|
The Mil Mi-28NE (NATO designation “Havoc”) is an attack helicopter created by the Russian Mil helicopter plant. The Havoc first took flight in 1982 after starting development in 1972 after the Mi-24 project was completed. The Mi-28 Havoc sprang from the idea that an attack helicopter could also do troop transport duties. The design work that would become the Havoc began om 1980, after many different design concepts were proposed over the near-decade since the needs for this helicopter were outlined. The first Mi-28 test types were delivered to the Russian army in 2004. The first serial production model followed in 2006. The Mi-28NE “Night Hunter” is a modern variant that was designed for a diverse set of roles within the armed forces. It is meant to provide fire support for forward ground forces. It can also act as part of the anti-tank reserve. It’s also a good companion craft to tactical airborne assault units and adept at countering the same units on the enemy side. The Night Hunter Havoc is very good at dealing with low-speed, low-altitude targets. The Havoc Mi-28NE used a traditional pod and boom design and is equipped with twin TV3-117VMA turbo shaft engines. These new power units contribute to the greatly reduced thermal signature of the Havoc, which is reportedly 2.5 times lower than its predecessor, the Mi-24. The Night Hunter has been officially accepted into service by the Russian military in the form of the Mi-28N. The “NE” model is the export version of the aircraft. The helicopter can be armed with a mixture of air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, podded guns and even unguided rockets, making it very versatile. The cabin is fully armored, which even includes the windshield. A total of 126 Havocs have been produced and these helicopters have taken part in operations from Russia all the way to Iraq, Kenya, India, Algeria and Venezuela.
|