In September 2014, Rostvertol, a Russian Helicopters company (a subsidiary of Oboronprom, part of State Corporation Rostec), celebrates the 50th anniversary of the serial produced Mi-10’s maiden flight.

The Mi-10 is a specialised military-transport helicopter, known as the ‘Flying Crane’. Development work on it started in 1958, taking the Mi-6 transport helicopter as its base – using as many of its components and parts to ensure consistency. Taking its control and transmission systems, and its power plant from the Mi-6, it is distinguished by its slim fuselage and original tall four-wheeled chassis that enable it to cope with large loads up to 3.5 metres high or to carry them on a platform under the fuselage. The cargo platform was later fixed to the chassis with hydraulic claws. The Mi-10 boasts a five-blade main rotor and a four-blade tail rotor.

The Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant (a Russian Helicopters company) completed design work on the Mi-10 in 1959, and in June 1960 the helicopter crane first took to the skies. Testing was concluded by 1964, after which it went into serial production at the Rostov-on-Don plant. The first serial-produced Mi-10 helicopter made its first flight in September 1964.

Several modifications of the Mi-10 were produced: the Mi-10GR ELINT helicopter, the Mi-10UPL universal field laboratory transporter, and the Mi-10P helicopter designed to provide airborne electronic counter-measures and targeting support during combat. The first two remained prototypes, but the third saw greater demand: Mi-10P helicopters served in the Soviet Army’s regiments.

The Mi-10K was another, ‘short-legged’, version of the Mi-10. It went into serial production at the plant in March 1974. The helicopter is designed for special construction and transportation work. It had a low, four-legged, chassis and rear-facing pilot cabin under the fuselage nose boasting mechanical control and new radio equipment.

In the Soviet Union, ‘Flying Cranes’ were used for cargo transportation, in installing drilling rigs in oil and gas rich areas of East Siberia and the Far North, for complex installation operations on industrial construction and reconstruction projects. These helicopters significantly decreased both the time this work took and its cost.

The Mi-10 and its various different versions have set 10 world records, including a sensational record for cargo lifting: the helicopter can lift a load weighing 25,105 kg.

Rostvertol produced a total of 24 Mi-10 and 21 Mi-10K helicopters.

Rostvertol, JSC is a subsidiary of Russian Helicopters that produces widely used Mil-brand helicopters and also carries out repair and upgrade work and supplies technical equipment and services. Rostvertol currently mass-produces the Mi-28 Night Hunter (Mi-28NE in its export version); the new Mi-35M combat support helicopter; and the multi-role transport Mi-26T, the world’s heaviest-lift helicopter.

Russian Helicopters, JSC is a subsidiary of UIC Oboronprom, which in turn is a part of State Corporation Rostec. It is one of the global leaders in helicopter production and the only helicopter design and production powerhouse in Russia. Russian Helicopters is headquartered in Moscow. The company comprises five helicopter production facilities, two design bureaus, a spare parts production and repair facility, as well as an aftersale service branch responsible for maintenance and repair in Russia and all over the world. Its helicopters are popular among Russian ministries and state authorities (Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Emergency Control Ministry), operators (Gazpromavia, UTair), major Russian corporations. Over 8000 helicopters of Soviet/Russian make are operated in 110 countries worldwide. Traditionally the demand is highest in the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Russia, and CIS countries. Russian Helicopters was established in 2007. In 2013 its IFRS revenues increased 10% to RUB 138.3 billion. Deliveries reached 275 helicopters.

UIC Oboronprom, JSC is a multi-profile industrial and investment group established in 2002. It is a part of Russian Technologies State Corporation. Its main tasks include: helicopter engineering (Russian Helicopters, JSC) and engine-building (United Engine Industry Corporation managing company).

State Corporation Rostec is a Russian corporation founded in 2007 for the purpose of promoting the development, production and export of hi-tech civilian and military industry products. It comprises 663 organizations, nine of which have now been formed as holding companies of the military-industrial complex and five of them are involved in civil industries. Rostec’s organizations are located in 60 constituent entities of the Russian Federation and supply their products to the markets of more than 70 countries. The revenue of Rostec in 2013 amounted to RUB 1, 04 trillion, with net profit of RUB 40 billion. The tax deductions into the treasuries at all levels exceeded RUB 138 billion.