Aviation Industries Research Center (AIRC)
One Iranian company, Esfahan-based Aviation Industries Research Center (AIRC), developed the Shahed-278, a lightweight helicopter that resembles the Bell models. Iran's Civil Aviation Authorities will issue a type certificate for the helicopter once it completes its flight-test program. The company reports orders for 15 Shahed-278s from undisclosed customers. Aviation Industries Research Center describes the Shahed-278 as a purely civilian design. Preparations for production are nearly complete at the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Co. (HESA), which has supplied parts for the three development prototypes AIRC has built and flown so far. Helicopters are not new territory for HESA; the company was established in 1964 as the Iran Helicopter Co., to service and repair Bell rotorcraft.
The first Shahed-278 prototype flew in 2001. A second, in which LCDs replace the analog instruments, followed three years later. Both are powered by a single Rolls-Royce 250-C20 turboshaft. Although the engine proved sufficient, production models will have the more powerful C20B/C version. With an empty equipped weight of 1,504 pounds and mtow of 3,201 pounds, the Shahed-278 has a maximum speed of 123 knots and a climb rate of nearly 2,800 fpm. The five-seat helicopter has a range of 324 nm.
The Shahed-278 is the center's second design after the Shahed-274, which flew in 1998. Although the developer claims the Shahed-274 was technically successful, the customer did not accept the helicopter and demanded that the company increase seating capacity from two to three or four. Thus was born the Shahed-278, which inherited the engine and elements of the gearbox and rotor systems.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
