Russian Helicopters’ Ulan Ude factory has delivered the first fuselage for the Mil Mi-171A2 to its Mil Moscow plant for completion of one of two test aircraft, the company said on Monday.

The company is planning a major modification of the Mi-171, including more powerful engines, composite main rotor, an X-shaped tail rotor, and integrated cockpit displays and navigation system.

Mil plans to hand over two complete airframes for testing by the end of 2012.

Mil hopes to increase the aircraft’s range to 850 kilometers on internal fuel, external payload to 5,000 kilograms and boost cruising speed and crosswind limits. The machine will be able to operate in conditions of plus or minus 50 degrees Celsius (from 120 degrees Fahrenheit to minus 45 Fahrenheit). The new aircraft will also have significantly reduced running cost per hour, Mil claims.

The Mi-171A2 will be certified in Russia and abroad after a series of ground and flight tests. The aircraft is expected to go in production by the end of 2014.