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Mi-24 HIND
Mi-25 HIND D
Mi-35 HIND E

The Mi-24, the first helicopter to enter service with the Russian Air Force as an assault transport and gunship, was developed on the basis of the Mi-8's propulsion system. Additional missions include direct air support, antitank, armed escort, and air to air combat. The helicopter was used extensively in the Afghanistan War, becoming the "signature" weapon of the conflict. The Mi-24 is a close counterpart to the American AH-64 Apache, but unlike this and other Western assault helicopters it is also capable of transporting up to eight troops. The Russians have deployed significant numbers of HINDs in Europe and have exported the HIND to many third world countries.

The five-blade main rotor is mounted on top of fuselage midsection, while short, stubby, weapon-carrying wings are mounted at the fuselsage midsection. Two turboshaft engines are mounted above body midsection with two round air intakes located just above the cockpit and exhaust ports on the sides of engines. The Hind A fuselage consists of a large, oval-shaped body with a glassed-in cockpit, tapering at the rear to the tail boom. The Hind D fuselage features nose modification with tandem bubble canopies, and a chin-mounted turret. The swept-back tapered tail fin features a rotor on the right on some models, with tapered flats on a boom just forward of the fin.

External stores are mounted on underwing external stores points. Each wing has three hardpoints for a total of six stations. A representative mix when targeting armor formations would be eight AT-6 ATGMs, 750x 30-mm rounds, and two 57-mm rocket pods. The aircraft can store an additional ammunition basic load in the cargo compartment in lieu of carrying troops. Armored cockpits and titanium rotor head able to withstand 20-mm cannon hits. Every aircraft has an overpressurization system for operation in a NBC environment.

The HIND’s wings provide 22% to 28% of its lift in forward flight. In a steep banking turn at slower airspeeds, the low wing can lose lift while it is maintained on the upper wing, resulting in an excessive roll. This is countered by increasing forward airspeed to increase lift on the lower wing. Because of this characteristic, and the aircraft’s size and weight, it is not easily maneuverable. Therefore they usually attack in pairs or multiple pairs, and from various directions.

VARIANTS

Nearly all of the older HIND A, B and C variants have been upgraded or modified to the HIND D or E standard.

Specifications

Country of OriginRussia
Builder MIL
Date of Introduction 1976 (HIND D)
RoleAssault, gunship, antitank
Similar AircraftAH-1 Cobra (all models), UH-60 Black Hawk, AH-64 Apache, Mangusta A129
Blades Main rotor: 5
Tail rotor: 3
Rotor diameter Main Rotor : 17.3 meters
Tail Rotor: 3.9 meters
Wing span 6.5 meters
Length Length : 21.6 m (rotors turning)
Length : 17.5 m (fuselage)
Height 13 ft., 11 in.
6.5 meters (gear extended)
Cargo Compartment Dimensions Floor Length: 2.5 meters
Width: 1.5 meters
Height: 1.2 meters
Weight Maximum Gross: 11,500 kg
Normal Takeoff: 11,100 kg
Empty: 8,500 kg
Fuel Internal: 1,840 liters
Internal Aux Tank (in cabin): 1,227 liters
External Fuel Tank: 500 liters ea.
Engine 2 x 2,200 shp Isotov TV-3-117 turbines
Maximum speed168 mph / 335 km/h
Cruising speed 295 km/h
Range Normal Load: 450 km
With Aux Fuel: 950 km
Service Ceiling4,500 meters
Hover out of ground effect: 1,500 meters
in ground effect : 2,200 meters
Vertical Climb Rate 15 m/s
Max “G” Force 1.75 g
Standard Payload Internal load: 8 combat troops or 4 litters
External weapons load: 1,500 kg
External load (no weapons): 2,500 kg
Armament 12.7-mm 4x Barrel Machinegun, YaKB-12.7:
Range (m): (practical) 1,500
Elevation/Traverse: 20° up to 60° down/ 120°
Ammo Type: HEFI, APT, Duplex, DuplexT
Rate of Fire (rpm): up to 4,500 (pilot selectable)

30-mm Twin Barrel Cannon, GSh-30K:
Range (m): (practical) 4,000
Elevation/Traverse: None (rigidly mounted)
Ammo Type: HEFI, HEI, APT, APE, CC
Rate of Fire (rpm): 300, or 2,000 to 2,600

  • 750 - 1x twin 30-mm gun, or
  • 1,470 - 12.7-mm 4 barrel turret gun
  • 2-12 - AT-2C or AT-6C Spiral ATGMs
  • 2-4 - 80-mm S-8 rocket pods (20 ea.)
  • 2-4 - 57-mm S-5 rocket pods (32 ea.)
  • 940 - GSh-23L twin 23-mm MG pods
  • 4 - 250-kg bombs FAB-250
  • 2 - 500-kg bombs
  • 500 liters External fuel tanks

    Most Probable Armament
  • HIND D: Turret-mounted 4-barrel 12.7-mm Gatling type machinegun, 57-mm rockets, AT-2C/ SWATTER ATGMs.
  • HIND E: Turret-mounted 4-barrel 12.7-mm Gatling type machinegun or twin barrel 23-mm turret gun, 57-mm rockets, AT-6C/ SPIRAL ATGMs.
  • HIND F: Fixed 30-mm twin gun on the right fuselage side, 57-mm rockets, AT-6C/ SPIRAL ATGMs.

    Loaded combat troops can fire personal weapons through cabin windows.
    • SensorsFLIR, RWR, laser designator
    AVIONICS
  • The ATGM targeting system uses a low-level light TV, a laser designator, FLIR, air data sensor, and a missile guidance transmitter.
  • HIND D versions are primarily daytime aircraft only. Some HIND E and Mi-35 series export versions have upgraded night and weather capabilities, better avionics, weather radar, autopilot, HUD, GPS, NVG compatibility, more armor, and an increased weapons load provided by the French company Sextant Avionique.
    • Survivability
  • Main and tail rotors electrically deiced.
  • Infrared signature suppressors can be mounted on engine exhausts.
  • Radar warning receivers, IFF, Infrared jammer, rotor brake, chaff and flares.
  • Armored cockpit.
    • Crew Two (pilots in tandem cockpits)
    Cost
    User Countries At least 34 countries -- Armenia, Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Belarus, Bulgaria, Cambodia, CIS, Cuba, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, North Korea, Peru, Poland, Slovakia, South Yemen, Syria, Ukraine, Vietnam

    Sources and Resources


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    http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/row/mi-24.htm
    Maintained by Robert Sherman
    Originally created by John Pike
    Updated Wednesday, August 9, 2000 12:36:30 PM