Russia's Universal Combat Platform Is Based On This Shadowy Super Tank 

As part of its military resurgence, Russia plans on rebuilding its mechanized forces around a single 'Universal Combat Platform' that will replace a whole slew of disparate tracked vehicles, some of which have been in service for many decades. At the center of this one-size-fits-all armored strategy is the shadwoy T-14 'Armata' Main Battle Tank.





Although details remain very sketchy, we know that the T-14's main armament includes the 125mm smoothbore 2A82 cannon, which is flanked by 12.7mm gatling gun and a heavy 30mm auto-cannon. The technology behind the T-14 is said to have migrated from the decades spanning T-95 program, which never really went beyond the prototype phase.
The T-14 will be lighter than the T-95 at around 55 tons, and it will be classed somewhere between a heavy and medium battle tank. It will also feature a smaller main gun than the T-95 and will be an overall less complex design. This makes great sense as simpler tank designs have historically been the most successful for Russia. 





Russia's Universal Combat Platform Is Based On This Shadowy Super Tank 

The T-14 will likely run on the 1,800hp or 2,000hp version of the A-85-3A diesel engine tied to an eight speed automatic transmission. Top speed is said to be in excess of 45 mph with a range of over 400 miles being mentioned. A hybrid-drive version may also be in the works for the T-14, although it almost certainly won't be part of the tank's first iterations. Such a system would allow the 50+ ton mammoth to move immediately and near silently at low speed, without having to start-up its loud engine or emit an infrared or smoky visual signature. This capability is seen as a game changer, especially in urban combat environments or when paired with special operators units.
It is not fully clear if the T-14 will leverage an 'unmanned turret' design philosophy, seating everyone in the tank's hull and further separating its occupants from high explosive ammunition. This also continues on, and further extrapolates, Russia's tradition of autoloading tank cannons. Under such a concept, one of the three crewman would control the entire turret in a specialized compartment that would be outfitted with high-end electronics, with technology progressively added to automate the tank's functions as much as possible, with hopes that by doing so will eventually lead to an unmanned main battle tank sometime in the future. Similar sensors and automation technologies have be discussed in relation to the T-14 design as have been promoted as part of the Poland's innovative






Russia's Universal Combat Platform Is Based On This Shadowy Super Tank 

Although the T-14 may look impressive even considering how little we know about it, the Universal Combat Platform concept is even more interesting in that it aims to create on common base for a whole array of heavy tracked combat vehicles. Beyond the T-14, these include a heavy infantry fighting vehicle (called the Kurganets-25), a heavy armored personnel carrier, several types of self-propelled artillery, an air defense platform, a combat engineering vehicle and an armored recovery vehicle.
Russian Generals have compared this new modular design format metaphorically to Legos, where different missionized systems can be plugged and played into the a common Universal Combat Platform chassis. What is even more interesting is that for every type, aside from the T-14 tank apparently, the engine is said to be placed in the front of the vehicle. This design is said to help protect the armored vehicle's inhabitants from forward fire and allows for ease and safety of access out the back during combat operations. 





Russia seems to think that having commonality between all these weapon systems would allow for cost savings, faster fielding, ease of upgrades and beneficial synergies on the battlefield. Considering Russia's historic numerical advantage strategy, this may actually make some sense, although there will be decreased potential performance from each vehicle type compared to fielding individual purpose-built design. Additionally, this 'commonality' concept is nothing new, with the US wheeled Stryker combat vehicle, Littoral Combat Ship and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter being controversial examples of it. In all, the Universal Combat Platform vehicles could replace 2,300 Main Battle Tanks (about 70% of Russia's tank fleet) and thousands more armored fighting and support vehicles by the mid 2020s. That is if Russia can afford it.
Another issue when it comes to the feasibility of fielding a super high-tech new tank, or any other heavy tracked combatant for that matter, is that Russia has recently relied on Western European defense firms for targeting and sensor land combat systems. Having to revert back to Russian industry alone for these extremely high-tech components may be necessary under the current geopolitical situation. With this in mind, we may see a tank built for cutting edge sensors and combat management systems, that has to rely on inferior locally produced electronics. Although this would not neuter the new tank's capabilities, it would surely hamper its combat effectiveness. 





