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The Russian Navy has reportedly expressed interest in resurrecting the once-feared nuclear-capable Mi-14 anti-submarine helicopter. In the 1990s, Washington insisted on their decommissioning, along with strategic bombers and ballistic missiles. Following the news two weeks ago that Russia is preparing to renew production of the Tu-160 ‘Blackjack’ supersonic strategic bomber and missile carrier, it’s reported that the Mil Mi-14 Soviet anti-submarine helicopter could soon be back on production line.
Business Online media outlet from Russia's Republic of Tatarstan, where the Mi-14 was produced, says that its capital's Kazan Helicopter Works (KVZ) is preparing to return the Mi-14 to the Russian Navy. KVZ has not commented on the news, but a source within the works says the re-commissioning issue has been raised. The Mil Mi-14 is a shore-based amphibious helicopter armed with (optionally) a torpedo, twelve 64kg or eight 120kg depth bombs. This submarine killer also had very special ammo in its arsenal: a 1 kiloton nuclear antisubmarine bomb weighting 1,600kg, capable of scuttling any underwater target within a radius of 800 meters. The chopper not only had a unique capability of landing on water, but was an all-weather long-range helicopter capable of operating as far as 300km offshore. The helicopter could stay airborne for 5.5 hours and cover a total distance of 1,100km. Its sonars, magnetometers, hydroacoustic beacons and other special submarine-tracking equipment were highly-advanced and effectively detected all types of submarines. Once spotted, a sub was doomed and could not escape.
Read more:
Re-commissioned? Soviet nuke- capable sub-killing copter comeback slated
Business Online media outlet from Russia's Republic of Tatarstan, where the Mi-14 was produced, says that its capital's Kazan Helicopter Works (KVZ) is preparing to return the Mi-14 to the Russian Navy. KVZ has not commented on the news, but a source within the works says the re-commissioning issue has been raised. The Mil Mi-14 is a shore-based amphibious helicopter armed with (optionally) a torpedo, twelve 64kg or eight 120kg depth bombs. This submarine killer also had very special ammo in its arsenal: a 1 kiloton nuclear antisubmarine bomb weighting 1,600kg, capable of scuttling any underwater target within a radius of 800 meters. The chopper not only had a unique capability of landing on water, but was an all-weather long-range helicopter capable of operating as far as 300km offshore. The helicopter could stay airborne for 5.5 hours and cover a total distance of 1,100km. Its sonars, magnetometers, hydroacoustic beacons and other special submarine-tracking equipment were highly-advanced and effectively detected all types of submarines. Once spotted, a sub was doomed and could not escape.
Read more:
Re-commissioned? Soviet nuke- capable sub-killing copter comeback slated