Mil Mi-14

The Mil Mi-14 (Template:Langx, NATO reporting name: Haze) is a Soviet shore-based nuclear-capable amphibious anti-submarine helicopter derived from the earlier Mi-8.

Design and development

Formal development of an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) version of the Mil Mi-8 transport helicopter was authorised by the Soviet Communist Party Central Committee and Council of Ministers in April 1965, with the objective of replacing the Mil Mi-4 in the short-range, shore based anti-submarine role. The new helicopter was required to have an endurance of 2 hours on station at a radius of Template:Convert from base.<ref name="Mlad1 p184-6">Mladenov Air International March 2001, pp. 184–186.</ref>

The new design (with the internal designation V-14) differed from the Mi-8 in having a boat-like hull similar to the Sea King, allowing it to operate off the water, and a retractable four-point undercarriage,<ref group="N">The first retractable undercarriage to be used in a Soviet helicopter.<ref name="Mlad1 p186">Mladenov Air International March 2001, p. 186.</ref></ref> with the mainwheels retracting into large sponsons on the rear of the fuselage. The helicopter was to be powered by two Klimov TV3-117MT turboshaft engines.<ref name="Mlad1 p186"/> A watertight weapons bay is fitted to the centreline of the fuselage allowing internal carriage of a single torpedo or eight depth charges, while a radome housing a search radar is fitted beneath the nose.<ref name="Mlad1 p186"/><ref name="Gunst Rus p238">Gunston 1995, p. 238.</ref>

The Mi-14 has a crew of four: a pilot, a copilot, an onboard technician, and a weapon system operator. The Mi-14PL anti-submarine version is equipped with a radar, a dipping sonar and a magnetic anomaly detector.<ref name="mil mi-14 red samovar"/>

The first prototype V-14, converted from a Mi-8 and powered by the older and less powerful Klimov TV2-117 engines, flew on 1 August 1967.<ref name="Mlad1 p186"/> Development was slowed by problems with the helicopter's avionics and due to reliability problems with the TV3-117 engines, with production at Kazan not starting until 1973, and the helicopter (now designated Mi-14) entering service on 11 May 1976.<ref name="Mlad1 p186"/>

In January 2016, Russian Helicopters confirmed to Russian News Agency TASS that no final decision to revive production had been taken, but market demand, feasibility studies – including with Moscow's defence ministry – and funding sources were under review. The programme remains a “priority” for Russian Helicopters. The company suggested the Mi-14 would appeal to civil operators in Russia's far north and those supplying the oil and gas industry, alongside the nation's armed forces. Out of the almost 300 Mi-14s produced at Kazan Helicopters between 1973 and 1986, it is estimated that just 44 examples remain in active service.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Variants

File:SSCN5028.JPG

Georgian Mi-14

V-14

Prototype of the Mi-14 helicopter.<ref name="Gunst Rus p238"/>

Mi-14PL (NATO Haze-A)

Anti-submarine warfare helicopter, equipped with towed APM-60 MAD, OKA-2 sonobuoys and a retractable Type 12-M search radar, armed with either a single AT-1 or APR-2 torpedo, one Skat nuclear depth bomb or eight depth charges.<ref name="Gunst Rus p238"/><ref name="Mlad1 p187-8">Mladenov Air International March 2001, pp. 187–188.</ref> A single Mi-14PL was used to carry out trials with the Kh-23 (NATO designation AS-7 Kerry) air-to-surface missile but this modification does not seem to have entered service.<ref name="Mlad1 p188">Mlandenov Air International March 2001, p. 188.</ref>

Mi-14PLM

Improved anti-submarine warfare version with Os'minog ASW suite, with new search radar, dipping sonar and digital computer. Limited use.<ref name="Mlad2 p244">Mladenov Air International April 2001, p. 244.</ref>

Mi-14PŁ/R

Polish conversion of two Mi-14PŁ (Polish designation for Mi-14PL) to search and rescue version, with ASW equipment removed, developed in 2010.<ref name=mi14plr>Adam Gołąbek, Andrzej Wrona, Śmigłowce Mi-14PŁ/R w służbie, in: Lotnictwo Nr. 7/2011, pp. 40–47 (in Polish).</ref>

Mi-14BT (NATO Haze-B)

Mine sweeping helicopter with ASW systems removed and equipped for towing Mine Countermeasures sleds. 25–30 built, with six exported to East Germany and two to Bulgaria.<ref name="Mlad2 p244"/>

Mi-14PS (NATO Haze-C)

Search and rescue version with search lights and sliding doors with hoist.<ref name="Mlad2 p245">Mladenov Air International April 2001, p. 245.</ref>

Mi-14PX

Search and rescue training helicopter for the Polish Navy (unofficial designation). One Polish Mi-14PŁ helicopter was temporarily converted into the Mi-14PX, then converted back in 1996.<ref name=mi14plr/>

Mi-14PZh

File:Mil Mi-14 of Polish Navy (reg. 1011), static display, Radom AirShow 2005, Poland.jpg

Polish Navy's Mi-14PŁ on display at Radom Air Show 2005

Amphibious firebuster version of Mi-14BT.<ref name="Mlad2 p246">Mladenov Air International April 2001, p. 246.</ref> Conversion price about USD1M.

