As Russia's Tactical Jets Leave Syria, Its Most Advanced Attack Helicopters Arrive

Foxtrot Alpha ^ | March 16, 2016 | Tyler Rogoway

[C19fan]

Russia says that its pullout from its air base in Syria will be complete in just two or three more days, but it is leaving behind a more potent attack helicopter force than what was ever there before.

Both the Mi-28 and the KA-52 attack helicopters have been spotted around the base within the last 24 hours. Here’s why the Kremlin is upping its combat helicopter capability just as it is pulling its fixed wing fighter and attack aircraft.

[C19fan]

The MI-28 looks like the Eurocopter Tiger. The KA-25 looks fascinating with the two blade arrangement.

[AppyPappy]

Just in time for MANPADs to arrive.

[afsnco]

Agreed. Undoubtedly they counter-rotate, making a tail rotor unnecessary.

[Smokin' Joe]

The KA-25 does not have the tail rotor, and that removes vulnerability of that rotor and its driveline. It would make the aircraft more difficult to take out.

[C19fan]

Is there a cost for that arrangement?

[DesertRhino]

“Just in time for MANPADs to arrive.”

Then the bombers return and attack our, oops I mean rebel, supply lines from Turkey again.

[PIF]

[ConservativeWarrior]

Boy, that undercarriage looks like a complete afterthought.

[Marko413]

That helicopter has quite a goiter!

[21twelve]

I wonder if that goiter (gun/radar mount?) up front was an add-on too?

“Ivan - that will never work it is too big. It sticks out more than the landing gear does!”

“Oh - you’re right. Okay - so we just make wheels lower! Fixed!! I am genius!!!”

[Scrambler Bob]

Speeds up the development cycle, to have such a convenient opportunity for Operational Evaluation and “Live-Fire” testing.

[Don Corleone]

Russia getting a chance to try out its newest battle equipment under actual conditions. Germany///Spain///1930’s.

[AppyPappy]

IIRC, that was the AWACs for their carrier.

[ConservativeWarrior]

Haha!

[PIF]

You are likely correct - I think I must have punched in the wrong nominclature.

KA-52

Also KA-52 Aligator being assembled by Russian specialists in Syria

[Charles Martel]

Boy, that undercarriage looks like a complete afterthought.

I'm sure it's quite functional, but it does have a bit of a grocery cart appearance.

[21twelve]

Okay! That’s more like it - what I would expect for a “most advanced” version. I still think those ones with the “wings” used in the Rambo movies were cool.

[PIF]

Mi-28NM

[nascarnation]

How reliable are these rigs?

My SIL used to do engineering work on US helos, he’s says NEVER get on one if you can avoid it.

I’m sure the Russian level of reliability is well down from that.

[klpt]