Mil Mi-24 variants

Early Mi-24 series

The Russian Mil Mi-24 helicopter has had a large number of variants.

History

The Mi-24 (Russian: Миль Ми-24; NATO reporting name: Hind) went from drawing board in 1968 to first test-flights in less than eighteen months. The first models were delivered to the armed forces for evaluation in 1971. The Hind-A did have a number of problems: lateral roll, weapon sighting problems, and limited field of view for the pilot. A heavy redesign of the aircraft front section solved most of these problems.

List of variants

A-10
Designation given to the aircraft used for record breaking from 1975 in The FAI E1 class.[1]
V-24
The first version, twelve prototypes and development aircraft. The first V-24 mockup resembled the Bell UH-1A Huey. Later models resembled the future Hind-A, one of which was modified in 1975 as A-10 for speed record attempts with wings removed and faired over and with inertia-type dampers on the main rotor head. The A-10 reached a speed of 368 km/h.
Mi-24
(Hind-A) Other early versions were the armed assault helicopter, which could carry eight combat troops and three crew members. It could also carry four 57mm rocket pods on four underwing pylons, four MCLOS 9M17 Fleyta (AT-2 Swatter) anti-tank missiles on two underwing rails, free-fall bombs, plus one Afanasev A-12.7 12.7mm machine-gun in the nose. The Mi-24 was the first production model.
Mi-24B
(Hind-A) Experimental series of Hind-A, one of which was used to test the Fenestron tail rotor.
Mi-24F
(Hind-A) Modified Hind-A with seven reinforcing ribs on the port fuselage aft of the wing and the SRO-2M Khrom ("Odd Rods") IFF antenna relocated from the canopy to the oil cooler. The APU exhaust was also extended and angled downwards. The designation may be unofficial.
Mi-24A
(Hind-B) The Mi-24A was the second production model. Both the Mi-24 and Mi-24A entered Soviet Air Force service in 1972. Lacks the four-barrel Yak-B 12.7mm machine gun under the nose.
Mi-24U
(Hind-C) Training version without nose gun and wingtip stations.
Mi-24BMT
Small number of Mi-24s converted into minesweepers.
Mi-24D
(Hind-D) The Mi-24D was a purer gunship than the earlier variants. It entered production in 1973. The Mi-24D has a redesigned forward fuselage, with two separate cockpits for the pilot and gunner. It is armed with a single 12.7mm four-barrel Yak-B machine-gun under the nose. It can carry four 57mm rocket pods, four SACLOS 9M17 Phalanga anti-tank missiles (a significant enhancement compared to the MCLOS system found on the Mi-24A), plus bombs and other weapons. One Mi-24D was sold to Poland in January 1996 and was used by the WTD 61 in Manching during 1994 for tests with the head of a Hawk missile in place of the chin-mounted gun. This version also had an unidentified modification in the rear cabin window on the starboard side.
Mi-24PTRK
This version was the Mi-24D modification that was used for testing the Shturm V missile system for the Mi-24V.
Mi-24DU
Small numbers of Mi-24Ds were built as training helicopters with doubled controls.
Mi-24V
(Hind-E) Later development led to the Mi-24V which entered production in 1976 and was first seen by the west in the early 1980s. It was armed with the more advanced 9M114 Shturm (AT-6 Spiral). Eight of those missile are mounted on four outer wing pylons. It was the most widely produced version with more than 1,500 made. In Polish service this aircraft is designated Mi-24W. One Mi-24V was referred to as Mi-24T for unknown reasons.
Arsenal Mi-24V upgrade
Ukrainian upgrade for Mi-24V
Mi-24P
(Hind-F) The gunship version, which replaced the 12.7mm machine-gun with a fixed side-mounted 30mm GSh-30K twin-barrel cannon.
Mi-24TECh-24
"Mobile Repair Shop" Experimental Hind-F to test abilities for recovery of downed aircraft.
Mi-24VP
(Hind-E Mod) Development of Mi-24V made in 1985 which replaced the machine-gun with twin 23mm cannons in a movable turret. Entered service in 1989, but only 25 were made before production ended the same year.[2] One Mi-24VP flew with the Delta-H tail rotor of the Mi-28.
Mi-24VU
(Hind-E) Indian training version of Mi-24V "Hind-E".
Mi-24VD
This version was produced in 1985 to test a rear defensive gun.
Mi-24RKhR
(Hind-G1) NBC reconnaissance model, which is designed to collect radiation, biological and chemical samples. It was first seen during the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Also known as the Mi-24R, Mi-24RK and Mi-24RKh (Rch).
Mi-24RA
(Hind-G1 Mod) New version of the Mi-24V.
Mi-24RR
Radiation reconnaissance model derived from the Mi-24R.
Mi-24K
(Hind-G2) Army reconnaissance, artillery observation helicopter.
Mi-24M
Proposed naval version, unbuilt.
Mi-24VM
