New Russian Gunship Implements Syrian Combat Lessons

Defense Update ^ | August 22, 2018

[sukhoi-30mki]

Russian Helicopters presented a new version of the Mi-28N attack helicopter that improves combat survivability and firepower and implements manned-unmanned teaming capability for the first time. The “Night Hunter” was used extensively in the Syrian theater, used both by the Russian and Syrian forces. Some of the improvements address lessons learned from these operations.

“We are constantly improving military helicopters because the requirements of our customers change, and we always aim to meet them. Due to the experience of using Mi-28 machines during military operations, we knew how to further develop this project. The modernization considerably increased the capabilities of Mi-28NE helicopters and offered us new prospects in terms of exports,” noted Andrey Boginsky, CEO of Russian Helicopters.

carries the new Khrizantema-M anti-tank missile that uses a dual guidance system, offering better resistance to enemy countermeasures. The new missile extends the helicopter’s target engagement range to 10 km. The gunship can also carry a modernized version of the Ataka laser-guided missile. Other armament options use aerial bombs weighing up to 500 kg.

Other improvements include combat survivability. The helicopter has enhanced armor and uses modern directional IR countermeasures (DIRCM) for greater combat survivability against short-range infrared missiles. the design is more tolerant to battle damage. The rotor blades are made of composite materials that can withstand hits by 20-30 mm ammunition and continue to function. and the fuel system is also protected against explosion and fire.

Modernization involved engine power and blades, which improved aircraft performance in high regions and in hot climates, increased the cruising speed and maneuverability. A larger tailplane improved the controllability of the helicopter. The advantages of the helicopter include resistance to battle damage.

The Mi-28NE was the first Russian military helicopter to get digital avionics. The new version uses a new communications channel that enables the crew to link and control drones.

In 2015 the company unveiled the Mi-28UB, a training variant of the Night Hunter, that uses dual control, enabling the weapon systems operator in the front to control the aircraft in an emergency. The Mi-28UB is also designed for training. Mi-28UB has extended cabin, larger armored windows that improve the view from operator’s cockpit.

[TheZMan]

Is it just me, or is the visibility from their cockpit crappy? If you look at an Apache, it seems the visibility is a lot better. Then again, maybe those big windows aren’t a good thing...

[PapaBear3625]

The future of cockpits may involve replacing large vulnerable windows with F-35-style helmet displays using lots of high-definition external cameras.

[Yo-Yo]

Visit the original article then return in order to have the pictures pop up.

[oldplayer]

Russian aircraft of all types are interesting. The Russians don’t waste much time or money making them attractive or otherwise pleasing to the eye. Function, function, function.

[Pontiac]

[lurk]

Quite a few Russian helicopters ended up as missile bait in the Syrian war. They needed to glean some lessons.

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

The claim that the rotors can handle 20-30 mm hits is...impressive if believable.

[FreeAtlanta]

It looks like an Apache rip-off.

[FreeAtlanta]

The future will be getting humans out of the airframe.

[Pontiac]

Yes, the position of the pilot and weapons officer are the same.

But other than that I would say that form follows function would account for other similarities.

They are both attack helicopters.

Even the position of the pilot and weapons officer can be dictated by function. It is desirable to reduce the forward profile of the aircraft during attack.

[spetznaz]

All modern attack helicopters from all nations making such (US, Russia, China, Europe, South Africa, India and Turkey) will look the same due to form following function. All however get their functional DNA from one helicopter ...the original AH-1 Bell Cobra, which was a genius and radical adaptation of the Huey helicopter. The designers of that original Cobra are all absolutely worthy Americans, and their design was absolutely superlative.

Everything else stems from that design since those gents got exactly what an attack helicopter would need, and all that was needed from that spot was improving in the design.