Mi-28N(E) Helicopter

Mi-28N(E) is a classical single-main-rotor aircraft having a tail rotor. Its airframe is all-metal semimonocoque.

The Mi-28N(E) helicopter was developed on the basis of experience in creation and application of Mi-35 type helicopters, which were delivered to more than 20 countries in the world and which took part in more than 30 local wars and combat conflicts as well as other helicopters of similar purpose.

The Mi-28N(E) has high reliability, combat readiness and performance. The helicopter is also stable in heavy-duty operation conditions and it can also be adapted to new equipment and armament systems.

The helicopter possesses high maneuverability. It is capable to perform eights (Nesterov loop, immelman, barrel, etc.) what allows to perform anti-missile maneuvers more efficiently.

Typical combat missions of the helicopter:

• destruction of armored vehicles, pillboxes of bunker type, artillery, army air defence and enemy’s small-size surface objects;
• destruction of low-flying low-speed air targets (helicopter, UAV, transport aircraft);
• air reconnaissance, target designation for combat helicopters/fixed wing aircraft;
• air support of land troops at the battle field and killing of enemy’s manpower;
• patrolling of dangerous areas and fighting with militants/terrorist groups.

VK-2500-02 high power engines are installed on the helicopter, which are the latest modification of TV3-117 series engines.

VK-2500-02 have the following features:

• improved high performance;
• increased in comparison with TV3-117 engine assigned service life (up to 6000 hours);

and provide:

• effective operation of the helicopter in high-temperature conditions;
• safe flight and landing with one engine inoperative.

New heat-resistant materials are used on the helicopter, compressor first stage disc is reinforced, electro-mechanical engine control system is used. It allowed increasing temperature of gases in front of the compressor turbine and the free turbine, increase the turbine compressor rotation rate.

“Maximum” and “emergency” modes during flight with one non-operating engine are provided on the helicopter.

For the first time in Russian practice, spherical elastomeric hinges were used to replace feathering, flapping and drag hinges of the main rotor hub structure.

Other hub hinges feature self-lubricating metal-fluoroplastic and fabric bearings. As a result number of lubricating points was minimized.

The Mi-28N(E) has an X-type tail rotor which provides better performance in compare with the usual tail rotor.

Take-off-landing devices are of fixed three-point type with a tail wheel.

Increased damping stroke of the undercarriage and crash-proof seats provide for higher loads to be absorbed during emergency landing.

The helicopter is fitted with BREO-28(E) airborne radio-electronic system.

BREO-28(E) is designed to solve navigation and piloting tasks, combat missions deployment, providing of flight safety, monitoring of helicopter systems and BREO sub-systems operation round-the-clock in simple and adverse weather conditions.

To defend the helicopter against aviation missiles , anti-aircraft missiles and anti-aircraft artillery complexes by means of thread detection and counterforce attacking means — On-Board Defence Complex is installed on the Mi-28N(E).

Mi-28N(E) helicopter’s high combat survivability in conditions of intensive counteraction of enemy’s air-defence means is provided due to duplication and reservation of the most vital systems.

To increase Mi-28N(E) survivability, its engines are spaced apart to airframe sides with the main gear box placed between them for less likely damage by one shot. A single-engine flying is provided with automatic power increase to the maximum in case of a failure/damage of the other.

All-around armoring of the cockpit, duplication and reciprocal shielding of the helicopter’s main systems and aggregates is applied.

The layout of the helicopter allowed increasing its survivability, using a nose-mounted turreted gun unit, providing preset firing accuracy and faster, in compare with turn of the whole helicopter, barrel slewing rates over a wider angle range.

To prevent fuel explosion and leakage in case the tanks are hit by 7.62-mm and 12.7-mm bullets and fragments all the main fuel tanks are filled with foam polyurethane and installed in protected containers.

To provide crew’s and helicopter’s main aggregates survivability when accomplishing combat missions the helicopter is fitted out with armoring.

Main armoring elements:

1. Multi-layer armored pilot’s and operator’s windows;
2. Armor plates on pilot’s and operator’s door.

Applied armoring of the flight compartment withstands direct hit of:

• 12.7-mm armor-piercing bullets;
• 20-mm high-explosive projectiles;
• missiles fragments.

Main rotor composite blades installed on the helicopter allow preserving their operability if hit by artillery 30-mm caliber projectiles.

Effective accomplishment of combat missions is provided by an armament complex consisting of:

• standard moving gun unit NPPU-28 featuring a 30-mm 2A42 gun;
• “Ataka” missiles (up to 16 missiles) and “Strelets” (up to 4 missiles);
• four B8V20-A rocket pods (each housing 20 rockets) for launching 80-mm S-8 type rockets;
• up to 4 B13L1 packs with S-13 rockets of 122 mm caliber.

Main flight-technical characteristics: