Mean Havoc Rising: Part 2

In the second of a two-part feature on the Russian attack rotorcraft, Alexander Mladenov examines the Mi-28NM – today, the definitive Havoc – as well as the different versions developed for export.

The Mi-28NM is seen as the definitive ‘Havoc’ with vastly expanded mission capability thanks to enhanced performance, new sensors and guided weapons that enable standoff operations against well-defended targets, even in bad weather.
via Alexander Mladenov

The Mi-28NM is the latest derivative of the attack helicopter built for the Russian Aerospace Forces’ Army Aviation branch, boasting an all-new targeting complex combined with a sophisticated self-protection suite. It also offers significantly improved flight performance in ‘hot and high’ conditions, thanks to a more efficient main rotor system and more powerful engines.

Under development since 2009, the Mi-28NM was planned as the definitive Havoc derivative, free of the shortcomings that handicapped its Mi-28N predecessor (see part one in the January issue of AI). The new derivative features an enhanced version of the N025 mast-mounted radar in addition to an integrated self-protection suite and an all-new GOES-451M multi-sensor day/night targeting payload. All this is combined with an improved flight/navigation avionics suite and new, longer-range anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). This version also added a new data link system.

The Mi-28NM’s performance improvements were achieved by using a new, lighter airframe structure, the latest main and tail rotor systems, new main gearbox and uprated Klimov VK-2500P turboshafts with full-authority digital engine control (FADEC) and an added surge-protection mode. This engine is rated at 2,800shp in one engine inoperative (OEI) mode, while take-off rating is 2,500shp and cruise rating is 1,700shp; testing was reportedly completed in November 2018.

The Mi-28NM’s sole prototype was first flown in October 2016 and its testing was reportedly completed by November 2018.
via Alexander Mladenov

 

The 9M123M Khrizantema-VM anti-tank guided missiles are seen in their launch tubes on a four-round APU-Kh-V launcher unit under the Mi-28NE’s starboard wing. This missile, boasting a powerful armour-piercing warhead, has a dual guidance system and offers a poor-weather engagement capability thanks to its semi-active radar-homing guidance method.
Alexander Mladenov

The current, more efficient rotor blades sport a revised profile and tip design for much increased lift. This, combined with the more powerful engines, enhances overall agility and flight performance in a ‘hot and high’ environment. For instance, maximum level speed is increased to 201mph/324km/h compared with 186mph/300km/h for the Mi-28N.

The Mi-28NM’s data link system enables an expanded range of netcentric operations, including use of targeting information supplied by UAVs. The aircrews can also control UAVs at a distance of up to 31 miles (50km). A helmet-mounted display and cueing system by Russian manufacturer GRPZ will be added to the Mi-28NM’s mission avionics suite at a later stage.

A vastly improved derivative of the N025 developed for the Mi-28NM began testing in prototype form in October 2017. It features new hardware and software to provide additional operating modes and a faster scan rate in the air-to-air mode, the capability to track more targets than the basic N025, and improved target and obstacle positioning accuracy. It also has a full weather detection capability and newly added identification friend or foe (IFF) mode, with transponder and interrogator. The new radar is capable of 360° scan, has a much more powerful computer and operates in two bands simultaneously – the usual Ka-band of the N025 plus X-band using the same parabolic reflector antenna. This dual-band capability offers a significant improvement in target positioning accuracy. The new radar is also touted as being capable of tracking up to ten targets simultaneously.

The Mi-28NM also features a simplified maintenance and increased time-between-overhauls (TBO) intervals for all major systems. 

The first two pre-series Mi-28NMs, ‘Red 70’ and ‘Red 71’ were handed over to the Russian defence ministry for test work last June.
Rostvertol

New missiles

The Mi-28NM’s weapons suite has also been beefed up, thanks to integration of the new 9M123M Khrizantema-VM, developed by the KBM company of Kolomna. Up to four tube-launched supersonic missiles can be carried. The weapon has a maximum range of 5. 4nm (10km) and provides 1,100mm armour penetrating capability.

The supersonic Khrizantema-VM has dual guidance, employing semi-active laser and semi-active radar methods. The latter requires use of a dedicated targeting radar which is housed in a pod under the port wing, while the starboard wing houses a four-round ATGM launcher. Radar guidance is useful in poor visibility conditions and other situations when laser guidance may have been compromised.

The Mi-28NM can also use the new 9M120-1 Ataka-VM (Ataka-1) version provided with laser-beam riding guidance, replacing the older Ataka-V equipped with the obsolescent radio-command guidance. This missile is much more affordable than the Khrizantema-VM and has a maximum range of 3. miles (6km).

