Work to resume on Mi-28N Havoc later this year (279 words)

Published: 5/22/2001

According to Mil, the tests of the VK-2500 (TV3-117VMA-SB3) engine on the Mi-24VM will resume this summer, after being postponed in the middle of 2000, owing to problems with the delivery of fuel equipment, now scheduled to arrive at the plant in the next two months. The actual nature of the tests was not specified, other than the equipment was required for operation in “special modes”. The engine, which is intended for both the re-engining of the Mi-24 and the Mi-28N, was certified in January 2001 by its producer, Klimov, and was due to replace the TV3-117MA on production lines at both Motor Sich and Klimov. The Russia Military News Agency has also said that, in late 2001, Rosvertol will produce the second prototype of the Mi-28N Havoc. Production of the aircraft was originally planned for this summer, but was delayed because of lack of funding, after a reported $150m had been spent on the helicopter's development. Although favoured by the army, it is not known exactly what the status of the programme is, given that the MoD chose the Ka-50 over the Mi-28, after a protracted competition. The helicopter has been presented to a number of export customers, including Sweden, and was offered last year to South Korea in competition with the Ka-52. The South Korean pitch caused considerable debate over the merits of competing exports agencies and prompted discussions that led to the merger of Promexport and Rosvooruzhenie, the agencies that had presented the helicopters, in addition to the fuelling the arguments over the merits of continuing with two attack helicopter developments.

Article ID: 2551