Kamov vs. Mil: how the Russian design bureaus see the attack helicopter of the future. Americans showed combat helicopters of the future Promising helicopters of the future

Problems of the Russian helicopter fleet

After the next fall of the Mi-24 in Primorye, the question of the extremely critical state of the entire helicopter fleet of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation was raised again. Aging machines and the lack of modern equipment on board a helicopter during intensive operation sooner or later leads to an aircraft crash. However, the state defense order program provides for a complete renewal of the helicopter fleet. One can only hope that this will happen soon.

What the day ahead is preparing for us

At the end of the collapse of the USSR (1991), the Ministry of Defense of the Soviet Union had more than 5,000 helicopters. Most of these machines went to the Russian Armed Forces, which today comprise about 1,500 helicopters of all classes. For over a decade and a half, the helicopter fleet has not been updated, which led to a sharp reduction in machines. Of course, a number of new vehicles were adopted, including the combat Ka-50. But this was a purely nominal step, as new models did not arrive in mass production, despite the fact that the need for rotorcraft did not decrease. After all, the army still had the task of repelling possible aggression, and in the territory of the former Union armed conflicts arose often after another, often involving Russia itself. In addition, the helicopter still remains one of the strategically important military vehicles. Work was found everywhere for this car: from military units near Moscow and up to Kamchatka.

But despite this, the Russian production of helicopters continued to decline due to the lack of adequate funding, so, at the end of the 90s, no more than 40 units were produced per year, of which a very small fraction was intended for the army. And they almost forgot about the modernization of helicopter equipment for this period. The remaining "livestock" had to be maintained in technical condition only thanks to the titanic efforts of the technical staff, often due to the details of the finally malfunctioning military equipment.

The transfer of military aviation from the Ground Forces, where it was the first in importance, to air defense and the air force, only aggravated the situation, since the combined air defense and air force continued to primarily pay attention to maintaining their proper traditional equipment - anti-aircraft missile systems and airplanes.

According to the Ministry of Defense, this organizational issue should be solved with the help of military reform, which will transfer all units of the army aviation to the commander of the military districts. Of course, the consequences of this step cause additional debate, the discussion of which will be enough for more than a dozen articles. But let's get back to the issue of replacing obsolete helicopters with new technology.

The supply of the latest helicopters to military units began only in the second half of the “zero” years. So, for the period 2007-2009, the Ministry of Defense received about 70 units, and in 2010, the production rate increased, and the military received 59 new helicopters. In 2011, it is planned that the number of vehicles delivered will exceed one hundred. This will be the first time since 1991. In total, under the concluded contracts, the total number of helicopters received before the end of 2015 by the Ministry of Defense should be 450 aircraft. But this number is likely to increase, since at the moment several more contracts are being signed.

In total, according to the current GPV-2020 of the Ministry of Defense, it plans to renew the helicopter fleet by 80%, which is over 1200 aircraft. A complete replacement of obsolete equipment can be predicted already at the beginning of the 20s. After that, the military department will only have to maintain it in good condition and update it in a timely manner. What will be the real content of the helicopter fleet?

Kamov and Miles: who will win?

In mid-June 1982, the first helicopter flew into the sky Ka-50,

which at that time wore code index B-80, and literally less than six months later set off to conquer the heavenly expanses and Mi-28.

The competition between these promising machines of the Mil and Kamov design bureaus began in December 1976, from the very moment when the decision of the USSR Council of Ministers and the Central Committee of the CPSU was announced to begin work on a new combat helicopter project, which should subsequently replace the recently launched production Mi-24.

Both helicopters had excellent technical characteristics, so the choice was not easy. In October 1983, on the agenda of the meeting between the Ministry of Defense and representatives of the aviation industry, there was one question - to compare and choose a combat vehicle from the B-80 and Mi-28. Most of those present liked the B-80, as its price-quality ratio and flight performance exceeded the Mi-28. Comparative tests, which were carried out during 1984, also showed that the B-80 is superior to the Mi-28, so in October 1984, the Minister of Aviation Industry signed an order on the preparation of its serial production.

