Aurus Ansat VIP Helicopters: Now More Than Just Presidential Cars.

Aurus — a brand of executive level and a hallmark of Russia. “Now it’s not just cars, but also aviation technology created in the same style and possessing the same level of comfort. The choice of the Ansat as the basis is not accidental — it is an advanced helicopter that has already been highly valued not only in Russia but also abroad. The new modification confirms the multipurpose nature of the helicopter and its great potential for transformation to meet the needs of various clients,” said Anatoly Serdyukov, industrial director of the aviation cluster of the state corporation Rostec.

“In close cooperation with our colleagues from NAMi, we managed to implement this project in the shortest possible time — the interior design development began in April 2019, immediately after the design project was approved. I am confident that the Ansat will become a worthy addition to the Aurus lineup, and soon, upon the completion of tests, we will be ready to accept orders for the new machine,” noted Andrey Boginsky, general director of the holding Russian Helicopters. During the development of the new design, ergonomic solutions were tested with participants of various anthropometric parameters, as well as computer modeling was utilized.

The Ansat Aurus features a light-protection system with touch control — this technology has been applied for a VIP cabin of a helicopter for the first time. Individual lighting and air ducts create additional comfort for each passenger. USB ports for charging gadgets are also included.

The holding Russian Helicopters notes that the Ansat has the largest cabin in its class, and the design solutions provide even more space, ensuring the necessary comfort that will undoubtedly be appreciated by VIP passengers.

The interior features leather and veneered aluminum. The crew cabin design also differs from the classic: the color scheme matches that of the passenger cabin, with leather elements used in the finish.

At the MAKS-2019 international aerospace salon in Zhukovsky, Moscow region, in August 2019, the Ansat helicopter with a comfort-enhanced cabin, designed in the style of the Aurus brand, was presented. The cabin design project was created by specialists from the Russian Helicopters holding and the NAMi. This modification is aimed at the corporate and VIP transportation market.

The light twin-engine multipurpose helicopter Ansat has been produced by the Kazan Helicopter Plant since 2013.

The Russian Helicopters holding of the state corporation Rostec has received approval from Rosaviatsiya for the production of Ansat helicopters with a comfort-enhanced cabin in the style of the Aurus brand. This allows for the commencement of serial production and supply of the helicopter in this modification.

Certification tests of the Ansat Aurus Design were successfully completed in early February 2020. During the tests, the operability of the equipment installed in the new helicopter cabin and the electromagnetic compatibility with onboard radio-electronic equipment were evaluated.

The maximum takeoff weight of the machine reaches 3.6 tons, while the Ansat can carry over 1.2 tons of useful cargo or seven to eight passengers. Each engine delivers 630 hp, allowing the helicopter to reach a maximum speed of 275 km/h.

According to the developers, the helicopter harmoniously combines traditional and innovative technical solutions. It features the largest cargo cabin in its class (8 m³) and the ability to quickly change the cabin layout. The design allows for the rapid transformation of the machine into either a cargo or passenger version.

The cabin layout includes two VIP passenger seats and three seats for accompanying persons. To improve the cabin ergonomics, tests were conducted involving individuals with varying anthropometric parameters, alongside computer modeling. The Ansat boasts the largest cabin in its class, which, combined with design solutions, ensures maximum comfort for passengers.

The Ansat is a versatile machine that has proven itself in various fields. High reliability, ease of maintenance, compact dimensions, and a spacious cabin make the Ansat one of the best helicopters for passenger transportation. The change in the certificate allowing for the start of serial production of the helicopter with a VIP cabin in the style of the Aurus brand opens new prospects for this machine,” noted Oleg Yevtushenko, executive director of the state corporation Rostec.

“In the very near future, the Ansat Aurus Design will acquire its first operator, and the interest shown in this helicopter at the MAKS airshow gives us hope for new orders. The use of the best domestic technologies and materials, along with attention to detail, are distinguishing features of the Aurus brand, and we, together with our colleagues from NAMi, have strived to create the design of the Ansat helicopter in the best traditions of this brand. The helicopter has high flight technical characteristics and provides an uncompromising level of flight safety,” emphasized Andrey Boginsky, general director of the holding Russian Helicopters.

The design project of the Ansat Aurus Design was carried out by specialists from NAMi — a leading Russian scientific organization in the field of automotive engineering, developer and manufacturer of a lineup of luxury class vehicles under the Aurus brand. The Ansat in the style of the Aurus brand was first showcased at the static display of the Russian Helicopters holding during the MAKS-2019 airshow. At that time, the helicopter produced by Kazan Helicopter Plant was inspected by Vladimir Putin and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The light multipurpose helicopter Ansat was designed by the design bureau of the Kazan Helicopter Plant. The machine is equipped with two engines and can be used for passenger and VIP transportation, cargo delivery, environmental monitoring, and as an air ambulance. High-altitude tests of the Ansat have been successfully completed, confirming its capability to operate in mountainous terrain at altitudes of up to 3,500 meters. The helicopter can be used in a temperature range from -45 to +50 degrees Celsius.

Currently, Russian operators are using more than 80 helicopters, including 20 in medical configuration. There is also demand in the global market for rotorcraft. A contract for the supply of 20 Ansats to China is already in place. According to the head of Russian Helicopters, the total order portfolio for this machine amounts to about 100 units.

Rostec plans to deliver the first luxury class Ansat Aurus helicopter to the customer already in 2020.

"At present, we are in advanced negotiations with several customers, and we expect to deliver the first helicopter this year," he said. Artyakov added that at the beginning of the year, the Ansat Aurus successfully completed a series of flight tests, following which Rosaviatsiya approved changes to the helicopter's certificate, permitting the operation of the Ansat in this modification.

"As for production plans, corporate helicopters, including the Ansat Aurus, are unique and exclusive products worldwide. Large-scale methods of sales planning do not quite apply here. Therefore, the production volume will largely be determined by the needs and wishes of our customers," noted Artyakov.

Previously, the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, Denis Manturov, stated that the sales of the Ansat Aurus helicopter are planned to be at the level of 20-25 units per year starting from 2021.

Ansat Aurus Specifications

Flight Technical Characteristics

Max. speed 275 km/h

Cruising speed 220 km/h

Max. flight range with main tanks 505 km

Service ceiling 5500 m

Static ceiling out of ground effect 2900 m

Mass Characteristics

Max. takeoff weight 3600 kg

Max. useful load in transport cabin 1166 kg

Engines GT (2xPW207K, Pratt & Whitney)

Power in takeoff mode 2x 630 hp

Maximum continuous power 2x 558 hp