Alexander Velovich/MOSCOW
Russia's assault on Chechnya is focusing the Russian army's attention on more night-attack capable helicopters. In a separate move, Russia has agreed with the Ukrainian Government on the numbers of Antonov An-70s to be acquired.
The Chechnya conflict has resulted in the army doubling to 20 its outstanding orders for night-attack Mil Mi-8s and Mi-24s. The move follows a flight in a modernised Mi-8N by Russian Armed Forces chief of staff General of the Army Anatoly Kvashnin and chief of acquisition Col Gen Anatoly Sitnov.
The army has also deployed three Kamov Ka-50 single-seat attack helicopters to Mozdok air force base, the main operating location for Russian forces fighting in Chechnya. Army aviation commander Col Gen Vitaly Pavlov says the Ka-50 will be used to attack bases in Southern Chechnya's mountainous areas.
Meanwhile, the first prototype Mil Mi-28N night/all-weather attack helicopter is to enter a flight test programme this month. Mil deputy chief designer Mikhail Korotkevich says that around $150 million has been spent on developing the Mi-28N.
During the three months of the Chechen conflict, the army has flown 9,000 flights and amassed 5,000h. Pavlov acknowledges the loss of five helicopters: two in accidents, two destroyed on the ground and one shot down.
The Russian and Ukrainian air forces will order 164 and 65 An-70s, respectively. General director of the Russian-Ukrainian STS consortium Leonid Terentyev, says while government funding for the programme has been low, it is running to schedule and is four times higher this year than last.
STS president and Antonov general designer Piotr Balabuyev says work on the An-70T civil transport is advancing. The first prototype has left the assembly rig at Antonov's Kiev plant and is being fitted with its systems.
Balabuyev says the An-70T will have a crew of two and may be re-engined with two Kuznetsov Samara NK-93 ducted propfans in place of the four Progress D-27 propfans, to improve operating economics.
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Source: Flight International
