OREANDA-NEWS. The Russian Helicopters Holding Company is an exhibitor at the Dubai Helishow 2014 international show of helicopters and associated equipment that has opened in Dubai, UAE. Russian Helicopters have presented a search-and-rescue variant of the advanced Mil Mi-172-A2 helicopter and a firefighting version of the Kamov Ka-32-A11-VS at the show.

The 2014 Dubai Helishow, the fifth to be held in Dubai, opened a few days ago and will continue through November 6. It was organized with support from the United Arab Emirates Air Force and is held under the patronage of the UAE Prime Minister and Vice President, Emir (constitutional monarch) of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The state-of-the-art Mil Mi-171-A2 combines the very extensive experience of operating Russian Mil Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopter series with high technology and ingenious approach to design. In this machine, developers achieved a substantial improvement in handling and operating performance, made the new helicopter more cost-efficient and expanded its capabilities. The helicopter can be operated from high-altitude landing sites, in extremely hot and dry climate, under extreme temperature changes and in extremely dusty environments. A hangar is not required for storing and performing maintenance and basic repairs on a Mil Mi-171-A2, making it an optimal choice for all countries in the Middle East.

Mil Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopters have demonstrated their effectiveness for search-and-rescue missions around the world. Mil Mi-171-A2, a new development in this series, can perform similar missions more efficiently. The Russian Helicopters Holding Company is currently working to have the Mil Mi-171-A2 certified and preparing the new model for series production.

Experts have also noted the Kamov Ka-32-A11-VS firefighting helicopter, saying that it would be effective for fighting fires even at the top floors of the tallest of skyscrapers, including the famous 163-storey (828-meter) Burj Khalifa in Dubai, considered to be one of the tallest in the world. Conventional ground-based firefighting equipment would be practically useless for extinguishing a fire in Burj Khalifa.

The Kamov Ka-32-A11-VS has the best lifting capacity in its class. The helicopter can be equipped with systems for both horizontal and vertical firefighting. It can load or disperse three metric tons of water in the hover mode within 90 seconds. While loading water, the Ka-32-A11-VS can add a foam agent to the water, producing more than 200 kilograms of foam. All of this enables it to extinguish fires at any storey of buildings, by directing a targeted jet of water/foam inside a burning building through the windows.

Kamov Ka-32-A11-VS helicopters are operated in more than 30 countries. Industry experts have recognized it as being among the best firefighting helicopters in the world, as it is irreplaceable for fighting wildfires caused by technology mishaps and natural causes. The Ka-32-A11-VS was certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in 2009, and by the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in February 20