Mi-28N Night Hunter - Design
The Mi-28N is to become the basic shock helicopter of Russian Army Aviation. The need for all-weather helicopters generated the purchase of Mi-28N. The Mi-28N is based on the Mi-28A, a daylight helicopter first flown in December 1982. The Mi-28N is equipped with capacities for night combat, and 8 years after the Mi-28A was initially cancelled came the launching of the study devoted to this version.
Mil OKB developed a modification of the Mi-28 helicopter - the Mi-28N, the main difference is around the clock combat use, including in the absolute darkness, where there is no even a weak light from the stars, in any weather. The experience of aviation in the wars of the second half of this century has shown that most of the combat helicopter hitting the ground air defense systems is carried out by visual contact. This means that the helicopter should be flown and to fight at low altitudes. In comparison with the AH-64D Longbow Apache, the 10.5-ton Mi-28N is some 2.5 tons heavier, partly due to its more powerful cannon. In general the two helicopters have similar flight performance. Two Klimov TV-3-117 engines of 2,200 hp each allow the Russian aircraft to show a maximum level speed of 300 km/h and maximum climb at sea-level of 13.6 meters per second. The Mi-28N and Kamov Ka-50 were in a competion to fulfil the Russian Army Aviation requirement for a night-capable anti-tank helicopter, a replacement to the Mi-24.
Boris Slyusar, Director General of "Rostvertol" PLC, the principal distinction of Mi-28N from Mi-28 combat helicopter lies in that the new machine is equipped with entirely new integrated complex of airborne equipment developed by domestic designers. "The principle of its combat application is the night flight at extremely low altitudes", - Burutin underlined.
"At present, Mi-28N is the only helicopter in the world which is capable to perform flight at the altitude from five meters with terrain following round-the-clock in automatic mode. It allows to apply it successfully at seats of war differed by richness of anti-aircraft army defense means", - the Presidential Adviser said.
According to him, the newest powerful armament is envisaged in Mi-28N arsenal. It is "Ataka" supersonic high-precision missile, which hits battle tanks having dynamic protection, as well as aerial targets. "Igla" supersonic air-to-air missile of "fire-and-forget" type. Gun mount with 2A-42 gun of 30mm caliber. Due to selective loading of the gun, the crew can select the cartridge type directly during the battle. Pilot performs aiming with the help of helmet-mounted target designation system", - Burutin said.
"It is impossible not to mention also advantages of the developed helicopter in the field of the machine combat vitality and crew safety provision. Crew cabin is of tandem type. The cabin is entirely armored, the glazing withstands direct hitting by bullets of 12.7mm caliber", - he added.
By developing this helicopter Mil produced quite a different machine, the Mi-28N, which inherited only the body from the old one. This helicopter boasts entirely new avionics developed in Russia, integrated display of the over all situation, liquid-crystal flight indicators and advanced weapon control systems. The creation of the Mi-28N cost the company much 'sweat and blood'.
The objectives of the parts (units) combat helicopters Mi-28N "Night Hunter" are:
- fire support for ground forces advanced units;
- actions as part of an anti-reserve;
- maintenance and support of tactical airborne assault and air assault units of the compounds;
- struggle with tactical airborne assault;
- struggle with low-speed low-flying air targets.
The main targets of action of the Mi-28N "Night Hunter" are:
- tanks, self-propelled guns and means of military defense;
- infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers and vehicles;
- individual guns (launchers), a battery of field artillery and nuclear;
- light military equipment (individual firing points);
- not sheltered infantry units;
- low-speed low-flying helicopters and planes in the air.
Complex helicopter avionics equipment provides:
- decision of flight and navigation tasks in simple and adverse weather conditions at low and extremely low altitudes with a flyby and avoiding obstacles in automatic mode;
- the use of weapons during the day and night in simple and adverse weather conditions, both in visual visibility purposes as well as through technical means;
- efficient use of communication facilities.
The fire support helicopter Mi-28N ( "product 294", "Night Hunter", NATO designation - Havoc-B) is designed as a modification of the Mil Mi-28 for al round combat use. The helicopter is made in the "classic" scheme with a five-blade main rotor and steering. Equipped with two turbine engines (TIZ-117VMA or VC-2500 with capacity of 2,200 - 2,700 hp), non-retractable tricycle landing gear, auxiliary wing. The crew is two people (pilot and navigator-operator), and it can accommodate two passengers in a compartment of the radio equipment. The cockpit is armored (including bullet proof glass that can withstand getting caliber bullets to 12.7 mm). Take-off weight - 10,500 kg (normal), 11,700 kg (max); the range is 1,105 km (Ferry), 500 km (practical). The maximum speed is 324 km / h, wtih a practical ceiling of 5,700 meters.
Armament includes 2A42 cannon caliber 30 mm, controlled ( "Storm", "The Attack," "Eagle") and unguided rockets, bombs. The helicopter, in particular, has installed: a navigation system; aerobatic complex (provides piloting with terrain following in the automatic mode); on-board computer system; multifunction display system information on the LCD display; weapon control system; detection systems, capture and target tracking (with a television and thermal imaging equipment); means of communication; warning system for radar and laser irradiation.