Unfortunately, the designers of Kamov Design Bureau, the execution of the order was delayed for some time. The reason for this was the fact that the latest helicopter with its "main caliber" - ATGM "Whirlwind" - turned out to be a very complex product, the development of which took a long time. OKB Mila did not lose time and eliminated all the shortcomings of its prototype Mi-28, thus creating, in 1988, a new model - the Mi-28A. But it so happened that not one of these promising combat vehicles fell into serial production until 1991, and the collapse of the USSR completely left both projects in limbo.

Meanwhile, the designers did not leave work on their brainchildren, continuously improving them, so they appeared Ka-52

and Mi28N,

which it was decided to launch in mass production. However, the purpose of these combat vehicles will be different. The Mi-28 should completely replace aviation veterans in combat units, and the Ka-52 will go to special forces, and in addition, it will be a carrier-based helicopter as part of the Russian Navy. Such a truly “Solomon solution” will maximize the advantages of both helicopters. The main advantage of the Mi-28 (except for powerful armor) is its continuity with its predecessor, the Mi-24, which facilitates the retraining and training of new personnel. Agree that this quality is simply necessary for the main army helicopter. Ka-52 is equipped with more modern equipment, has better flight characteristics and less noise. It was originally planned that the Ministry of Defense would acquire from 200 to 300 Mi-28 and 100 Ka-52, but in connection with the conclusion of a contract for the construction of the Mistral UDC for the Navy of the Russian Federation and the choice of Ka-52 as an attack deck helicopter, the number of orders for this combat the car may increase to 200.

In addition to these two combat vehicles, the Mi-24 and their deeply modernized followers will remain in the Russian military helicopter fleet Mi-35.

Given the current GPV-2020, by the end of 2020, the Russian army will have over 500 units of this military equipment.

The word "modern" can cause a skeptical smile. After all, how can you call modern what was designed back in the 70s? But judging by international experience - it is possible. For example, the famous European helicopter "Tiger". They started to create it in 1973, the prototype took off in 1991, and went into mass production only in the middle of the "zero".

It should be noted that today the main task in helicopter industry is to increase flight speed. This problem is being solved in almost all countries where the aviation industry is developed (special attention is paid to this issue in the USA). In order to find the right solution, you need to minimize harmful resistance and increase the capabilities of the rotor. To reduce the resistance, the helicopter fuselages in the designs of the designers take on more and more advanced aerodynamic forms, in some projects the option of using a retractable landing gear is even considered. Most of the latest main rotor helicopters have improved geometric shapes than their predecessors. Foreign military designers assume that a helicopter speed of 400 km / h will be achieved in the near future. This is facilitated by the emergence of new materials and new technology for the production of screws. Over the past decade, the interests of specialists have smoothly shifted towards the development of a jet rotor. Prototypes have already been manufactured in the United States, Germany and other Western countries. The main rotor is launched using a rectilinear jet of gases, which passes through slots located along the rear edge in the last third of each blade. There is an opinion that increasing the speed and improving the technical characteristics of a helicopter can be achieved by “stopping” the rotor during flight. The landing and take-off of such an aggregate will be carried out as in a helicopter, and the flight itself will occur as in an airplane. So, for example, in one of the developed projects, the bearing “locking” screw rotates only during “take-off” and “landing” under the influence of jet thrust, which is obtained by nozzles at the ends of the blades, and when flying it stops and even plays the role of a small wing.

The exhaust gases of the jet engine with the help of valves are sent to the tail nozzle, where they will create traction for translational motion. At the same time, the screw is removed when moving horizontally at a speed of 150-250 km / h. However, when testing these ultramodern designs, it was found that when the propeller stops during flight and then removes it later, there are moments of helicopter capsizing. This is due to unequal loads on the rotor blades. Engaged in solving the problem, the British designers created a hard screw, in which the hollow blades have a circular cross section, providing increased rigidity.

The design of such a rotor reduces its sensitivity to gusts of wind and eliminates overturning moments. Also, its advantage over the rest is that it can be stopped in flight, while not removing the fuselage. Studies of this rotor model have confirmed the possibility of creating a new economical aircraft with low noise and vertical landing and take-off. Also, in the latest helicopter designs with a wing, its speed is increased, its maneuverability and stability are improved.

