roles in war or peacetime.
Designation: Mil Mi-24 / Mi-25 / Mi-35 (Hind)
Classification Type: Attack Helicopter
Contractor: Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant - Soviet Union
Country of Origin: Soviet Union
Initial Year of Service: 1973
Number Built: 2,000
The Mil-produced series of "Hind" helicopters was a favorite Cold War-relic
and continues (albeit modernized) in many of today's armies including
Russias. The heavy helicopter is capable of commanding various battlefield
roles, both in peacetime and wartime, and has seen extensive combat in a
variety of war zones ranging from Africa through the Middle East and into
Russia.
The Mi-24 is built on the systems of the Mi-8 "Hip" transport helicopter and
incorporates systems and subsystems from the Mi-17 series. Original Mi-24's
featured a 'glass house' cockpit very dissimilar from the more familiar
tandem, stepped cockpit pictured. The fuselage is very adaptable, capable of
carrying up to eight combat-ready troops or passengers or four loaded
stretchers. Wing systems allow for a plethora of armament to be loaded, with
the most standard being rocket pods, gun pods and anti-tank missile systems.
Wingstubs compliment the armament by allowing the ability to arm the
helicopter with air-to-air missiles for self-defense. An under-nose mounted
powered turret system rounds out the list of firepower amenities available
to the pilot and gunner.
The Mi-24 has seen action in the Soviet War in Afghanistan where Mi-24's
were frequent targets of US-provided Stinger surface-to-air missile systems.
The Mi-24 was used to popular affect in the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980's,
where they squared off against US-provided AH-1 Cobra helicopters (Saddam
Hussein would later implement the Mi-24's in Iraq again to put down rebel
uprisings throughout the country). The Hind was used in the Nicaraguan Civil
War, Sri Lanka, the invasion of Kuwait, the Russian-Chechnya wars, in Sierra
Leone, Kosovo, Ivory Coast and as recently as the Congo. The Hind-series is
a popular alternative in many countries where a full-fledged air force is
not affordable or needed, as evident by it's use in warring African
countries.
The Hind-D model was the turning point for the system as it incorporated the
new (fully-armored) cockpit seating and the four-barrel powered turret. In
all, the Hind-series has seen it's fair share of action around the globe.
Though not a perfect weapon system by any stretch, it has faired quite well
when fighting on traditional fronts and not so well when up against
guerilla-type forces. It is interesting to note that the US Army owns a few
Hind helicopters for training purposes. The Hind may also be known as "The
Crocodile" or the "Devil's Chariot".
Variants
V-24 (Hind) - Protype
Mi-24 (Hind-A) - First production model
Mi-24A (Hind-B) - Based on Hind-A sans nose armament
Mi-24U (Hind-C) - Training variant sans armament
Mi-24D (Hind-D) - Definitive variant; Features specialized electronics for
anti-tank guided missiles; 'Stepped' armored tandem-seating cockpit; Single
12.7mm four-barrel machine gun system in under-nose turret.
Mi-24DU - Training variant with dual-controls for instructor / student.
Mi-24V (Hind-E) - Updated anti-tank missiles and firing/acquisition system.
Mi-24P (Hind-F) - Undernose-mounted 12.7mm machine gun replaced with fixed
30mm cannon.
Mi-24RKR (Hind-G1) - NBC reconnaissance varient (model covers Mi-24R,
Mi-24RR and Mi-24RKh as well).
Mi-24K (Hind-G2) : Artillery spotter model
Mi-24VM - Uupdated avionics; Improve night-flight systems, updated
communications, modernized througout.
Mi-24PM - Upgraded Mi-24P model with Mi-24VM systems.
Mi-24PN - Attack helicopter standard and modernization standard.
Mi-24W - Polish-built Mi-24V variant
Mi-24PS - Police variant
Mi-24E - Environmental Research craft
Mi-24 SuperHind Mk II - South African-produced model featuring updated
avionics.
Mi-24 SuperHind Mk III/IV - Modernization of Mi-24 base model.
Mi-25 - Export version of Mi-24D
Mi-35 - Export version of Mi-24V
Mi-35P - Export version of Mi-24P
Mi-35U - Unarmed training version of Mi-35
Specifications for the
Dimensions:
Length: 57.41ft (17.50m)
Width: 21.29ft (6.49m)
Height: 13.02ft (3.97m)
Performance: About MACH
Max Speed: 208mph (335kmh; 181kts)
Max Range: 99miles (160km)
Rate-of-Climb:2,460ft/min (750m/min)
Service Ceiling: 14,747ft (4,495m; 2.8miles)
Structure:
Accommodation: 3 + 8
Hardpoints: 6 (including wingstubs)
Empty Weight: 18,078lbs (8,200kg)
MTOW: 26,455lbs (12,000kg)
Powerplant:
Engine(s): 2 x Klimov TV3-117 Turboshaft engines driving a five-blade main
rotor and a three-blade tail rotor.
Armament Suite:
1 x 12.7mm four-barrel machine gun OR 2 x 23mm cannons OR 2 x 30mm cannons
in under-nose turret.
2 x Anti-Tank Missiles
4 x Rocket Pods
4 x Gun Pods
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