As many as 98 series-production Mi-28NMs are on order for the Russian Aerospace Forces’ Army Aviation branch, with the first six of these slated for delivery in 2020.
Alexander Mladenov
In August 2018, a significantly improved Mi-28NE sub-version with a new rotor system, more powerful engines and expanded weapons options was presented in a new-style pixelated camouflage. This scheme is now used, in one form or another, on all Russian Helicopters’ demo aircraft.
Alexander Mladenov

The Ataka-VM’s anti-armour version is equipped with a 16. 3lb (7. 4kg) tandem warhead of telescopic design, capable of perforating 850mm of rolled homogeneous armour after defeating reactive armour. There are two additional Ataka-1 versions in production, fitted with high-explosive/thermobaric or blast/fragmentation warheads, and using proximity fuses for improved lethality. The blast/fragmentation version, known as the 9M120-1F-1, is also said to be effective against air targets, while the high-explosive/thermobaric 9M120-1F was designed for use against personnel in the open or hiding in buildings, bunkers and caves.

Air-to-ground capability is further enhanced thanks to 100kg (220lb), 250kg (551lb) and 500kg (1,102lb) freefall high-explosive bombs for greater lethality when used against hardened targets as well as the ZAB series of napalm canisters.

The Mi-28NM is also set to receive the KBM 9M336 Verba heat-seeking air-to-air missile with a range of up to 3. miles (6km), fired from a four round Strelets-VM launcher. The Verba offers improved lethality and reliability and uses an all-new nitrogen-cooled highly sensitive infrared seeker, which works in three bands simultaneously for improved jam-resistance.

The improved Mi-28NE of the so-called ‘2018 Edition’ is being offered with all-new, ‘multi-cyclone’ dust and sand protection devices with a claimed 93% efficiency. In contrast to the traditional PZU inlet protectors equipping the Mi-24 and Mi-28NE fleets, these do not reduce engine power.
Alexander Mladenov

Flight testing

The new Havoc derivative is still in development at Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant (MHP). Its first prototype completed its maiden flight in October 2016 and low-rate production had been launched at Rostvertol by 2018. Last March, the sole Mi-28NM prototype, ‘Yellow 701’ was combat-tested in Syria, flying day and night missions.

The first two pre-production Mi-28NMs bound for the Russian defence ministry – to be used for evaluation and testing – were ordered in December 2017 They were due for delivery by the end of 2018, but in the event, this was postponed and handover took place on June 23, 2019.

Yury Borisov, Russia’s then deputy defence minister responsible for the weapons systems procurement, told the press in January 2018 that all future Russian defence ministry orders would be for the new and radically improved Mi-28NM version, which differs greatly from the Mi-28N and its slightly improved Mi-28UB derivative. By early 2019, the initial Mi-28NM order was expected to be for 18 examples.

However, on May 15, 2019 Russian President Vladimir Putin called upon the defence ministry to increase the Mi-28NM order, requesting that no fewer than 100 should be delivered by 2028.

Not long afterwards, on June 27 2019, a large-scale order for the Mi-28N – covering as many as 98 examples – was signed, in the presence of the president. First deliveries are planned for 2020, when six Mi-28NMs are earmarked for handover, while the last examples are set to be taken on strength by the Russian military at the end of 2027.

A trio of iron bombs weighing between 100 and 500kg are on offer for the improved Mi-28NE derivative, intended to enhance its lethality when used against area targets lacking air defence coverage.
Alexander Mladenov

Foreign customers

The Mi-28NE export derivative was developed in 2009-10. In 2011, it lost to the AH-64D Apache Longbow in the Indian attack helicopter tender for 22 aircraft, but nevertheless retained good chances of sales to a range of loyal customers elsewhere in the world.

The launch customer for the Mi-28NE was the Iraqi Air Force, with an order for 15. The Mi-28NE contract between Moscow and Bagdad was signed in 2013 and the first deliveries were reported in August 2014.

Algeria became the second and, so far, largest customer for the type when it placed an order for 42 helicopters in December 2013. These aircraft were to be based on the improved Mi-28NU airframe with dual controls. First deliveries were reported in 2016, with completion expected by 2019 or 2020. The Havoc derivative developed for Algeria is equipped with a more comprehensive integrated self-protection suite comprising the L150 Pastel radar warning, L370-2 missile warning and L140 Otklik laser warning sensors as well as engine infrared suppressors. There are eight UV-26 36-round chaff/flare dispensers for ejecting 26mm chaff and flare cartridges housed in the wingtip pods.

In addition to the extensive armour protection measures, the Mi-28N/NE/NM also introduced flight-critical system redundancy and offered increased agility in a bid to better avoid ground fire.
Alexander Mladenov

The export derivative is also being offered with the N025E mast-mounted radar as an option. At least three of the radar-equipped Mi-28NEs were delivered to Iraq in 2015, while all of the Algerian machines are believed to be in this ‘full-standard’ configuration.

A significantly enhanced Mi-28NE derivative, tailor-made for demanding export customers, was publicly unveiled for the first time at the Army-2018 defence exhibition in Kubinka near Moscow in August 2018. It featured a range of newly introduced design features, apparently added as a result of lessons learned in combat in Iraq since 2016 and also from new customer requirements raised by the two existing customer nations (Iraq and Algeria) or even by some future customers.

