Russia’s advanced Night Hunter helicopter makes its first flight

Europe, News October 15, 2016 , by IRIA No Comments

Russia’s upgraded Mi28N Night Hunter helicopter will soon be in action

The prototype of the Russia’s modernized Night Hunter helicopter has reportedly made its first flight in the town of Tomilino in the Moscow Region.

Russian Helicopters rotocraft manufacturer, part of state hi-tech corporation Rostec, plans to deliver a pre-production batch of upgraded Mil Mi-28N “Night Hunter” helicopters to the Defense Ministry in 2018, according to Russian Helicopters Head Alexander Mikheyev.

Features of Russia’s modernized Mi-28N “Night Hunter”

The “Night Hunter” is also equipped with circular-view radar.

The new version will be furnished with a new all-round surveillance radar, a new control system and other equipment and will also feature increased capabilities for using precision weapons.

One of the striking features of the new Mi-28NM is its unique laser system designed to deflect all existing heat-seeking missiles.

The Mi-28N gunship is armed with a 30mm cannon, guided missiles and free rockets. The Night Hunter can locate and destroy armored vehicles, small surface ships, hit low-flying low-speed air targets and fortifications, as well as lay mine fields day or night in adverse weather conditions. It can also target detection for combat helicopters and warplanes.

The dual-control Mi-28NE is a new-generation all-weather attack helicopter. The aircraft’s cockpit is reliably armored against armor-piercing bullets and projectiles of 20 mm caliber.

Russia’s modernized Night Hunter helicopter. Photo: Dmitriy Serebriakov/TASS

Russia ready to start production of dual-control version of Night Hunter attack helicopter

The production of the Mi-28UB dual-control attack helicopters for the Russian army may begin in the near future, Deputy Managing Director of Rostvertol (a subsidiary of the Russian Helicopters holding) Vadim Barannikov informed

“We are ready to begin the production of such helicopters (Mi-28UB) when the Defense Ministry makes an order to this effect,” Barannikov said.

The Mi-28UB helicopter will be largely similar in characteristics to the Mi-28NE export version with the dual control system that makes it possible to control the helicopter both from the pilot’s cockpit and from the cockpit of the operator pilot who acts as an instructor, according to Barannikov. The company is currently in negotiations with “two or three foreign customers” on possible supplies of the Mi-28NE helicopters, he added.

“Keeping all the functions of an attack helicopter, the dual-control Mi-28NE greatly simplifies the training process of military pilots who need flying hours on the Night Hunter. The new helicopter has a larger cockpit, equipped with modern energy-attenuating seats”, he said. According to Rostvertol, the first prototype of the Mi-28NE helicopter with dual flight controls was made in 2014, and in late 2015 the joint state tests were completed. Two contracts on the helicopters’ supply to foreign customers have been signed by now.

“The unique capabilities of the new combat helicopter open excellent prospects for its sale both in Russia and abroad”, Russian Helicopters CEO Alexander Mikheyev was quoted by the company’s press service.

Russia’s upgraded Mi28N Night Hunter helicopter. Photo: Dmitriy Serebriakov/TASS

Russia’s Night Hunter copters used in operation to free Palmyra

The Russian air group in Syria used attack helicopters Mi-28N Night Hunter against militants in Palmyra, based on evidence from a video clip posted on the Defense Ministry’s website. Apart from that there has been no other evidence so far helicopters were employed to deal strikes against terrorists in Syria.

Experts, however, believe that Mi-28N were used only for maintaining security of the Hmeimim airdrome, which hosts the Russian aerospace group.

The video shows helicopters destroying terrorists’ armored vehicle in Palmyra with guided anti-tank missiles and then one of their strongholds inside a building. The subtitle reads: “Mi-28 helicopter destroys militants’ armor in the area of Palmyra” and “Mi-28 helicopter destroys militants in a building near Palmyra.”