MOSCOW. Aug 3 (Interfax-AVN) - The land-based testing of the Mil Mi-2M upgraded twin-engine light-class helicopter is nearing completion in Rostov-on-Don.
"The helicopter's maiden flight is likely to be performed in August-September," Motor Sich Chairman Vyacheslav Bohuslayev told Interfax-AVN.
"The current modernization aims to replace the obsolete GTD-350 engine with the modern AI-450," he said.
The helicopter will be subsequently taken to Moscow, where the testing will continue with the participation of experts of the Mil helicopter plant.
"Motor Sich [Ukraine] has handed over four AI-450 engines to Russian helicopter builders, two of which have been installed on the trial model of the upgraded Mi-2M," Bohuslayev said.
Overall, more than 5,000 Mi-2 helicopters have been built, he said. "Hundreds of them are in service in Russia and abroad. Modernization will breath new life into this helicopter," he said.