing up to a tonne. After the certification of the new option, the Ansat helicopter will also be able to be used to extinguish fires using a spillway on an external sling.

During recent tests at the Kazan Helicopter Plant, the helicopter climbed to an altitude of 3.7 km, with 600 kg of cargo overboard. The speed of the aircraft with cargo on the external sling was 180 km/h. At the same time, the maximum takeoff weight of the Ansat when using an external sling was increased from 3,600 to 3,800 kg.

“By expanding its list of optional equipment, we are making the Ansat helicopter an even more versatile and easy-to-use machine,” says a Rostec spokesperson. “Already today it can be used for the transportation of passengers and cargo, medical and SAR operations. External sling certification will allow for the transportation of oversized cargo by helicopter and, in the long term, firefighting using a spillway device. In the near future, we also expect to increase the Ansat's flight range by 160 km by certifying an additional fuel tank.”

Earlier, Kazan Helicopters received approval from the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency for the installation of an onboard boom with a winch on the Ansat helicopter. The new option allows operators to safely lift on board and lower people and goods weighing up to 272 kg. The side boom is indispensable for search and rescue operations and allows for loading and unloading operations in hover mode.

The Ansat is a light twin-engine multipurpose helicopter, the serial production of which is performed at the Kazan Helicopter Plant. According to its type certificate, the design of the helicopter allows it to be quickly transformed into both cargo and passenger versions with the ability to carry up to seven people. In May 2015, an addendum to the type certificate was received for the modification of the Ansat with a medical interior. The Ansat is certified for use in the temperature range from -45 to +50 degrees Celsius, as well as for operation in high mountains.