Alexander Velovich/MOSCOW
The Russian army has embarked on a trial upgrade programme for its Mi-24 attack helicopters, in apparent recognition that it is unlikely to ever acquire meaningful numbers of the advanced Mi-28 or Ka-50 attack helicopters. The first Mil Mi-24M modernised combat helicopter made its first two test flights on 8 and 11 February at Mil's test site at Panki, near Moscow.
The Mi-24M upgrade programme is being financed by Russia's ministry of defence, and joint flight tests with Mil and military test pilots are to begin in March, Mil general director Georgiy Sinelshchikov says.
The Mi-24M is an upgrade of the older Mi-24V/P with new, lighter, high-performance main and tail rotors, both of which have been taken from the Mil Mi-28 combat helicopter, and lighter fixed landing gear, providing an increase in service ceiling. The stub wing with weapons pylons is also shortened to save weight and increase manoeuvrability.
Although the Mi-24M is so far a prototype airframe upgrade, it will later get night attack capability with more advanced night attack avionics and Ataka-V anti-tank and Igla-V air-to-air missiles. The operational Mi-24M may also be fitted with a twin 23mm cannon installation instead of the current 12.7mm machine gun turret or fixed 30mm cannon if the customer requires, Sinelshchikov adds. Mil says the service life of an operational Mi-24 could be extended for at least five more years after being refurbished to the Mi-24M standard.
The Russian army has about 1,000 Mi-24s of various standards, though only about 200 of them remain airworthy. The army is likely to spend all of its limited procurement budget on upgrading and maintaining the fleet rather than buying new combat helicopters, Mil sources say, so neither the Mil Mi-28 or Kamov Ka-50 are likely to enter service in large numbers in the immediate future.
Sinelshchikov says the Mi-24M upgrade will be offered for export as soon as flight tests have been completed. India embarked on an Israeli-designed upgrade programme for its Mi-24/35 attack helicopters in 1998, with the emphasis on more advanced night attack avionics.
Source: Flight International