upgraded Mi-24V with updated avionics to improve night-time operation, new communications gear, shorter and lighter wings, and updated weapon systems to include support for the Ataka, Shturm and Igla-V missiles and a 23mm main gun. Other internal changes have been made to increase the aircraft life-cycle and ease maintenance. The Mi-24VM is expected to operate until 2015
Mi-24VN
(Hind-E) (Mi-35O "Hind-E") A night-attack version based on an Mi-24V in Mi-24VM Stage 1 configuration.
Mi-24PM
Upgraded Mi-24P using same technologies as in Mi-24VM.
Mi-24PN
The Russian military has selected this upgraded Mi-24 to be their primary attack helicopter. The PN version has a TV and a FLIR camera located in a dome on the front of the aircraft. Other modifications include using the rotor blades and wings from the Mi-28 and fixed rather than retractable landing gear. The Russians received 14 Mi-24PNs in 2004 and plan on eventually upgrading all of their Mi-24s.[3]
Mi-24PS
Civil police or paramilitary version, equipped with a FLIR, searchlight, loudspeaker PA system and attachments for rappelling ropes.
Mi-24V Ecological Survey Version
Environmental research modification developed by the Polyot Industrial Research Organisation.
Mi-25
The export version of the Mi-24D.
Mil Mi-35MS (September 2014)
Mil Mi-35M Russian Air Force
Mi-35
The export version of the Mi-24V.
Mi-35M
Night attack version, is fitted with upgraded advanced avionics and sensor package, including night vision systems, GOES-342 electro-optical range finder/targeting system, GLONASS/GPS navigation system, electronic multifunction displays, onboard computer, and jam-proof communications equipment.[4] Also known as Mi-35M1.
Mi-35MS
Flying Comandopost variant of Mi-35M. Operated by the Federal Protective Service (FSO).[5]
Mi-35M2
Updated version of the Mi-35M for the Venezuelan Army.
Mi-35M3
Export Mi-24VM.
Mi-35M4
(AH-2 Sabre) Updated version of the Mi-35M with Israeli avionics for the Brazilian Air Force.
Mi-35O
Export version of the Mi-24VN using a Mexican FLIR camera and a glass cockpit with upgraded avionics. Operated by Mexico only.
Mi-35P
The export version of the Mi-24P.
Mi-35U
Unarmed training version of the Mi-35.
Mi-24 SuperHind Mk.II
Modern western avionics upgrade produced by South African company Advanced Technologies and Engineering (ATE).[6] Prototypes converted from Mi-24R models, and one Mi-24P was used to test sighting system.
Mi-24 SuperHind Mk.III
Extensive operational upgrade of the original Mi-24 including weapons, avionics and counter measures.[7]
Mi-24 SuperHind Mk.IV
Upgraded Mk. III version with Pall vortex engine air particle separator system over the engine intakes.
Mi-24 SuperHind Mk.V
Newest version of the "SuperHind" with fully redesigned front fuselage and cockpit.
Mi-24 Afghanistan field modifications
Passenger compartment armour and exhaust suppressors were often removed. Due to accidental firing while switching sides, the door gunner was given both a port and starboard gun. Extra rounds for the rocket pods to allow self-reloading near the battlefield and also heavy weapons for self-defense were often carried.[8]
Tamam Mi-24 HMOSP
Israeli upgrade.
Mi-PSV
experimental helicopter based on the Mil Mi-24 (PSV stands for Perspektivny skorostnoi vertolet (Перспективный скоростной вертолёт) - prospective (future) high speed helicopter). Single-seat streamlined cockpit, unarmed, fitted with experimental main rotors for research into high-speed flight, with a target of increasing the speed of the Mil Mi-28N by 10% and the Mil Mi-35M by 13%.[9][10] A Mi-24LL PSV demonstrator flew at a level flight speed of "greater than 405 km/hr (219 kt)", higher[11] than of the 400 kph / 216 kn official record by Lynx in 1986.[12]

References

  1. ↑ Taylor, John W.R. (1983). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1982–83. London: Jane's Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0-7106-0748-5.
  2. ↑ Yefim Gordon & Dmitry Komissarov (2001). Mil Mi-24 Hind, Attack Helicopter. Airlife.
  3. ↑ Russia Gets More Pretty Super Gunships, strategypage.com
  4. ↑ MIL Mi-35M, Aviamarket
  5. ↑
  6. ↑ Superhind Mk2. ATE Group. Archived March 2, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
  7. ↑ Superhind MkIV. ATE Group. Archived March 2, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
  8. ↑ Greg Goebel, "Hind Variants/Soviet Service"
  9. ↑ FlugRevue: 54f. November 2015. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. ↑ Karnozov, Vladimir. "Russian Military Still Funding High-Speed Rotorcraft". ainonline.com. Moscow. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  11. ↑ "AHS - Russia sets unofficial speed record". 8 November 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
  12. ↑ "Rotorcraft Absolute: Speed over a straight 15/25 km course". Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). Note search under E-1 Helicopters and "Speed over a straight 15/25 km course". Accessed: 26 April 2014.
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