Mil Mi-28 Havoc

Summary

Description

The Mi-28 Havoc is a Russian attack helicopter manufactured by the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant. It was designed to serve as a dedicated anti-armor and close air support platform. Development began in the early 1980s, with the intent of replacing or supplementing the older Mi-24 Hind attack helicopters in the Soviet Air Force. The Mi-28 was officially adopted by the Russian military in 2009, although it had been in limited service and testing for years prior. It was designed to compete with other attack helicopters like the American AH-64 Apache.

The development of the Mi-28 Havoc was a long and iterative process that started in the early 1980s. It was conceived as a new-generation attack helicopter, aimed to fulfill roles in anti-armor, close air support, and airborne forward air control. Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant was the primary developer, and the design focus was on a more specialized attack role, compared to the multi-role capabilities of its predecessor, the Mi-24 Hind.

One of the key design features of the Mi-28 is its heavily armored cockpit, which offers improved protection for the crew. The helicopter is equipped with a dual-control system, allowing either the pilot or the weapons operator to fly the aircraft. This was integrated to enhance combat survivability and redundancy. The rotor blades are also designed to withstand hits from 20mm rounds, improving the helicopter's resilience in combat scenarios.

The Mi-28 is armed with a variety of weapons systems, including a 30mm chin-mounted cannon, anti-tank guided missiles, and unguided rockets. It also has the ability to carry additional munitions depending on mission requirements. The helicopter uses advanced avionics, including target acquisition systems, night vision capabilities, and electronic countermeasures, to maintain effectiveness in various operational settings.

The aircraft underwent several rounds of testing and modification before it was finally adopted by the Russian military in 2009. Despite a long gestation period and competition from other designs like the Kamov Ka-50, the Mi-28 has become one of the primary attack helicopters in the Russian arsenal, and it has also been exported to several other countries.

Armament

The Mi-28 Havoc is outfitted with an array of armaments tailored for anti-armor and close air support missions. One of its primary weapons is the Shipunov 2A42 30mm automatic cannon, which is chin-mounted and has a dual feed, allowing for the use of both high-explosive and armor-piercing rounds. This gives the Mi-28 flexibility in engaging both ground targets and slow-flying aerial targets.

For anti-armor capabilities, the Mi-28 typically carries ATAKA anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). These missiles are laser-guided and capable of penetrating modern tank armor. The ATAKA system allows for engagement at ranges of up to 8 km, depending on the variant of the missile used. It's worth noting that the missile system is versatile enough to also include anti-aircraft and thermobaric warheads, further broadening its operational utility.

The helicopter can also be equipped with S-8 or S-13 unguided rockets, usually loaded in B-13 or B-8 rocket pods. These rockets are intended for use against fortified positions, light armored vehicles, and infantry. While less precise than ATGMs, these rockets are effective for area saturation and suppression of enemy troops.

Additionally, the Mi-28 has provisions for carrying a variety of other munitions like air-to-air missiles for self-defense against enemy aircraft, although this is not its primary role.

Operational history

The Mi-28 Havoc's operational history has been relatively limited compared to some of its Western counterparts like the AH-64 Apache, but it has seen service in various capacities since its official adoption by the Russian military in 2009.

It was first used in combat exercises and training missions by the Russian Armed Forces to validate its capabilities in a range of conditions. Over time, its operational scope expanded to include active military engagements. Notably, the Mi-28 has been deployed in the Russian military intervention in Syria, which started in 2015. There, it has been used for close air support missions, anti-armor operations, and the targeting of fortified enemy positions.

The Mi-28 has also been exported to other countries, including Iraq and Algeria, where it has seen various degrees of operational use. The Iraqi Army employed the Mi-28 in its efforts to combat ISIS, specifically in the liberation of cities like Ramadi and Mosul. It provided close air support and anti-armor capabilities, complementing ground operations.

As of today, while the Mi-28 has demonstrated some capabilities in combat scenarios, its operational history is still nascent.

Variants

The Mi-28 has several key variants:

1. Mi-28A: This is the original variant, which was designed primarily for daytime operations. It was the baseline model used for early evaluations and testing but is now considered somewhat outdated.
2. Mi-28N "Night Hunter": This is an improved version equipped with advanced avionics and sensors, including a mast-mounted radar. It has full night operation capabilities, which is signified by the "N" in its name. The Night Hunter also features more sophisticated navigation and targeting systems, including thermal imaging and laser rangefinders.
3. Mi-28NE: This is an export version of the Mi-28N, tailored to meet the needs of foreign customers. The NE variant can be customized with different avionics packages and weapon systems based on the requirements of the purchasing country.
4. Mi-28UB: This is a combat training version with dual controls, allowing both the pilot and the instructor to operate the helicopter. Despite being a training variant, it retains full combat capabilities.
5. Mi-28NM: This is the latest, most advanced variant under development, intended to be a significant upgrade over the Mi-28N. It features an upgraded H025 radar system, more advanced fire-control system Izdeliye 296, and the ability to use a wider range of munitions, including Izdeliye 305 multipurpose missiles. It's also equipped with VK-2500P engines and new rotor blades to enhance speed and agility.

Technical specifications

Current operating countries

Country		Units
	Russia	111 (+140)
	Algeria	17 (+25)
	Iraq	17
	Venezuela	0 (+10)

Numbers in parentheses, e.g. '(+5)', indicate units ordered but not yet delivered.

All operators

Algeria • Iraq • Russia • Venezuela

Photo of Mi-28 Havoc

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