Story ID: 247
Rostvertol Enhances Military and Civil Offerings
By: Mark Phelps
Caption: New models of legacy airframes take advantage of advances in technology
Word Count: 642
The Rostvertol division of Russian Helicopters (Stand J53) is here in Singapore promoting products from its military and civilian lines. On the military side, there’s the new dual-control version of its all-weather Mi-28NE Night Hunter combat rotorcraft. Developed from experience and combat applications involving the Mi-35 series (in service with more than 20 countries’ armed services), the Mi-28NE is touted for its enhanced maneuverability. It can perform advanced aerobatics, the better to evade missile attacks. The Mi-28NE, along with its stablemate Mi-35M were demonstrated for the first time at last August’s MAKS-2015 show near Moscow.

The Mi-28NE’s missions include destroying armored surface vehicles, as well as low-flying aerial targets such as ground-attack aircraft, unmanned aerial systems, and other helicopters. Other missions include surveillance and target designation. The Mi-28NE’s weapons suite includes Ataka air-to-ground “smart” munitions; Igla heat-seeking air-to-air missiles; and S-8 and S-13 unguided rockets. A 30mm gun mount is also available.

The helicopter also includes armor protection for the cockpit and vital systems, capable of turning aside 12.7-mm and 20-mm armor-piercing ammunition. To further improve combat survivability, the Mi-28NE doubles redundancy of its vital systems, including adding engine controls to the second cockpit seat. It also includes the S28 on-board defense complex, which includes protection against: infrared self-homing missiles; hostile electronic armament controls and active reconnaissance technology; laser irradiation, and the ability to identify the type, location and range of the source.

Improvements on the latest Mi-35M model include an upgraded guided weapons suite: a swiveling nose-mounted NPPU-23 double-barrel 23mm canon; an ATGM missile system operating Shturm or Ataka missiles, B8V20 rocket pods for 80mm S-8 rockets; and up to two underslung UPK-23-250 gun pods operating 23mm canon. The Mi-35M has an S35 on-board defense complex for defense against guided missiles with self-homing sensor heads.

Due to sanctions against Russia, the Mi-35M has been re-engined with Russian-built VK-2500-02 engines. For the same reason, other Russian-built elements are incorporated into the latest version of the combat helicopter. It operates a new pilot’s sight (identical to the one on the Mi-28NE) and other components formerly supplied by manufacturers in countries where Russian Helicopters is no longer permitted to do business.

Civil Helicopters

Civil rotorcraft are also on the menu at Russian Helicopters’ Rostvertol corporate plans. The heavy-transport Mi-26T2 is the latest iteration of a legacy airframe platform. New features give the mammoth rotorcraft more utility, focused on all-weather and night operations. For a start, the crew requirement is reduced to three from five (excepting an eternal sling operator).

Modern avionics boost the mission capability of the Mi-26T. Five multifunction LCD displays (with electromechanical backups) greatly enhance crew situational awareness. An onboard video system monitors sling operations. A digital autopilot reduces pilot workload, while collision-avoidance and ground-proximity-warning systems improve safety and add utility. Missions that would have been too risky without these features can now be performed routinely.

The passenger/cargo area is heated and air-conditioned for creature comfort, but also to allow the helicopter to carry temperature-sensitive payloads. Those payloads are now easier to load and unload thanks to the Mi-26T2’s upgraded floor and traversing equipment. Crews can now safely and securely moor aviation cargo pallets for added safety during flight.

The upgraded Mi-26T is now better suited to several of its core missions. They include personnel transport; bulky cargo operations (including external sling missions); emergency evacuation and medical transport; building and construction (placing heavy materials and components, such as heating and air-conditioning components); firefighting; logging; and more. The Mi-26T2 can even carry its own supplemental fuel supply and refueling equipment to set up autonomous operations in remote locations.