ARMY 2018: Rostec presents a modernized Night Hunter helicopter
The modernized Mi-28NE helicopter is presented at the static exposition of the forum. Improvements were primarily related to armaments. The "Night Hunter" has the new Khrizantema-M anti-tank missile with a dual guidance system. Using this missile will increase the tank-type target engagement range to 10 km. The helicopter is also fitted with the modernized Ataka guided missiles with laser guidance. It can also use aerial bombs weighing up to 500 kg.
"Modernization involved engine power and blades, which improved aircraft performance in highland regions and in hot climates, increased the cruising speed of the machine and its capabilities in terms of advanced aerobatics. A larger tailplane improved the controllability of the helicopter. New armaments installed on the machine will increase its firepower, and the fact that the aircraft can be used in more fields will mean that it will be in greater demand on the market," said Anatoly Serdyukov, Industrial Director, Aviation Cluster of Rostec State Corporation.
In addition, the new Mi-28NE helicopter can interact with drones and operate them remotely, as it has special means of communication.
"We are constantly improving military helicopters because the requirements of our customers change, and we always aim to meet them. Due to the experience of using Mi-28 machines during military operations we knew how to further develop this project. The modernization considerably increased the capabilities of Mi-28NE helicopters and offered us new prospects in terms of exports," noted Andrey Boginsky, CEO of Russian Helicopters.
The Mi-28N attack helicopter (the export version is Mi-28NE) is designed for fire support of forward ground troops, motorized infantry and tanks. The "Night Hunter" helicopter has enhanced armor and greater combat survivability. It also has a complex of modern high-precision guided and unguided weapons.
The advantages of the helicopter include resistance to battle damage due to the use of the most modern materials and design solutions. The blades of the Mi-28N main rotor are made of composite materials, which means that a flight can still be completed safely if they are hit by shells of 20 to 30 mm. The fuel system is designed in such a way that fuel can neither explode nor burn. The Mi-28N helicopter is one of the first Russian helicopters to be fitted with modern means of communication and digital avionics.
JSC Russian Helicopters (part of Rostec State Corporation) is one of the world leaders in helicopter industry, the only developer and manufacturer of helicopters in Russia. The holding company was established in 2007. The head office is located in Moscow. The holding company is comprised of five helicopter plants, two design bureaus, enterprises for production and maintenance of components, aircraft repair plants and a service company providing after-sales support in Russia and abroad. The buyers of the holding company's products include the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, EMERCOM of Russia, and other state customers, Gazprom Avia and UTair airlines, as well as major Russian and foreign companies.
Rostec Corporation is a Russian corporation that was established in 2007 to facilitate the development, production and export of high-tech industrial products designed for civilian and military applications. The Corporation comprises over 700 organizations that are currently part of eleven holding companies operating in the military-industrial complex and four holding companies working in civilian industry, as well as over 80 directly managed organizations. Rostec's portfolio includes well-known brands such as AVTOVAZ, KAMAZ, Concern Kalashnikov, Russian Helicopters, UralVagonZavod, etc. Rostec companies are located in 60 constituent entities of the Russian Federation and supply products to the markets of more than 100 countries. In 2017 the consolidated revenue of Rostec reached 1 trillion 589 billion rubles, while the consolidated net income and EBITDA amounted to 121 and 305 billion rubles respectively. In 2017 the average salary in the Corporation was 46 thousand rubles. According to Rostec's strategy, the main objective of the Corporation is to ensure that Russia has a technological advantage in highly competitive global markets. Rostec's key objectives include the introduction of a new techno-economic paradigm and digitalization of Russian economy.