Such schemes are already being implemented. The most reliable of them is the rotorcraft scheme, which not only has a wing, but also an additional engine, which it needs to create additional horizontal thrust. When testing a rotorcraft, a record flight speed of 480 km / h was achieved. The solution to the problem of increasing the speed of a helicopter can be an increase in engine power, as well as an improvement in its design. As a result of experiments to increase the payload, a solution was found to create a helicopter with a payload of 20 to 100 tons. Since 1970, some American companies have been developing a helicopter with a carrying capacity of 50 tons. It is known that now designers from different countries are working on the development of a helicopter with a carrying capacity of 100 tons. To improve flight safety in helicopters with such a lifting capacity, two engines will most likely be installed.

Due to the growing demand for military helicopters, which have to solve more and more tasks, the requirements for helicopter airborne equipment have recently been increasing. This equipment is constantly being improved due to the new applied principles of the structure of plants, subsystems and parts, as well as through the use of the latest technologies. More and more often lasers are used, radar antennas are being improved, thanks to which the operation of navigation devices is improved. For example, the weight of navigation devices in 1965 was 125 kg, and the use of transistors can reduce the weight of reduced navigation devices to 17 kg.

The cost of all electronic equipment of a modern military helicopter is 15% of the total cost. And this is not the limit, since in the near future, electronics will "drag out" almost 40% of the total cost. The materials used in the construction of the fuselage have also stepped forward. Now more and more often in helicopter industry they use titanium, and for secondary structures - fiberglass. Designers are also working on the creation of single-seat helicopters. Prototypes have already proven their right to life as a combat vehicle.

So, in Germany, an experimental single-seat helicopter was built. Its net weight is 152 kg, its marginal weight during take-off is 270 kg, rate of climb is 4.5 m / s, its maximum speed is 130 km / h, cruising speed is 105 km / h, practical ceiling is 4100 m, distance is 40 l. fuel - 2130 km. There are also unmanned cargo helicopters designed to transfer material assets. This can be safely risked if during the battle it is needed. And with it you can overcome difficult terrain. Military units with special helicopters will be able to instantly react based on the situation, that is, to concentrate or disperse forces, help infantry overcome bridges, etc. Some German theorists voiced the possibility of creating parts of armored fighter helicopters, armored combat helicopters, transport helicopters for landing motorized infantry , which can fight in battle also from helicopters. Of course, such a military unit should have maximum maneuverability along with firepower in order to carry out its tasks of conducting independent combat operations. The creation of such units could be a signal of the beginning of the transition from infantry military formations to airmobile.

Given the above, could the re-equipment of the helicopter fleet of the Russian army happen earlier? Of course yes. It was possible to start mass production of the updated Mi-35 and ship at least 20 helicopters per year to the Russian Air Force at the very beginning of the “zero”, but most likely, this would lead to the fact that the Mi-28 would never get into the series.

Sea and transport helicopters remain the same

If in the ranks of the armed forces there were two whole promising projects, then everything remains the same with civil aviation, that is, the average Mi-8

and heavy Mi-26

they will be replaced, but only very modernized, with the latest equipment and new engines. And this will not be done for reasons of economy, not at all. Just today, the aviation industry can not yet provide them with an alternative. In general, the planned volume of purchases of these vehicles is not known for certain, but, based on some data, it can be assumed that the Mi-8 will purchase about 500 cars, and the Mi-26 about 40 cars.

The same trend is observed with marine helicopters. In the coming years Ka-27

and his modernized “brothers” will still play the role of the first (and only) violin. This was announced by the chief designer of the Kamov Design Bureau Sergey Mikheev at the naval show held in St. Petersburg: “Naval aviation today is in a difficult position. It has not been funded for almost 20 years. Until the end of the 80s, we managed to rearm the fleet aviation on the Ka-27 and its modifications. Then the design bureau created a civilian version of the Ka-27 - Ka-32, and the sale of this helicopter made it possible to support the production of units and components, which ultimately helped to maintain the fleet’s helicopters. Today, despite the increase in state defense orders, special funds are not allocated for research and development on new topics, and this is a serious problem. Therefore, wait in the foreseeable future for some fundamentally new machines is not worth it, but we continue to improve existing ones. "

However, there are new helicopters that should be in demand as training, reconnaissance and light transport vehicles. First of all it Ka-60/62

and own development of the factory design bureau of Kazan, which is known as Ansat.

