Russian air force.
Designation: Mil Mi-28 (Havoc)
Classification Type: Attack Helicopter
Contractor: Mil - Russia
Country of Origin: Soviet Union
Initial Year of Service: 1983
Number Built: 325
Operators: Soviet Union (Russia)
The Mi-28 (NATO reporting name of "Havoc") was a product of the Cold War
designed as an anti-tank attack platform similar in nature to the
American-produced AH-64 Apache series. Like the Apache, the Mi-28 featured
an armored cockpit for its two occupants, an under-fuselage cannon and
wingstubs for anti-tank munitions. The Mi-28 definitely has some design
features of the Mi-24 "Hind" series, on which it is based on but is a more
capable and dedicated anti-tank performer.
The Mi-28 system was on the drawing board by early 1980 and flew in
head-to-head competition trials with the Kamov Ka-50 design. Though the
eventual loser in the trials, the Mi-28 was still accepted for additional
development and became life on the production lines by 1987 as the Mi-28A,
being debuted in a Paris-based air show in 1989. Though production for the
initial series did not last long, the system still continued appearing in
variants that would include dedicated daytime combat versions and
daytime/nighttime platforms. Through several more years the Mi-28 eventually
superceded the Ka-50 as the standard Russian attack helicopter thanks to the
post-Cold War world. The Mi-28 proved more adaptable to new battlefield
requirements and was cheaper to produce, providing the edge that the system
needed against its early rival.
The Havoc features a distinct elongated nose design which houses electronic
equipment. The crew of two (pilot in rear with the gunner up front) sit in
tandem in a fully armored cockpit. Power is derived from two Klimov-brand
turboshaft engines driving a five-blade main rotor and a four blade tail
rotor while generating some 1,950 horsepower each. Interestingly enough,
with the classification of attack helicopter, the Mi-28 Havoc features
additional passenger seating in a three-man crew compartment aft of the main
cockpit. If anything, this serves moreso as a rescue feature for other down
airmen than for the transporting armed combatants into battle. Standard
armament is a single powered 30mm cannon in a chin mounting while wingstubs
provide hardpoints for anti-tank missiles, rocket pods and gunpods.
Russia is the sole operator of the Mi-28 Havoc series, though an export
version has been offered to North Korea. Though only some 10 or so Havocs
are currently active in the Russian inventory, it is expected that at
delivery's end in 2015, some 325 will be available to the air force.
Variants
Mi-28A - Original Developmental and Trial Model
Mi-28N/MMW - All-Weather Day/Night Attack Helicopter; improved Mi-28A model
Mi-28D - Daytime Combat Helicopter
Mi-28N - Dedicated Nightime Operations Platform.
Mi-28NAe - North Korean Export Version
Mi-28L - Proposed Iraqi Export Version
Mi-40 - Proposed transport/fighter concept
Specifications for the Mil Mi-28A (Havoc)
Dimensions:
Length: 55.81ft (17.01m)
Width: 0.00ft (0.00m)
Height: 12.53ft (3.82m)
Performance: About MACH
Max Speed: 186mph (300kmh; 162kts)
Max Range: 684miles (1,100km)
Rate-of-Climb:2,677ft/min (816m/min)
Service Ceiling: 19,029ft (5,800m; 3.6miles)
Structure:
Accommodation: 2
Hardpoints: 4
Empty Weight: 17,846lbs (8,095kg)
MTOW: 25,353lbs (11,500kg)
Powerplant:
Engine(s): 2 x Klimov TV3-117VMA turboshaft engines driving a five blade
main rotor and four blade tail rotor and generating 1,950hp each.
Armament Suite:
1 x 30mm Shipunov 2A42 cannon in chin mounting
4 hardpoints for 4,230 lbs of ordinance including 2 x rocket pods, 16 x AT-6
Spiral anti-armour missiles and gunpods as needed.
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