06:56 GMT, March 30, 2009 WASHINGTON | The Pentagon late Friday awarded an $80.6 million contract to Aeronautical Radio Incorporated (ARINC) of Annapolis, Md., to supervise the sale of 22 Russian-made MI-17CT military helicopters and helicopter avionics to the Iraqi armed forces.

Friday's contract to ARINC to supply the Russian-made MI-17 helicopters to the Iraqi military was reported by the U.S. Army in the Pentagon's Blue Tops contract announcements, yet the portion of the work in the U.S. will be done in Warner Robins, Ga. -- which is home to the U.S. Air Force's Warner Robins Air Logistics Center at Robins Air Force Base, Ga.

Awarding the contract was the Army's Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation in Orlando, Fla. The contract is to be completed by the end of August 2010. The contract number is W900KK-08-C-0011.

Other work for this contract will be in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, (20 precent), and Ulan Ude Russia, (65 precent). Ulan Ude, Russia, is home to the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant, which is the designer and manufacturer of the MI-17 military helicopter -- an export version of the Russian's military's MI-8 combat helicopter.

A first batch of Russian Mi-17 Hip multi-purpose helicopters has been commissioned to the Iraqi army in summer 2007.

The Mi-17 is an improved version of the Mi-8 helicopter, also known as the Mi-8TMB. It is specifically designed for improved capabilities at high altitudes and in hot weather conditions.

Different versions of the MI-17 helicopter are designed specifically for high-altitude military operations and are in service in the mountains of Afghanistan.