Aviation Naval Warfare Land Systems Small Arms By Flag By Year By Tag

Mil Mi-14 (Haze)

History

The Mil Mi-14 (NATO codename "Haze") is a maritime modification of the popular Soviet-era Mi-8 transport helicopter. It retains much of the form and function of its land-based predecessor, but adds capabilities for anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, and mine and mine countermeasures. The Mi-14 has inherent design qualities for landing and launching from water sources, and can be equipped with torpedoes, depth charges, mines and conventionally dropped bombs in the waterproof belly. Although only about 230 were originally built, the type continued to serve with several former Soviet allies.

Production spanned from 1969 to 1986, and the main operator became the Soviet Naval Aviation.

The original Mi-8 flew for the first time as a prototype on July 7, 1961, and entered service in 1967. It is the natural successor to the aging line of Mi-4 helicopters, which originated in the early 1950s.

The Mi-8 has been adopted by various global operators of the type, and these aircraft have served in various roles, with approximately 17,000 produced from 1961 to the present (2017).

From this proven framework, the Mi-14 was born from an initiative in 1968, which led to the prototype designation "V-14". The Mi-8's twin-engine layout was retained, and large portholes were added to the four-point landing gear for water landing and takeoff. Engines of choice were 2 x Klimov TV3-117MT turboshafts to drive a five-bladed main rotor and a three-bladed tail rotor (offset to starboard).

Prototype testing will use the TV2-117 engine. The crew will consist of four people.

The first flight was recorded on August 1, 1967, followed by production in 1973, a huge gap caused by problems with the engine and avionics. In service, the aircraft was designated "Mi-14" and NATO referred to it as "Haze".

The series entered service in May 1976 and remained in service until 1996, when the thawing of relations between the United States and Russia finally forced its withdrawal.

The V-14 represents the prototype used to test the series, and the Mi-14PL ("Haze-A") became the initial production form. This model is used for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and carries a towed Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD) and a sonar tag and search radar. Weapons are torpedoes, depth charges or bombs.

Performance figures include a top speed of 230 km/h and a range (ferry) of 1,135 km. Service is capped at 3,500 meters.

The brand was followed by an improved Mi-14PLM with a new radar adaptation, new anti-submarine warfare equipment and modern digital processing. The Mi-14BT ("Haze-B") is a minesweeping platform without anti-submarine warfare capabilities, about 30 of which are built to standard.

Some ended up serving in the Bulgarian and East German navies. The Mi-14PS ("Haze-C") is a dedicated search and rescue model equipped with equipment suitable for the role.

The Mi-14PZh is a modification of the Mi-14BT for firefighting missions. It was followed by the Mi-14PZh "Eliminator III" in the same form and function. The Mi-14GP is a general-purpose passenger model that accommodates approximately 26 people in relatively comfortable conditions.

The Mi-14P is another model for the civilian market, this model can accommodate 24 people.

The Poles were the main recipients of the Mi-14 and called it Mi-14PL/R. Some of them fly under the SAR name (without ASW gear). The Polish Navy used the related Mi-14PX in SAR training.

Current (2017) operators of the Mi-14 Haze family include Georgia, Libya, North Korea, Pakistan, Poland, Republic of Congo, Syria and Ukraine. The modern Russian navy has called for a restart of the series' front-line service as relations with the United States deteriorate.

These will be restored along with the Navy's Black Sea and Northern Fleet and resume their patrol duties.