Russian Helicopters-The MIL MI-28 Havoc

The Mil Helicopter Corporation has produced some ofin the lower compartment, by an armored partition.
the former Soviet Union's and presently the RussianThe Havoc cockpit is equipped with modern
Federation's most capable helicopters. From theobservation, targeting and communication systems.
heavy lifting MI-6 of the 1950's to the MI-24 of thePower for the havoc is derived from two Kilmov
seventies and eighties, the MIL Corporation has aTV3-117VMA turbo shaft engines rated at 2,100 SHP
strong and proud heritage of helicopter design and(shaft horsepower) each. The engine is optimized for
production. The MI-28 Havoc adds to that legacy.use from unprepared landing areas where there might
The MI-28 is a purpose built helicopter gunship. It'sbe a significant amount of dust and debris present
similar in shape and appearance to the U.S. AH-64that could potentially harm the engine. The engines
Apache. The Havoc is able to perform a number ofuse separators and defectors to prevent it from
missions including anti-armor, escort, armedingesting anything hazardous. The helicopter also has
reconnaissance, target designation, and engagingan APU (auxiliary power unit), which it can use for
other aircraft in air to air combat.operations where a ground power unit is not available.
The Havoc has a tandem cockpit. The pilot andAnother survivability item is the fuel tanks. The tanks
navigator/gunner sit in two separate cockpits andare filled with polyurethane foam, which reduces the
have separate canopies. The Havoc also has a bayrisk of explosion. The helicopter uses baffles and a
under the pilots that's accessible by a hatch. The baythermal mixer to reduce its exhaust gas temperature
can hold up to three people and is used to rescuein order to lessen its infrared signature making it less
other downed pilots. As with other Russian aircraftvenerable to targeting systems and weapons that
the helicopter is built to operate from remoteuse "heat" to find and lock onto targets.
locations with little support. The aircraft is tough andThe Havoc is able to use a wide variety of weapons
survivable. Its landing gear doesn't retract and alongto include unguided rockets, infrared air to air and air
with the crash absorbing seats are able to withstandto ground missiles as well as radar guided missiles.
a vertical fall of 36ft/sec. The aircrew is also able toThe pilot is in control of the unguided weapons such
bail out of a heavily damaged helicopter by jettisoningas rockets while the navigator controls the guided
the wings and cockpit hatches.munitions.
The Havoc's cockpit is fully armored to include theAs mentioned earlier the Havoc has a crew of two, a
windscreen. The pilot sits in the higher, rearmostpilot and a gunner. It has a maximum speed of 187
compartment separated from the navigator who sitsmph and a combat range of 320 miles.