This latest Havoc derivative offered for export features a brand new main rotor system with more efficient blades combined with increased-power Klimov VK-2500-01 turboshafts, rated at 2,400shp each in take-off mode. The latest engines are equipped with all-new dust protection devices, designed and manufactured in Russia with a claimed 93% effectiveness against dust and sand, without reducing the engine power output.

The Mi-28NE has the new, more eff icient main rotor blades originally developed for the Mi-28NM, enabling a maximum speed of 170kts. The increased lift also brings normal take-off weight up to 25,346lb (11,500kg), compared with 24,024lb (10,900kg) for the initial Mi-28NE, while maximum take-off weight reaches 26,668lb (12,100kg).

One of the two pre-series Mi-28NM in flight, showing its expanded arsenal.
Alexander Mladenov

The enhanced Mi-28NE is also equipped with new external fuel tanks which are rubber lined for self-sealing of punctures caused by bullets or fragments of high-speed missile warheads.

The Mi-28NE’s mission avionics incorporate an improved OPS-28M electro-optical targeting system with EO/IR sensors. Its tank detection range is extended to 6. miles (10km) during daytime, with target recognition range up to 5. miles (9km). At night, the thermal imager offers a detection range up to 5. miles (9km), while recognition range is claimed to be up to 4. miles (7km).

The Mi-28NE also features updated equipment for UAV connectivity with a range of up to 31 miles (50km), enabling it to receive live video feed and other targeting information derived from the UAV’s sensors.

The StreletsVM four-round launcher unit, off red for the improved Mi-28NE, can accommodate the new 9M336 Verba air-to-air heat-seeking missiles for considerably increased lethality. The enhanced Night Hunter for export customers is also equipped with wingtip pods housing missile approach and laser warners looking forward and aft, together with UV-26 chaff flare dispensers firing side-on.
Alexander Mladenov

The helicopter’s self-protection is boosted, thanks to the addition of the President-S integrated suite, including the L150-28 Pastel radar warning receiver, L140 Otklik laser warning receiver (LWR) and L370-2-01 ultraviolet missile approach warners (housed in wingtip pods together with the LWR sensors for 360° coverage in horizontal plane). The L370-5 directional laser jammer uses a single ball turret installed under the fuselage, while four UV-26M 32-round countermeasures dispenser units for pumping out 26mm flares are installed in wingtip pods. The laser jammer operates in conjunction with the existing UV-26 countermeasures dispenser units. Rostvertol claims that the self-protection suite can jam two IR-guided missiles approaching the helicopter simultaneously.

The weapons system has also been beefed up significantly thanks to the integration of the new 9M123M Khrizantema-VM ATGM, introduced for the first time with the Mi-28NM. 

The Mi-28N/NE Night Hunter is equipped with the BREO-28N integrated digital avionics suite with its weapons control system based around the OPS-28N Tor electro-optical system, seen here installed in a drum-shaped assembly in the nose. This is provided with two optically flat windows for a FLIR, TV camera and laser rangefinder/designator.
Alexander Mladenov

Mi-28NM’s LMUR Missile Breaks Cover

A new air-to-surface multi-role missile integrated on the Mi-28NM, dubbed LMUR (Light Multi-role Unified Missile), was revealed in public for the first time last June by the Russian defence ministry’s Zvezda TV channel. The missile – shown being tested from the Mi-28NM prototype – was masked on the video footage to conceal design details, and only scant data has been revealed so far.

According to the Mi-28NM’s chief designer Vitaly Sherbina, this is the first Russian-made multi-role helicopter-launched missile to be used in both the air-to-air and air-to-surface roles and is fitted with a seeker in the nose for terminal guidance. However, he declined to reveal details of the missile’s developer and manufacturer

The Mi-28NM prototype equipped with the new LMUR long-range missile during firing trials near Moscow in 2019, as shown in the Zvezda TV movie. The missile has been intentionally blurred by censors as it’s still highly classified and little definitive information has been released.
Zvezda TV

The LMUR is around 8.2ft (2.5m) long, the calibre is approximately 9.8in (250mm) and it weighs between 300 and 440lb (150 and 200kg). The missile is fitted with an increased power warhead, said to be capable of knocking out main battle tanks and small vessels. The Zvezda video also hinted that the new missile uses an imaging infrared seeker.

According to Russian news agency TASS, the new missile is also known as Izdelye 305 (Product 305). It has been designed for standoff range, outfitted with a warhead capable of dealing with hardened targets such as concrete shelters and armoured vehicles in addition to mobile short-range air defence systems. The new missile has a lock on after launch guidance mode, with inertial guidance in the initial phase of flight and mid-course correction by an operator, with commands transmitted via data link. TASS suggested the missile has a range of up to 13nm (25km) and was used for the first time in combat in Syria, launched by the Mi-28NM prototype in trials there last March.