The total number of light helicopters in army aviation along with naval aviation will be about 200 units.

However, to say that manufacturers are not working at all on the creation of a new medium transport vehicle, this means provoking anger on their own head. Already testing a new helicopter Mi-38,

which in technical characteristics is very similar to the EH-101 Merlin, which is actively used for military purposes. The Ministry of Defense reports that it is ready to consider the possibility of acquiring the Mi-38, but only at the end of helicopter tests. And this will happen no earlier than 2014. Of course, a hundred such helicopters would be a great help in the ranks of the Mi-8 and Mi-26.

And instead of the heart - a fiery motor

The motor is the heart of any vehicle, therefore the development and production of aircraft engines for helicopters is the most important task, the implementation of the current GPV-2020 in its helicopter part directly depends on its solution. Back in the middle of the “noughties”, an important strategic decision was made to establish the production of helicopter engines in Russia, which until then had been mainly purchased in Ukraine. The solution is a solution, but in practice it has not yet been possible to start such production in full, therefore, until now, Ukrainian motors manufactured by Motro Sich have been installed on Russian helicopters.

This provision is valid as long as Kiev adheres to friendly relations with Russia. But if you look at this issue from a different angle, then making the majority of the domestic helicopter program dependent on the Ukrainian government is not the best option. Therefore, the primary task of the defense industrial complex "Oboronprom", which monitors not only the production of machines (Russian Helicopters), but also the engines for them (United Engine Corporation - UEC), should be the expansion of domestic engine production. Certain shifts in this direction are already being felt. For example, on the basis of St. Petersburg OJSC Klimov, a new design and production complex is being created that can produce about 450 motors per year. Initially, it is planned to launch VK-2500 and TV3-117 engines in production, as well as to begin developing new models of engines. For the implementation of these goals, the UEC received a loan of almost 5 billion rubles. The new production will be located in Shuvalov.

Myth or reality?

An answer to this question will be possible only after a few years, but a start has been made. And I must say that a good start. Russian Helicopters has already manufactured over 200 aircraft since the beginning of the year. And this despite the fact that according to the plan they need to surrender only 267 helicopters in a year. Therefore, there is no doubt that they will increase the pace by 2015 and will be able to produce 400 cars annually. Against the background of this picture of development, the prospects for the production of over 100 helicopters per year for the military department seem quite promising. In fact, the implementation of the current GIC-2020 for helicopters depends on only three factors: support by the country's leadership, economic development and systematic financing. If these factors are favorable, then in the early thirties of the XXI century the helicopter fleet of the Russian army will be fully equipped with new modern combat and auxiliary vehicles.

The movement of troops is not an easy task, and everything becomes even more difficult when you need to move through the air. The US Army and NASA are developing a new fleet of helicopters to carry out combat missions in the future. Some models developed in the early 60s are still in operation, but since then, technology has taken a significant step forward. And, as we can see, in these art images, the next generation of helicopters will be very different from the current one.

The latest Army Technology magazine looks at what new helicopters can be. In August, the Pentagon ordered two prototypes for Sikorsky-Boeing and Bell Helicopter.

Sikorsky’s SB-1 Defiant design has a thrust propeller that will allow the helicopter to take off faster than aircraft with rotors.

Sikorsky-Boeng SB-1 Concept

V-280 Valor by Bell Helicopter’slooks like a lightweight version of the V-22 Osprey, but its estimated speed is 500 km / h, and it will be able to carry half as many soldiers as the V-22. It is planned in three versions - an option for transporting people or equipment, a medical model for evacuation and a combat helicopter equipped with missiles.

V-280 Valor Concept

It is planned that he will be able to transport a detachment of 12 soldiers plus 4 crew members, fly at an altitude of more than 2000 meters at high temperatures and cover a distance of 3800 kilometers without refueling. Ned Chase, program director, says developing a combined aircraft instead of several separate versions is a bit cheaper and faster. But other joint projects with a lot of requirements show that this is not always the case.

