The Kazan Ansat is manufactured and designed by Kazan Helicopters in Kazan, Tartarstan.

The Ansat is a multi-purpose light utility helicopter, created as a response to the need for light helicopters in Russia and the looming obsolescence of the Mil Mi-2 fleet that became apparent in the 1990s. The Ansat first took flight in 1999 and commercial operation was approved in 2013.

In many ways the Ansat’s design and construction reflect textbook helicopter engineering. It takes 11 occupants, of which two can be crew. The Ansat can carry 2200 lbs. (1000 kg) of internal cargo or 2866 lbs. (1300 kg) of slung load. Two Pratt & Whitney PW207K turboshaft engines provide the lift, but a single engine is sufficient to maintain flight in the event of failure.

Although the airframe design of the Ansat isn’t revolutionary in any sense, its flight control system is an excellent example of modern avionics and flight control systems. It sports an onboard information system, multi-functional indicators and a failure warning system. What is notable about the largely metal airframe is that its non-load bearing components are made from composite materials, which saves on total weight. The blades are layered fiberglass.

Thanks to its straightforward design, efficient running costs and capable specifications, the Ansat can be used for cargo and passenger transport, surveillance, search and rescue, firefighting and medevac missions. It can fly in inclement weather, has an automatic pilot mode and boasts the largest cabin for its class, accommodating up to eight passengers. Considerable versatility for a $2 million helicopter.

The Ansat has also caught the eye of the military. The Ansat-U variant is a military trainer aircraft with dual controls. More than 30 such Ansat-Us are in service. Further proposed variants include the Ansat-UT (which has wheels instead of skids), the Ansat-M air ambulance and the Ansat-UM military medevac.

The Ansat is also being repurposed as a military scout helicopter in the form of the Ansat 2RC. The 2RC looks much closer to attack helicopters such as the Apache, with its tandem cockpit, but underneath it is still very much an Ansat. The 2RC has a 0.5 in. (12,7mm) machine gun and four hardpoints, which have been seen in demonstrations to hold a mixture of rockets, missiles and bombs.

• Hydro-mechanical control system

The Kazan Ansat is manufactured and designed by Kazan Helicopters in Kazan, Tartarstan.

The Ansat is a multi-purpose light utility helicopter, created as a response to the need for light helicopters in Russia and the looming obsolescence of the Mil Mi-2 fleet that became apparent in the 1990s. The Ansat first took flight in 1999 and commercial operation was approved in 2013.

In many ways the Ansat’s design and construction reflect textbook helicopter engineering. It takes 11 occupants, of which two can be crew. The Ansat can carry 2200 lbs. (1000 kg) of internal cargo or 2866 lbs. (1300 kg) of slung load. Two Pratt & Whitney PW207K turboshaft engines provide the lift, but a single engine is sufficient to maintain flight in the event of failure.

Although the airframe design of the Ansat isn’t revolutionary in any sense, its flight control system is an excellent example of modern avionics and flight control systems. It sports an onboard information system, multi-functional indicators and a failure warning system. What is notable about the largely metal airframe is that its non-load bearing components are made from composite materials, which saves on total weight. The blades are layered fiberglass.

Thanks to its straightforward design, efficient running costs and capable specifications, the Ansat can be used for cargo and passenger transport, surveillance, search and rescue, firefighting and medevac missions. It can fly in inclement weather, has an automatic pilot mode and boasts the largest cabin for its class, accommodating up to eight passengers. Considerable versatility for a $2 million helicopter.

The Ansat has also caught the eye of the military. The Ansat-U variant is a military trainer aircraft with dual controls. More than 30 such Ansat-Us are in service. Further proposed variants include the Ansat-UT (which has wheels instead of skids), the Ansat-M air ambulance and the Ansat-UM military medevac.

The Ansat is also being repurposed as a military scout helicopter in the form of the Ansat 2RC. The 2RC looks much closer to attack helicopters such as the Apache, with its tandem cockpit, but underneath it is still very much an Ansat. The 2RC has a 0.5 in. (12,7mm) machine gun and four hardpoints, which have been seen in demonstrations to hold a mixture of rockets, missiles and bombs.

• Hydro-mechanical control system