Russia to begin production of RACHEL high-speed helicopter in 2022

The model of RACHEL. Source: Press photo

The model of RACHEL. Source: Press photo

Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant's new craft will be most affordable in its class.

The promising high-speed helicopter RACHEL (Russian Advanced Commercial Helicopter) – currently being developed in the interests of the Defense Ministry – will be brought into production in 2022, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces, Viktor Bondarev, said on Sept. 1.

The helicopter has been designed to carry up to 24 passengers; it has a flight range of up to 900 km, a top speed of 500 km/h, and an optimum payload of 2.5 tons. According to the developers, RACHEL should become one of the most affordable craft in its class.

For the first time, RACHEL – designed at the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant (the Helicopters of Russia holding company) – was on display in model form at the air show in Farnborough (UK) in 2013. A full-size helicopter demonstrator was shown at the MAKS 2015 Air Show outside Moscow in late August. The demonstrator’s maiden flight is due in December 2015.

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