Helicopters appeared over the battlefields relatively soon after the end of World War II. The first mass application of rotorcraft took place during the Korean conflict, and the Americans became the pioneers in this. Initially, helicopters performed the function of scouts, spotters of fire, evacuated the wounded (due to the use of helicopters for evacuation, the survival of wounded soldiers in the US Army increased several times). At the dawn of their military career, helicopters did not perform strike functions.

The new type of aircraft had many opponents: the low speed of the helicopters was noted, their insufficient protection even from small arms. But the experience of using shock versions of these machines ultimately dispelled all fears, and helicopters firmly took their place on the battlefield.

After some time, the world entered the era of the final collapse of the colonial system, and armed conflicts broke out in different parts of the world, which were characterized by active partisan actions. It turned out that helicopters, unlike combat aircraft, are great for fighting partisans.

The turning point in the history of combat helicopters was October 1973, when during the Arab-Israeli conflict 18 Israeli Cobra helicopters destroyed 90 Egyptian tanks in one take-off. From that day, one of the main tasks of combat helicopters was the fight against armored vehicles.

The Soviet Union did not immediately discern the potential of helicopters, but then began to quickly catch up. In 1971, the first prototype of the Soviet attack Mi-24 helicopter appeared. This legendary car is still in service with Russia and many other countries. During its long service, the “crocodile” managed to participate in dozens of conflicts, underwent severe trials of the Afghan war and underwent numerous improvements. If the American Bell UH Huey helicopter is a symbol of the Vietnam War, then the Mi-24 crocodile is a symbol of the war in Afghanistan.

The Mi-24 was conceived as a flying BMP: in addition to powerful weapons and armor protection, it had an airborne compartment in which it could deliver infantry to the battlefield and then support it with fire. But in reality it turned out that landing with the Mi-24 was extremely rare, and as a rule, the helicopter was used as an attack machine. So the attempt to create a multi-purpose helicopter was not entirely successful, and in the mid-70s of the last century in the USSR they decided to create a new generation combat helicopter. To develop a promising percussion machine, a competition was announced between KB Mil and Kamov. As a result of this competition, the best Russian combat helicopters to date were born: the Mi-28 Night Hunter and the Ka-50 Black Shark (and the Ka-52 Alligator).

Mi-28 “Night Hunter”

Technical characteristics of the Ka-50 "Black Shark"

One of the main reasons for the cessation of production of the Ka-50 was just the "uniqueness" of this helicopter. " Piloting a helicopter at low altitudes is very difficult, it is even more difficult to fire at the enemy. The coaxial helicopter is quite difficult to pilot and requires serious skill from the pilot. Therefore, the Ka-50 Black Shark was replaced by the Ka-52 Alligator.

Ka-52 - double modification of the Ka-50. The helicopter differs from its predecessor in a modified nose and a complex of new electronic equipment. The Ka-52 was originally conceived as a command vehicle coordinating the actions of the Ka-50 helicopter group.

The Ka-52 is equipped with the Argument-2000 multifunction navigation system, which makes the helicopter weatherproof and capable of flying at any time of the day. It consists of the GOES-451 search and sighting system and the flight observation system.
  The armament is similar to the armament of the Ka-50.

Another interesting machine, which in various trim levels is already supplied to the Armed Forces and civilian customers, is the Ansat helicopter, designed and manufactured at the Kazan Helicopter Plant. Ansat is built according to the classic single-rotor scheme, has two gas turbine engines.  It can lift up to 1300 kilograms of cargo or 9 passengers.

Ansat completed its first flight in 1999. The machine is universal: it can transport goods, passengers, used as a medical and search and rescue helicopter. Kazan designers created the modification "" - a training helicopter for training cadets of military schools.

Swift Mi

Information appeared in the press about the development of a new high-speed helicopter at the Mil Design Bureau. In 2019, the project of a new car should be completed. In 2014-2015, it was planned to allocate 4 billion rubles from the state budget for this project.

Initially, the Kamov Design Bureau participated in this program, but the design of the Design Bureau Mil was recognized as more successful. The new helicopter should have a flight range of up to 1.5 thousand kilometers and a speed of up to 450 km / h. The helicopter is created for the needs of civil aviation.

It can be added that the creation of a high-speed helicopter is also being undertaken in other countries. In particular, now a similar car is being developed at Sikorsky Aircraft.

