Attack helicopters world since its introduction on the battlefield (and it happened in the years of the Second World War) have undergone great changes.Army commanders in those days they did not attach much importance, given the role of auxiliaries: rotary-wing technique was used mainly for the evacuation of the injured from remote areas of the fronts.That was the case in Korea.Things began to change in Vietnam, where the US Army has used these machines to attack ground targets, to equip them with small arms and rocket, and then received the first attack helicopters.Such a metamorphosis took place in the Soviet Union, although with some differences in approach.Ultimately, the Soviet military experts have recognized the advantages of the American line of rotary-wing aircraft of the shock front.The change in approach domestic aircraft manufacturers became the Mi-28N.At the moment it is considered the best in its class.This is the case, when it was possible to "catch up and overtake."
Stormtroopers
During the Second World War, the main means of pinpoint strikes at the headquarters, communication centers, tank columns and other relatively small targets was attack aircraft.In the first tragic days of the war on the heads of our soldiers hurled bombs "Junkers-87", which had rather modest performance characteristics, but full advantage of surprise.Created Ilyushin Design Bureau "flying tank" IL-2 has several advantages compared with the German analogue, chief among which was a tremendous vitality, due to deliberate rational layout and heavy armor, combined with the frame-bearing function.On the application of helicopters as stormtroopers when nobody even dreamed of, and these aircraft were perceived more as an absurd exotic little use for military purposes.After two decades, the helicopter will inherit the best features of "flying tanks" will become the main striking unit of air support of troops during tactical operations.
«Huey" and "Cobra»
UH-1 "Iroquois", called American soldiers "Huey", thanks to its characteristics, it has become one the most mass-produced in the history of mankind helicopters.It is reliable, easy to operate, can carry a lot in a small package payload.This multi-purpose helicopter, used it as a means of landing, flying "ambulance" truck or air.UH-1 also carried out tasks of fire support, but a full-fledged "hammer" his name was not.The reason for the vulnerability of "Huey" was the lack of armor protection - it had only the pilot's seat and fuel tank.However, a successful layout and powerful propulsion system have been used in another car, "Cobre» AH-1, developed by the same company "Bell".Narrow predatory fuselage was replaced by a "body", "Huey," the pilots were placed in tandem, one after the other, separated and their function.At that time, one driving the car, the second tried to find and destroy the enemy.More in the car there was no place to anyone, all the useful weight ate armor and weapons.Combat helicopter Mi-28N in its primary circuit is built the same way.
Soviet way of development of combat helicopters
Meanwhile Soviet aircraft designers have tried to connect the landing and attack functions in one machine.For this was used the same technique "borrowing" of the power plant and the assembly scheme, but the basis was taken of the Mi-8, the most common Soviet helicopter.The result was generally good, but the car was too big and heavy.Mi-24 looked more powerful and impressive small "Cobras", but inferior to them in agility, stealth capabilities approach to the goal and vulnerability.Always the right to use someone else's experience, and it shows that the combination of two functions in one machine does not benefit any of them.In addition, for the time since the Vietnam War, the Americans continued to develop shock helicopters, creating "Apache» AH-64 having serious information equipment and became the world's first rotary-wing front-line attack aircraft concept.Afghanistan demonstrated that the Army requires new combat helicopters.
task - to see in the dark
analogue of "Apache" can be called the Mi-28, which since mid-80s began to produce Rostov Helicopter Plant.The car was very good in many respects superior to the overseas equivalent.However, the experience of combat employment of Americans of their helicopters in several armed conflicts has revealed many system defects.It turned out that in the dark or poor visibility conditions "Apache" behave unpredictably.During the "Desert Storm" a few cars, the US Army has lost because of the collision with the earth and with each other, despite the availability of night vision systems.An effective "work" in the dark, out of the question.The same problems were persecuted and federal troops in Chechnya.The tactics of guerrilla warfare as the most effective one night.In the darkness, the enemy is maneuvering, rearranges and causes sudden blows, after which, as a rule, successfully moving away in a safe place.To counter this tactic can only helicopter - "Night Hunter", who sees in the dark and fog.
new helicopter and its major differences
The collective Bureau named.Mil was not an easy task.Develop a new car in the early nineties it was almost impossible, it just does not have enough funding.The basis was taken Mi-28A, an upgraded modification of the Mi-28.Assembly line at the plant in Rostov it is desirable not to major changes, the production had already debugged.However, the need to review the many constructive and information scheme is already overdue.Mi-28A and Mi-26H is very similar in appearance.But a similar "appearance" is hiding a big difference.The changes were the main gearbox and many other units.Another was the electronics and other components and assemblies.From the old remains a powerful armored helicopter fuselage, some weapons systems and layout.There is another detail that characterized the attack helicopters.Photography top of the machine, namely the axis of the rotor, showing a balloon.That there are all-seeing "eyes" of the hunter.
