Extensive upgrades make for highly sophisticated offering (483 words)

Published: 6/22/2001

Rostov-based Rostvertol's upgrade of the Mi-24/35 - the night capable Mi-35M - has been displayed at Paris and is due to fly with its new engine later this summer. It is fitted with a new titanium main rotor head combined with composite main and tail rotor blades developed for Mil's Mi-28 attack helicopter, so reducing weight and improving climb. According to the producer, the helicopter will eventually be powered by the FADEC-equipped VK-2500 (TV3-117VMA-SB3), which is due to restart tests this summer, according to its producer, Klimov. The aircraft displayed at Paris, however, was equipped with the less powerful Klimov TV3-117 . The aircraft has an significantly upgraded cockpit, featuring two IV-86-2 LCDs (screen sized 6x8 in) in the rear cockpit and one forward. These have been developed by Russian Avionics and produced by the Ryazan State Plant, both companies being members of the St Petersburg based aerospace equipment consortium, Aerospace Equipment Corporation. The aircraft also has a MVK digital computer, UVV interface unit and BRK command block from Russian Avionics. The OPS-24 gyrostabilised platform, developed by Urals Optics Mechanical Plant (UOMZ), is installed under the nose, housing laser rangefinder, thermal imager, low-level TV and other sensors. The pilot wears the Skosok night goggles. The shorter wings provide attachment points for the Ataka anti tank missiles guided by the Shturm-V aiming system. The Mi-35M also carries S-8 and S-13 unguided rockets, Igla-V air-to-air missiles and the GSh-23 twin-barrel 23-mm gun in the nose turret. The aircraft on display differs from the many other Mi-24 upgrades, including the Mi-24VK-1 presented in March by the Russian Army, in that it has new generation guided missiles. According to Mil, the next Mi-24 upgrade, the VK-2, is being developed, although it was originally scheduled to be flying by the end of last year, and this will feature similar aiming systems to those on display on the Mi-35M. Rosvertol admits that many potential customers for the upgrade are looking for considerably less sophistication than is actually offered, such as the Zimbabwean Air Force, which announced upgrades for four aircraft with a more basic upgrade specification. The Mi-24VK-1, first flew two years ago and has been accepted by the Russian MoD for evaluation as the upgrade of Russia's ageing fleet of Mi-24s. In May, the second Mi-24VK, modified to meet the revised MoD specification, began flight tests in the mountainous terrain part of the final stage of the state trials. The helicopter is also being offered with a data link system, enabling the transfer of targeting data from the helicopter in real time. According to reports, such a system is currently being evaluated on a Mi-8MTKO and Su-27UBM aircraft, with the objective of allowing all combat aircraft to exchange data.

Article ID: 2600