The old horse does not spoil the furrow

Today in Russia there are a large number of old, time-tested Mi-24. Back in 1999, a modernization program for these helicopters was developed. The updated car received the designation Mi-35. It is produced for the needs of the Ministry of Defense of Russia and exported abroad.

The new helicopter has a new thermal imaging system and night vision devices. In addition, the Mi-35 is equipped with a satellite navigation system that allows you to accurately determine the coordinates of the machine.

By the beginning of 2014, 24 Mi-35s were manufactured for the Russian Ministry of Defense, and almost 50 more were planned to be transferred to the Russian military by 2019.

Mi-171A2 and Mi-38

Another interesting machine, which is at the stage of state testing, is the Mi-171A2 helicopter. This is nothing more than a deep modernization of the famous Mi-8. In fact, this machine is a continuation of the glorious traditions of Mi-8/17 helicopters, made at the modern technological level, using the most modern technologies and materials. A new control system, a power plant will be installed on the new helicopter, the interior will be redone. In 2014, the helicopter was certified, in 2016 its mass production began.

Another replica of the Mi-8/17 is the cargo and passenger helicopter Mi-38. Many modifications have been made to this machine. Modern avionics, full glass cabin, wide use of composite materials. The rotors of the helicopter are made entirely of composite materials and do not require replacement throughout the life of the machine.

Several modifications of the Mi-38 have been created, capable of performing different functions: carry passengers and cargo, perform search and rescue operations. In 2014, test flights were conducted, and at the beginning of 2015, the Mi-38 certification took place.

Video about the latest Russian helicopters

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A fundamentally new modification of the attack helicopter Mi-28N ("Night Hunter") should enter the troops in late 2017 - early 2018. Tests of the Mi-28NM only, and it is already called the "helicopter of the future" and they say that the novelty significantly exceeds the famous and most widespread in the world AH-64 Apache.

Mi-28 was originally a helicopter with a difficult fate. Its development began in the late 1970s. The first flights made a prototype in 1982. By the end of the 1980s, the new helicopter was presented at international air shows. And then the 90s began, which in the history of the Russian Armed Forces became one of the most difficult periods.

However, despite all the difficulties, the designers continued to work on the machine, although the process went much more slowly. In 1996, a modernized version of the Mi-28 - Mi-28N, which earned the best reviews, first flew into the air. But only in 2005 did her state tests begin, ending at the end of 2008. Only on October 15, 2008, the Night Hunter was officially adopted.

In 2009 - 2011, the first serial Mi-28N entered the army. Today it is in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces, the Air Force of Iraq and Algeria. The baptism of fire "Night Hunter" was held in Syria. And already in the very near future he may appear before us in a new guise.

Along with the completion of state tests of the Mi-28N, Russian designers began work on a fundamentally new modification of the helicopter - the “Product 296” or Mi-28NM. Its performance characteristics are still kept secret, but with the start of flight tests, something nevertheless leaked to the media.

It will differ from its predecessor in many ways at once.

Commander of the 344th Center for Combat Training and Retraining of the Air Force in Torzhok Colonel:

“We attended the breadboard commission of this helicopter. Even outwardly it will differ from the Mi-28, the differences will be visible to the naked eye. First and foremost, it will be a dual-control helicopter, and it will have completely different weapons and equipment. ”

The mass and size of on-board electronic equipment for the Mi-28NM, the speed of information exchange between the units has increased. The new helicopter will be able to successfully fly over landmarkless terrain and look for landing places.

Photo: https://pp.vk.me

For the Mi-28NM, new rotor blades have been created that will increase its maximum speed by 10% (now for the Mi-28N it is 300 km / h). But this is not the main thing.