Mi-14GP

Conversion of Mi-14PL to 24–26 seat civil passenger transport.<ref name="Mlad2 p246"/>

Operational history

As part of the Syrian civil war, starting from 2013, Syrian Navy Mi-14 helicopters were used as improvised bombers to drop naval mines and barrel bombs on large area targets from high altitude, mostly cities held by opposing forces.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 22 March 2015, one crashed with its pilot killed on the spot after capture and the rest of the crew captured.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 7 May 2022, Ukraine confirmed that Colonel Ihor Bedzay, the deputy head of the Ukrainian Navy, was killed when his Mi-14PS was shot down by a Russian Su-35.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A video emerged, claimed shot on 7 May 2022, showing a Su-27 family fighter engaging a Mi-14 with its 30 mm gun.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Operators

By 1991, about 230 had been delivered, with exports to many Soviet allies including Bulgaria, Cuba, East Germany, Libya, Poland, and Syria.

Current operators

{{#invoke

flag||Georgia (country)|name=Georgia}}

• Georgian Air Force<ref name="World Air Forces 2018">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

File:Polish Mi-14PS.jpg

Polish Navy Mi-14PS

Template:LBA

• Libyan Air Force<ref name="World Air Forces 2018"/>

File:Libyan Air Force Mil Mi-14PL Lofting.jpg

Libyan Air Force Mi-14

{{#invoke

flag||Poland}}

• Polish Navy<ref name="World Air Forces 2018"/>

Template:COG

• Congolese Navy<ref name="World Air Forces 2018"/>

Template:SYR

• Syrian Air Force<ref name="World Air Forces 2018"/>
• Syrian Navy

File:Mi-14PL.jpg

Ukrainian Navy Mi-14PL

{{#invoke

flag||Ukraine}}

• Ukrainian Naval Aviation<ref name="World Air Forces 2018"/> - operated by 10th Naval Aviation BrigadeTemplate:Cn

Template:YEM

• Yemen Air Force<ref name="World Air Forces 2018"/>

Former operators

Template:BUL

• Bulgarian Navy<ref name="World’s Air Forces 2013">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Template:CUB

• Cuban Air Force<ref name="World’s Air Forces 2013"/>

Template:DDR

• East German Navy<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

File:Mil Mi-14BT, S9-TAJ, Aerotec International.jpg

Mi-14BT at Aerotec International

Template:ETH

• Ethiopian Air Force<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Template:GER

• German Navy<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

{{#invoke

flag||Russia|}}

• Russian Naval Aviation<ref name="World’s Air Forces 2013"/>

Template:Flag

• People's Democratic Republic of Yemen Air Force<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Template:USSR

• Soviet Naval Aviation<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Template:YUG

• Yugoslav Air Force<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> Template:PAK

• Pakistan Navy

Possible Operators

Template:PRK

• Korean People's Army Air Force claimed to be an operator by some sources<ref name="World Air Forces 2018"/> but described as a mistake by others.<ref name=Mitzer99>Template:Cite book</ref>

Specifications (Mi-14PL)

File:Mil Mi-14 orthographical image.svg

References

Bibliography

• Gunston, Bill. The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995. London: Osprey, 1995. Template:ISBN.
• Mladenov, Alexander. "Cutting through the Haze". Air International, March 2001, pp. 184–188. ISSN 0306-5634.
• Mladenov, Alexander. "Cutting through the Haze: Part 2". Air International, April 2001, pp. 244–247. ISSN 0306-5634.

Template:Refend The initial version of this article was based on material from aviation.ru. It has been released under the GFDL by the copyright holder.

External links

• Walkaround Mi-14PL (Kiev)
• Walkaround Mi-14BT (Kiev)
• Mil Mi-14 page at Aviation.ru website
• Robert Wasilewski Mil Mi-14 page
• Mil Mi-14 for Microsoft Flight Simulator
• Mi-14 Photo Gallery Template:Webarchive