The Development Strategy for an integrated Russian helicopter-manufacturing industry by 2020 defines Russian Helicopters’ Strategic Development Goal competitive part of the global helicopter business.
One of the most important ways of fostering competitiveness has been the creation of a system of innovation at Russian Helicopters that brings together related processes and mechanisms for scientific and industrial development. The main goal of the system is to ensure the effectiveness of the entire cycle of innovation in creating helicopter technology: idea → investment → development → implementation → competitiveness → profitability.
The scientific rationale for the innovation system is laid out in the group's Programme for Innovative Development, which was approved by the board of Russian Helicopters in March 2011.
The Programme for Innovative Development is a system of research and development activities, technological and manufacturing programmes, institutional measures and engineering work coordinated by tasks, resources and timing for the purposes of creating a competitive Russian helicopter industry.
Innovative projects are grouped as follows:
R&D on Advanced Innovative Helicopters
The most important R&D activities currently underway are the development of an advanced high-speed helicopter and the Unmanned Systems programme.
The advanced high-speed helicopter is a new “breakthrough” project that involves innovative engineering and technological solutions and the creation of technology that will later be tapped for the group’s entire line of helicopters. The creation of advanced high-speed helicopters is designed to support sales volumes through 2020 and a greater proportion of high-tech, innovative products achieved through cost-effective changes in the group’s manufacturing structure.
The Unmanned Systems programme will create a line of competitive unmanned medium- and long-range helicopter systems for civil and military use.
R&D on Advanced, Innovative Helicopter-Manufacturing Technologies
Russian Helicopters’ integrated programme to develop Vertical helicopter technologies functions as a corporate technological platform and involves research in the following key areas to produce competitive helicopter technology:
- EvoGREEN (eco-friendly helicopters)
- EvoLOCITY (advanced high-speed helicopters)
- EvoSAFE (safe helicopters)
- EvoSMART (smart helicopters)
- EvoLOGY (development of advanced technologies).
The science and technology produced by the programme will be used to modernise the group and design advanced helicopters for mass production.
Operational Modernisation and Technical Upgrades
Operational modernisation and technical upgrades includes the establishment of centres of excellence – three Assembly Facilities, two Modular Facilities and two Specialised Facilities – and measures to improve the equipment and technology used in helicopter production.
These measures will help the group to achieve new manufacturing standards, higher quality, lower prices and reduced timeframes for helicopter production.
Creation of an Infrastructure for Innovation
One of the most important activities in creating an infrastructure for innovation at Russian Helicopters is the establishment of a scientific and technical complex for helicopter building as part of the helicopter engineering centre. Experimental research, test production and flight test centres are also essential.
The main objective of the scientific and technical complex is the consolidation and accelerated promotion of research and experimental testing and engineering to improve innovative design productivity, reducing development time and costs and promoting competitiveness.
Activities supporting innovative development in the following areasare also planned:
- increasing the energy efficiency of manufacturing operations and labour productivity;
- creating a QA system;
- professional training of employees responsible for technological development;
- improving post-sales service;
- improving intellectual property rights management, etc.
Implementation of the Programme for Innovative Development will contribute significantly to the development of the Russian helicopter industry to 2020 and will enable it to achieve 27% of the total export market and 90% of the Russian helicopter market.
As a result of the industry's innovative development up to 2020, development time for new helicopters will be reduced to 5-7 years and production costs will decrease by 12-15%, all while guaranteeing a high level of technology and product quality.