Pilots can use night vision goggles and a helmet-mounted target designation system and display. All controls are on-board equipment integrated into a single system. To ensure the safety of the crew during the flight accidents helicopter is equipped with ejection blades of the rotor and the cockpit canopy.
The airborne communications provides on the ground and in flight two-way radio communications between the telephone helicopters and ground command posts of Air Force and Army; communication between the helicopter and the ground stations; Internal telephone communication between crew members in flight and ground service personnel at pre-training; voice announcement of the crew of an emergency; as well as the recording of telephone conversations of the crew on the external and internal radio. Accordingly, the Mi-28N helicopter has equipment for external target designation.
All controls are on-board equipment integrated into a single control system, which has reduced their number to a reasonable minimum and place in a relatively small cockpit and the navigator-operator. All the current settings to be displayed on the display indicate the means of information display systems consisting of six multi-mode LCDs - three in each cockpit. In addition, each member of the crew there is a group of backup devices for emergencies. The helicopter used a single computing environment, consisting of three central onboard computer and a number of peripherals that are compatible with the IBM PC, which dramatically simplifies the development of on-board software. The complex consists of modern digital computers with an open architecture that allows building up functions and investing any amount of intelligence pledged to new tasks for specific conditions when new tasks arise.
The helicopter introduced an extensive system of internal control, which allows for autonomous preparation for flight, post-flight service and the search of failures without the use of special aerodrome control and test equipment.
The helicopter also established a system of cartographic information with a high degree of resolution and digital data bank of the terrain in the area of fighting. The computing system may generate data based on the three-dimensional image of the area portion on which the helicopter, and it is easily clarified by satellite navigation, with an inertial skompleksirovannoy. All variety of information seems to pilots and navigators, the operator on the color liquid crystal displays mounted at three in the front and rear cockpits.
Electronic equipment also includes a system of orientation for physical fields of the Earth, and a set of communication tools and nadvtulochnuyu round looking radar "Crossbow." The radar provides the helicopter to search for goals, working together with the OPS "Rotor" in normal mode. The helicopter can search purposes, hiding in the folds of the terrain or trees sticking out of hiding only its "crown." In this case it is enough just to use the radar. Defining goals and their type, distributing them as needed between the helicopter group by selecting an object for attack helicopter vigorously out of the ambush, and "processes" the goal defeat means or suggests other strike aircraft or helicopters Group. Also Mi-28N radar unlike radar AH-64D "Longbow" capable of dealing with flight control and navigation tasks.
Each of these tools can be used independently.However, as the primary mode uses a synthesis mapping, thermal imaging and radar data with a three-dimensional image is displayed on the display area, and directory information in a convenient form for the pilot. Performance characteristics of equipment should, according to calculations, to provide conditions for safe piloting at extremely low altitudes. To search, detection and recognition of goals developed the latest surveillance and sighting station with optical, television, thermal imaging and laser TV surveillance. All channels (except optical) digital representation are able to issue information on the screen and it, in digital form, in recognition automation purposes.
All generic information is supplied to the LEDs of the navigator-operator, who makes the final decision. Communication equipment communicates with any command posts of the ground forces (SV), the transmission of information on them, as well as between the helicopters in the group and other users, the necessary receiving equipment. Accordingly, the helicopter has equipment for external target designation of the command. All this combined allows the machine to operate at low altitudes of 5-15 m, in combat formations to conduct operations with the assault landing on the intermediate stages, combat missions, shoot as if from behind a corner, without entering into direct contact with the purpose of not exposing helicopter at risk.
Onboard integrated electronic systems allows the crew of the Mi-28N to operate at low altitude in combat formations, conduct assault operations with a stopover at the intermediate stages, combat missions using the guided missile weapons of the shelters, without entering into direct contact with the purpose of not exposing helicopter is at risk. Radio command guidance system supersonic precision guided missile "Ataka-V" provides increased immunity to laser: it is more suited for operation in the smoke, dust, heavy fog. Anti-tank guided missile 9M120V "Attack-In" affects all types of tanks, including a dynamic armor protection.
In addition, the pilots could work effectively without fatigue, especially at night, modern complex set of indicators, not carrying the active radiation. The layout of the new cabin is made with the latest achievements of ergonomics.
The defense of the Mi-28N aircraft and helicopters, in addition, strengthened by placing it managed UR missiles "Igla" class "air - air". These missiles are used around the clock in the "let - forget", ie they are completely autonomous after launch. Also on the models set a new multi-threaded main gearbox VR-29 engines with the upgraded automatic control system.
The main drawback, which catches the eye almost immediately, was the lack of millimeter-wave radar on combat machines, like the Apache Longbow. It provides well-known advantages in identifying ground targets with the subsequent guidance of precision weapons on them. With the use of missiles with active radar homing AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire radar allows implementing the principle of "fire-and-forget."
Export modification - Mi-28NE - is with the Air Force armament of Algeria and Iraq. The combat vehicle is also in demand in the international market. At least 15 Mi-28NE helicopters are in service with the Iraqi army. Attack helicopters are being delivered to Algeria, which in March 2014 signed a contract for the supply of 42 Mi-28NE helicopters.
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