The Mi-26T2’s advanced avionics suite is wrapped around the NPK-90-2 flight/navigation system comprising an electronic display system of five multifunction liquid-crystal displays (MFD), control panels, integral digital computer, NAVSTAR/GLONASS-capable satellite navigation systems and a digital flight suite. Optional gear includes night-vision goggles (NVG).

To keep an eye on the externally slung cargo in daytime, there is an integral TV device feeding full-colour imagery on to the multifunction display in the cockpit. At night, visual control of the cargo can be exercised by means of the extra TSl-1600 searchlight installed in the fuselage nose section. In addition to the standard mode, the searchlight has the infrared mode for use of NVGs.

The Mi-26T2 helicopter hauls outsized cargo and vehicles weighing a total of 20 t both inside the cargo cabin and on the external sling. The troop carrier variant carries 82 troops, with its casevac version airlifting up to 60 casualties or sick personnel. The machine can be used for civil and erection works of various degrees of complexity, fire-suppression operations and fuel delivery, including self-contained refuelling of vehicles on the ground, and other operations.

The Mi-26T2 upgrade is a contender in the tender issued by the Indian Defence Ministry for 15 heavylift helicopters. A Mi-26T performed a successful series of demonstration flights in India, including some of them in mountainous terrain, and Indian pilots have tested a Mi-26T2 prototype in Rostov-on-Don recently. The potential customer has not spare praise for the aircraft, and experts rate the Mi-26T2’s chances for coming up on top in the Indian tender high enough. The Russian Defence Ministry is eying the Mi-26T2 too. Following a long lull, it has resumed acquisition of a new Mi-26 batch recently. The first new helicopter for the Russian Air Force was rolled out to Rostvertol’s airfield and kicked off its flight test programme in May this year. The Russian military is expected to order the upgraded Mi-26T2 in the future.