Army and Weapons | Deadly Mil Mi-28A, The Night Helicopter | The Mil Mi-28A / N attack helicopter is the Russian equivalent of the American Apache helicopter. Developed as a successor of the famous Mi-24 Hind, the Mi-28, known to NATO as Havoc, is a tandem two-seat helicopter optimized for the anti-tank role. This is the latest Russian gunship.
Work on the new helicopter started in the early 70's. Inspired by the Hind, the Havoc was a much smaller helicopter with optimized performance to better suit the hunter-killer anti-tank role. In this respect, Russian engineers decided to use the knowledge gained from the Mi-24 Hind. It was decided that the large cabin of the Hind to remove a low-profile and difficult to detect a helicopter insurance. Due to the new helicopter was faster and more agile than the Hind.
First flights were made in the early 80's, but by this time of the Russian Air Force had decided to Kamov Ka ability-50, Havoc rival field. The project was not abandoned and development performed at a slower pace. In 1988 a new prototype is equipped with an X-tail rotor configuration and new engines to heaven for the first time. A year later, the Mil Mi-28A prototype made its debut at the Paris Air Show. This version was canceled because it is not an all-weather machine.
First flights were made in the early 80's, but by this time of the Russian Air Force had decided to Kamov Ka ability-50, Havoc rival field. The project was not abandoned and development performed at a slower pace. In 1988 a new prototype is equipped with an X-tail rotor configuration and new engines to heaven for the first time. A year later, the Mil Mi-28A prototype made its debut at the Paris Air Show. This version was canceled because it is not an all-weather machine.
The Mil Moscow Helicopter engineers of the plant and not to leave in August 1996 the Mil Mi-28N Night Havoc was rolled out. Providing all-weather capability and lower operating costs than the Ka-50 was quicly be approved by the Russian Air Force. In April 2004 the first production Mi-28N made its first flight and the Russian Air Force began testing the new helicopter in June 2005.
The Night Havoc retains most of the structural characteristics of the first prototypes. It is equipped with a new electronic combat system, new main drive and the new high-efficiency blades with swept-shaped tips. The radar mounted in a circular cover above the main rotor, the Havoc is more similar to the Longbow Apache. With a fully armored cab that the windshield, a top speed of over 300 km / h and an impressive array includes air-air and air-ground missiles, unguided rockets and bombs and guns shelled this is certainly mean attack helicopter. The Russian Air Force plans to 67 Mil Mi-28 Havoc Night acquisition with 16 waiting to be delivered in 2008, the rest of the helicopters to go into service in 2015.
The Night Havoc retains most of the structural characteristics of the first prototypes. It is equipped with a new electronic combat system, new main drive and the new high-efficiency blades with swept-shaped tips. The radar mounted in a circular cover above the main rotor, the Havoc is more similar to the Longbow Apache. With a fully armored cab that the windshield, a top speed of over 300 km / h and an impressive array includes air-air and air-ground missiles, unguided rockets and bombs and guns shelled this is certainly mean attack helicopter. The Russian Air Force plans to 67 Mil Mi-28 Havoc Night acquisition with 16 waiting to be delivered in 2008, the rest of the helicopters to go into service in 2015.
Mi-28N Night Havoc Specifications
Crew 2
Main dimensions 16.85m x 4.81mMain rotor diameter 17.2mHeight of 3.82mLength with Revolving Rotors 21.16m
Weights
Normal Take-Off Weight 10,500 kgMaximum Take-Off Weight 11,500 kgWeight of normal supplies Combat Load 638kgMaximum weight of 1605 kg of supplies Combat LoadEmpty weight 7890 kg
Performance
Maximum flight speed 324 kmhCruise Speed 265 kmhHovering Ceiling 3,700 mService ceiling 5750 mNormal range of flight Take-Off Weight 460 kmFerry range with drop tanks attached 1.105 km
Power Plant2 x TV3-117VMA, each 2200 hp
Weapons
Missiles Anti Tank Guided MissilesGuided Radio, Home Range 8 kmMovable Caliber Gun Mount 30mmAir-Launched Missiles, No. 80 Caliber 80mmAir-Launched Missiles, No. 20 Caliber 130mm
Crew 2
Main dimensions 16.85m x 4.81mMain rotor diameter 17.2mHeight of 3.82mLength with Revolving Rotors 21.16m
Weights
Normal Take-Off Weight 10,500 kgMaximum Take-Off Weight 11,500 kgWeight of normal supplies Combat Load 638kgMaximum weight of 1605 kg of supplies Combat LoadEmpty weight 7890 kg
Performance
Maximum flight speed 324 kmhCruise Speed 265 kmhHovering Ceiling 3,700 mService ceiling 5750 mNormal range of flight Take-Off Weight 460 kmFerry range with drop tanks attached 1.105 km
Power Plant2 x TV3-117VMA, each 2200 hp
Weapons
Missiles Anti Tank Guided MissilesGuided Radio, Home Range 8 kmMovable Caliber Gun Mount 30mmAir-Launched Missiles, No. 80 Caliber 80mmAir-Launched Missiles, No. 20 Caliber 130mm