general architecture
glider Mi-28 is built on the principles of the relevant concepts of the fifth-generation combat helicopters.98% assembly units manufactured in Russia.The blades are made of composite resin and have a homogeneous structure, and profiles with special aerodynamics, reducing the noise they produce.Plugs typically do not require lubrication, which greatly simplifies the operation.In the process, the designers had to ensure that the Mi-28N "Night Hunter" on flight characteristics (take-off weight - 10.5 tons, speed - 300 km / h, the ceiling - 3600 m static, dynamic 6,000 m, combat load - more than 2t) is not inferior to the base model, capable of performing aerobatics in compliance with the principles borrowed layout, booking and duplication basic vital nodes.Features of approach was to make the car a kiberorganizm with their own sensory and the ability to react instantly to threats that arise in the course of the combat mission.
automation control system is integrated as much as possible.All the data necessary to perform the task are displayed on three screens in each of two isolated booths.Information processing is carried out three on-board computer and several peripheral processors.The interface has an open architecture that facilitates quick change applications.Ergonomics cabins perfected.
Mi-28N "Night Hunter" itself determines its own position.For this control system it receives all the information from the external objective sources of thermal imaging sensors, optical cameras and airborne radar (radar "Crossbow"), located on the axis of the rotor.Thanks to the information about the spatial position provides many important features of the behavior of the machine, such as the ability to fly at extremely low altitudes (5 meters), automatic deviation from the obstacles (poles, trees, power transmission poles, etc.), Not to mention the collision with the ground.
Armament
main purpose for which the helicopter "Night Hunter" - combat operations in low visibility and complete lack thereof.Its predecessor, the Mi-28, in all respects an outstanding car, including in terms of firepower, so the range of arms Mi-24N generally repeats the prototype tooling.30 mm caliber cannon in the bow remained the same (2A42) as its rotary mechanism for the possibility of fire in the rear part of the hemisphere (110 degrees) and the deviation of 53 degrees vertically.Perhaps it will be replaced even more perfect instrument, developed specifically for the Mi-28N."Night Hunter" has not yet got rid of strong returns, which prevents firing accurately.The weight of the gun should be reduced and move it closer to the center of gravity of the machine, as already stated, engineers Mil.
Rockets
guided missile "Ataka-V" can strike at supersonic speed any armored target, even veiled ERA.Interference on it do not work - it will go through the fog, smoke and dust.New ATGM "Attack-D" have increased to 8 km range.But not in all cases, the crew of the newest Russian helicopter applies these missiles.There are cheap and easy means of destruction, which is armed Mi-28N."Night Hunter" could do Nursi C-13, C-57 or C-80, if you do not require high accuracy, combined with armor.Actually, all that fought the Mi-24 is in the arsenal of this helicopter, plus something else.For example, it can put minefields.
In the case of full-scale hostilities are possible situations in which the enemy planes will attempt to bring down the Mi-28N."Night Hunter" will be able to rebuff: missiles "air - air" P-73 is able to deal with air targets, has high maneuverability and speed.
protection and rescue
main guardian of the helicopter is its secrecy.He can come at low altitude, hide behind any barrier, exposing only their radar.The crew has time out to assess the situation, make a decision and immediately attack, hit the enemy all their firepower.Against the enemy air defense is also something in store.Infrared traps heat from the missile would be taken the following machines and chaff HC-26 shot down with a sense of homing warheads.
cockpit fitted with a circular booking.Protection is provided 10-mm sheets of aluminum alloy with applied ceramic layers.Bulletproof glass lantern have a thickness of 43 mm (frontal) to 22 mm (side).Designated pilot and the operator are also divided armor plate.
This precaution does not seem excessive in a strong fire resistance.In addition, the techniques used and the design, reducing the vulnerability of vital units, namely:
- engines are carried on board that reduces the possibility of simultaneous failure of the projectile when hit;
- the helicopter is able to get to the base on one engine, which automatically turns on at once at full capacity;
- maximum use of pneumatic tools;
- duplication of the main systems.There
and means alert the crew of impending danger, in case of capture helicopter guidance system they learn about this immediately and will be able to take measures to save the machine or, in the worst scenario, their lives.Bailout operates in two modes, the choice of which depends on the height (up to 100 m or more).Thus there is a shooting blades and wing panels.
Provided mode and a hard landing.Armchairs and landing gear are designed in such a way as to pay off the momentum and reduce the force of impact on the ground.In general, CB engineers have done everything that the life of the crew was subjected to the least possible risk.
export version
analysis of tactical and technical performance of "Night Hunter" leads to the conclusion that the Armed Forces of Russia got the best attack helicopter in the world.It is capable of performing combat missions in the most difficult conditions: total darkness, fog, the smoke and fire.This crew has a high chance to save a life even under the most unpleasant scenario battlefield.It is not surprising that not only the Russian Ministry of Defense, but other countries wanted to equip its army Mi-28N.Photos of these machines with the emblems of the Air Force of Egypt, Algeria and Iraq appeared in the press soon, it is possible that in some Latin American countries, they would defend the national interests.Great interest in the "Night Stalker" and showed the Swedish government.Of course, the export variant differs from the instrumentation of in-filling and some features of weapon systems.
