MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of state technology corporation Rostec, said the flying lab was developed on the basis of the Mil Mi-24 (NATO reporting name Hind) attack helicopter.

“The demonstration is an experimental aircraft, a flying laboratory designed for full-scale flight tests of the rotary-winged aircraft’s main rotor systems,” the company’s press service announced Monday.

The company added that main changes to the aircraft included the installation of a new rotor based on recent advances in aerodynamics, durability and production technology.

The so-called flying lab will allow the company to test its main rotor blades, wing variety aerodynamic configurations, as well as vibration and stress levels during high-speed flight.

Russian Helicopters added that one of the main steps in the advanced development of the new high-speed helicopter was to increase helicopter speeds up to 400 kilometers per hour (248 miles per hour) in the first stage, then up to nearly 280 mph in subsequent stages.

The Mil Mi-24 helicopter currently has a maximum speed of 208 mph.

The MAKS air show opens at the Zhukovsky Airfield in Moscow Region on Tuesday and wraps up on Sunday. Over 150 companies from 25 countries are expected to take part in the air show.

Press release RIA Novosti