Russia unveils NW.17: New military helicopter by 2027
The Russian design bureau Heliburo has unveiled a project for a new Russian military helicopter, the NW.17. This versatile aircraft, capable of undertaking transport and soldier support missions on the battlefield, is slated for its maiden flight in 2027. What details do we know about it?
The Russians have completed the conceptual and preliminary design stages of the new NW.17 helicopter. It aims to bridge the gap between light helicopters, such as the Ansat, and heavy transport helicopters, like the Mi-26.
This new aircraft is being developed at the Heliburo design bureau, and its visualisations were revealed for the first time on the Telegram service via the Fighterbomber profile, managed by a former Russian military pilot.
According to Army Recognition, the overall concept of the NW.17 resembles Western multi-role machines, much like the American Black Hawk or European NH90, which are capable of executing both transport and ground support missions. The visualisation shows the helicopter armed with rocket launchers.
The new NW.17 helicopter
The transport capabilities of the NW.17 are enhanced—akin to the Mi-17 helicopter—by a transport ramp at the rear of the fuselage. Partially retractable landing gear improves the aircraft's aerodynamics. The helicopter is anticipated to feature a hybrid drive and a "combined" control system, though specifics remain unclear at this stage.
Russia, which has faced significant losses in its helicopter fleet due to the war in Ukraine, is striving to modernise the current fleet. This is being pursued by upgrading them with new avionics, targeting systems, and integrating them with new weaponry, as seen with the Ka-52M and LMUR missiles. More substantial upgrades include improved engines, radar systems, or self-defence systems in the Mi-28NM helicopter.
Multirole helicopters are also undergoing enhancements—the Mi-26T2W is a variant with upgraded avionics and defence systems, and the Mi-38T, delivered in limited numbers, attempts to replace ageing helicopters from the Mi-8/Mi-17 family.
The timeline for introducing the new helicopter
In this context, the effort to introduce a completely new machine, developed according to contemporary principles, into service seems entirely justified. Although Heliburo asserts the prototype will fly as early as 2027, it might take over 20 years from project completion and first flight to the equipment being officially inducted into service.
An example is the experience of the Russian light helicopter Ansat, developed to succeed the Mi-2 machines. Although the helicopter first flew in 1999, its official introduction into service took place in 2013, with fewer than 90 units produced for all customers to date.
