Jordan receives first Mi-26T2 heavy-lift helicopter


According to pictures recently released on social medias, The Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) has received its first Mi-26T2 heavy lift helicopter. Jordan signed a contract for the purchase of four Mi-26T2 choppers on April 17, 2016. Flight tests of the first aircraft began in October 2017.


Jordan receives first of four Mi 26T2 heavy lift helicopte 640 001 RJAF first Mi-26T2 heavy-lift helicopter reportedly landing in Amman, Jordan
(Credit: RJAF)


"The first of the four Mi-26T2 heavy lift helicopters ordered for the RJAF has arrived in Jordan," Brigadier General Odeh Shudaifat, a spokesperson for Jordanian military,said. He did not specify the terms of delivery of the remaining three helicopters.

The Mi-26T2 is the latest variant of the world's biggest rotary-wing airlifting platform, the Mi-26. According to the helicopter's manufacturer, the Russian Helicopters holding (a subsidiary of the Rostec state corporation), the Mi-26T2 features 'glass cockpit'.

The increased level of automation has allowed reducing the platform's crew from five-six to three pilots (plus operator of the external sling system). The official portfolio of the Russian Helicopters says that the Mi-26T2 heavy transport helicopter has a maximum takeoff weight of 56,000 kg, a useful payload of 20,000 kg, a maximum speed of 270 km/h, a service ceiling of 4,600 m and a flight range of 800 km (with main fuel tanks).