The Mil V-12 (NATO reporting name: Homer) is the heaviest helicopter ever built. It was developed by the Soviet Union’s Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant in the 1960s. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 44,098 kg (97,200 lb) and was designed for heavy lift and transport operations.
The V-12 has a unique design, featuring a total of eight rotors arranged in four tandem pairs. Each rotor has a diameter of 30 meters (98 ft), and the aircraft is powered by four engines, one for each tandem pair of rotors. The V-12 was designed to be able to lift heavy payloads such as tanks, armored personnel carriers, and even other helicopters. It also had a cargo bay capable of carrying up to 100 passengers or cargo with a weight of up to 20,000 kg (44,092 lb).
The V-12 was primarily used for military and civil transport roles, and for heavy lift construction projects. Despite its impressive capabilities, only two V-12 prototypes were built, and the program was eventually cancelled due to technical difficulties and high operating costs.