Mil Mi-28

Mil Mi-28 on display.

The Mil Mi-28 (NATO reporting name Havoc) is a Russian tandem two-seat anti-armour attack helicopter.

It is a dedicated attack helicopter with no intended secondary transport capability, better optimized than the Mi-24 for the anti-tank role. Carries a single gun in an undernose barbette, plus external loads carried on pylons beneath stub wings.

Development

Development began following completion of the Mi-24, a unique attack helicopter with transport capablity, in 1972. The new design was inspired by Mi-24 (and not AH-64, as certain western sources like to believe) minus the transport capability, omitted the cabin, delivering better overall performance and higher top speed, important for its intended role fighting against tanks and enemy helicopters and covering helicopter landing operations. Initially, many different designs were considered, including an unconventional project with two main rotors, placed with engines on tips of wings (in perpendicular layout), and with additional pusher propeller on the tail. In 1977, a preliminary design was chosen, in a classic single-rotor layout. It lost its similarity to the Mi-24, and even the canopies were smaller, with flat surfaces.

In 1981, a design and a mock-up were accepted. The prototype (no. 012) was first flown on November 10, 1982, followed by the second prototype (no. 022), built in 1983. In 1984 it completed the first stage of state trials, but in October 1984 the Soviet Air Force chose the more advanced Kamov Ka-50 as the new anti-tank helicopter. The Mi-28 development was continued, but given lower priority. In December 1987 Mi-28 production in Rosvertol in Rostov on Don was approved.

Mil Mi-28A.

In January 1988 the first Mi-28A prototype flew (no. 032). It was fitted with stronger engines and "X" type tail rotor instead of a standard three-blade variant. This new version debuted at the Paris Air Show in June 1989. In 1991 second Mi-28A was built (no. 042). The Mi-28A program was cancelled in 1993 because it was deemed uncompetitive with the Ka-50, and in particular, it was not all-weather capable. In 1990 the design bureau signed an agreement to export Mi-28A parts to Iraq and for assembly as the Mi-28L, but these plans were disrupted by the Gulf War.

Yet another variant, the Mi-28N, was unveiled in 1995, the N designation meaning "night". The prototype (no. 014) flew on November 14, 1996. The most significant feature is a radar in a round cover above the main rotor, similar to that of the American AH-64D Longbow Apache. It also has improved Tor vision and aiming device under the nose, including a TV camera and FLIR. Due to funding problems, development was interrupted. A second prototype with an improved rotor design was unveiled in March 2004 at Rosvertol.

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Mil Mi-28 gun mounting.

A changed military situation after the Cold War made specialized anti-tank helicopters, like Ka-50, less useful. On the other hand, its all-weather two-seater variant Ka-52 had worse performance due to increased weight. The advantages of the Mi-28N, like all-weather action ability, lower cost, similarity to the Mi-24, have become important. In 2003, a chief of Russian Air Forces stated that Mi-28N will become the standard Russian attack helicopter. [link]

The first serial Mi-28N was passed to the Army [link]. The aircraft will join the two pre-serial machines which are used for army trials. The aircraft, along with Ka-50/Ka-52 has entered service [link]. Up to 10 helicopters will be purchased in 2006 [link].

There is an export variant Mi-28NE and a simpler day-helicopter variant Mi-28D based on the Mi-28N design, but lacking radar and FLIR.

Description

Mil Mi-28 nose sensors.

The Mi-28 has two heavily armoured cockpits, a remarkable nose full with electronic equipment, and a narrow-X tail rotor.

Two 2200hp Isotov TV-3-117VM. (t/n 014) X-type tail rotor (55 deg) to reduce noise.

While the Mi-28 is not intended for use as a transport, it does have a small passenger compartment capable of carrying three persons. The planned purpose of this is to enable the rescue of downed helicopter crews.

Variants

Mil Mi-28 weapons load.

Mi-28A - tank killer. original development. lost competition to Ka-50. 1998 - development. 2004 - first flights.
Mi-28N/MMW Havoc - All weather day-and-night combat helicopter. It is equipped with a top-mounted millimeter wave radar station, IR-TV, and laser ranger. Serial Mi-28N will have two TV3-117V MA-SB3 engines (2500hp each), max take off mass of 11500kg, max payload mass of 2350kg, max horizontal speed 324km/h, cruise speed of 280km/h, static ceiling of 3700m, range of 500km superseding AH-64 in all these parameters. Mi-28N carry 9M120 and 9A2200 missiles, 30 mm turret mounted cannon with 250 rounds, 80 mm S-8 and 130 mm rockets, bombs, and napalm tanks. First a/c costs USD15M, next serial a/c will cost about USD12M (export price).
:Mi-28N has been entered service under the name of "Night Hunter" (Russian: ). A squadron of Mi-28N from Torzhok town has taken part in the joint army excersize in Belorussia in June 2006.
Mi-28D - simplified daylight operation version. Similar to Mi-28N, but without top-mounted radar and TV-channel in sight. Unit price USD 15M..17M.
Mi-28NAe - export version? offered to Korea.
Mi-40 - fighter/transport version (?)

The initial version of this article was based on material from [aviation.ru]. It has been released under the GFDL by the copyright holder.

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Specifications (Mi-28A, 1987)

External links