“Creating a promising locator based on Russian technologies is quite possible, although technical solutions cannot yet be talked about, because they are secret, but the fact that this system will exceed in its characteristics the analogue in the form of the Longbow system, which is installed on the American helicopter AH-64 Apache, - absolutely right. (...) In terms of EW tools and locators, we are better than Western systems, because we extinguish Western radars, see far, hear far. "

Deputy Minister of Defense of Russia:

“This is an all-weather, all-day helicopter - this is its cardinal difference. He will receive a practically new navigation complex, a reconnaissance complex, new optics, a new control system that allows for a "blind" landing. Mi-28NM has all the advantages of a helicopter, which is in demand on the market today. Tests at the finish now. "

Advisor to the First Deputy Director General of KRET:

“The laser suppression station is designed to divert the attacking missiles of the enemy from the protected helicopter. In the near future, it is planned to complete tests of the laser suppression station, receive the appropriate letters for mass production and equip all manufactured helicopters with this system. ”

Photo: Press Service of Russian Helicopters Holding

Obviously, the tests of the new attack helicopter made the best impression on the military.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Aerospace Forces of the Russian Federation, Viktor Bondarev, that the Mi-28NM will go into operation at the end of 2017 - the beginning of 2018, and summed up the modernization of the machine:

It increased weapons, increased engine thrust, plus the protection of the helicopter from man-portable air defense systems is in full. And, of course, dual control.

Bondarev Victor Nikolaevich

The pace of modernization of the Russian Armed Forces is always impressive. However, no other way. A war is not only against us and our allies, but also a hybrid war, during which some "partners" show surprising complacency towards terrorist groups, which eventually turn into real armies with their own artillery and armored vehicles. One of our responses to such threats will be the Mi-28NM, capable of effectively destroying tanks, armored vehicles, artillery mounts, firing positions and slowly flying air targets. And today he made a serious bid to become one of the best attack helicopters in the world.

Well-known military experts told PolitExpert about the combat tasks that a high-speed attack helicopter can carry out, the design of which is currently being discussed by the Russian Defense Ministry.

The representative of the Russian Helicopters holding Andrei Boginsky said that by the end of November 2018, three projects of a high-speed attack helicopter with various design solutions will be presented to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, TASS reports. According to Boginsky, the first option should be made in the traditional version with one rotor and one steering. The second option involves combining two screws, as in the Ka-52 Alligator, only with additional propulsors in the tail. The third is a helicopter with a combined power plant and propellers on the sides.

Sergei Khatylev, a military expert, former chief of the anti-aircraft missile forces of the Russian Federation, told PolitExpert that the program to create such a high-speed rotary-wing aircraft was written a long time ago. It was reported that a new helicopter should be developed by 2020, but such a project did not initially receive funding, since industry representatives did not support it.

Khatylev said that one of the main goals for high-speed helicopters is the elimination of air targets.

In addition to the main tasks of providing air support to ground forces, a modern helicopter must effectively destroy even small UAVs. Moreover, tracking and hitting targets on the ground and in the air should be carried out simultaneously using technological automated guidance and target designation systems, ”said Khatylev.

The military expert of the magazine "Arsenal of the Fatherland" Alexei Leonkov, in turn, said that rotorcraft perform a fairly wide range of combat missions.

But when creating such a helicopter there are certain tasks that affect its design features, because it, unlike an airplane, flies with the help of rotor blades and a propeller. And you need to consider the design of this screw, so that the helicopter is controllable. The Ministry of Defense needs a fast car, the so-called army aviation. It used to be called helicopters. They always accompanied the ground forces, providing air cover and a number of tasks. For example, evacuation, support, in some cases reconnaissance, the fight against enemy armored vehicles and naval aviation. When we talk about new helicopters, now we need faster cars. There are situations when a lightning fast solution is required.

In response to a question about the option that the Ministry of Defense can choose, Leonkov said that the main combat missions for such equipment are now being determined.

There are specifications that are not known to me. When this kind of sampling is carried out, usually the Ministry of Defense develops the so-called technical requirements of the tasks that a combat helicopter should perform. Representatives of the department are considering the characteristics of the machine, that if the project meets these requirements, a technical task will appear, on the basis of which this helicopter will be created. Therefore, three concepts for creating a high-speed helicopter, which should support a speed of over 400 km / h. It should be fast enough.

According to the expert, helicopters have quite extensive combat capabilities, which give them advantages over attack aircraft.

Raise fighters for a long time, and if there is, for example, a helicopter landing pad, and if there are high-speed rotorcraft, you can react quickly enough. In addition, helicopters are capable of such maneuvers that are not subject to aircraft. Helicopters can hang in the air, conduct aggressive fire, move in any direction, namely to where the fighting takes place and at the same time conduct fire support. All this makes helicopters a very interesting tool.