Word is that the Universal Combat Platform concept quietly picked up major pace over the last few years, and was pushed in high gear just last year. Much of the system's technology and requirements remain deeply classified, although this may be coming to an end. The General Director of Uralvagonzavod, who is building this new tracked vehicle family, and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, have both said that the prototype for the T-14 will be unveiled at the 2015 Victory Day Parade, possibly alongside some of its sister vehicles. 





We will just have to wait five months to see if the shadowy T-14 actually appears on Red Square, yet alone if it lives up to its already growing hype. Big claims and questionable results are something that Russia has had some trouble with in recent times when it comes to armored vehicles. So without seeing it for ourselves, when it comes to Russia's combat capabilities, we must take concept art, eye-popping capability claims and rumors with a grain of salt and a shot of Vodka.





Tyler Rogoway is a defense journalist and photographer who maintains the website Foxtrot Alpha for Jalopnik.com You can reach Tyler with story ideas or direct comments regarding this or any other defense topic via the email address Tyler@Jalopnik.com



Russian Battle Robots Near Testing for Military Use

  • The Moscow Times
  • Jan. 02 2015 17:48
  • Last edited 17:48
Russian Defense MinistryThe Defense Ministry plans to use the robots to protect Russia's intercontinental ballistic missile launch sites by 2020.
Machine-gun wielding battle robots are going to be tested in Russia's Astrakhan region for use by the country's Strategic Missile Forces, the Interfax news agency reported Friday.
Major Dmitry Andreyev, a representative for the Defense Ministry's Strategic Missile Forces, was cited as saying that preparation for the testing is currently in its final stage.
The trials will be focused on "exploring mobile and stationary robotic systems, including those that are responsible for the formulation of remote-controlled means of stealth technology and signaling," Andreyev said.
The testing is part of an initiative to deploy robots to protect the Defense Ministry's intercontinental ballistic missile launch sites by 2020, a plan announced by Andreyev last summer.
At that time, Andreyev described the robots as a "remote-controlled firing system" and said testing on the system would be completed by the end of 2014, Interfax reported.
The robots, which weigh 900 kilograms and wield a 12.7 mm machine gun, first underwent testing last April. They boast a speed of up to 45 kilometers per hour, can function for up to 10 hours at a time and remain operational in standby mode for up to one week, Vesti.ru reported at the time.

Russia's T-14 Armata Tank May Feature a Fatal Flaw

By | More Articles
February 14, 2015 | Comments (25) 
 

T-14 Armata main battle tank. Source: YouTube still shot.

Russia is building a supertank -- if the nation can afford it.
Last month, we introduced you to Russia's new Armata main battle tank. Weighing in at 55 tons, and featuring multilayered armor, an independent crew capsule, and a fully automated 125 mm main gun firing both cannon rounds and laser-guided missiles, Armata is designed to be Russia's answer to General Dynamics' (NYSE: GD  ) M1 main battle tank built for the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. We also described how Russia is using Armata ("Армата") as a core chassis upon which it will build an entire family of armored personnel carriers, anti-aircraft missile launchers, armored self-propelled artillery, flame throwers, bridge-layers, and minesweepers -- some operated as robots.
But as high-tech and powerful as all this sounds, the Armata contains one potentially fatal flaw: its cost.
Trouble in Putin's paradise
Late last year, a controversy broke out between Russia's Ministry of Defense (MinOboron) and UralVagonZavod (UVZ), the military contractor responsible for building Armata. As described on Russian-language website gazeta.ru, MinOboron blasted UVZ for offering a tank that it describes as overpriced and incomplete.
To date, Russia has invested 15 billion rubles ($239 million) in developing the Armata tank, and budgeted 39 billion ($622 million) more. But MinOboron is demanding UVZ both complete its design and lower its price. Unless UVZ complies, "MinOboron will not extend the contract for delivery of Armata to the [armed] forces, and will refuse serial purchase. ... We'd rather buy the latest version of the T-90 while they finish up the Armata," said the Defense Ministry.
To date, the Russian army has taken delivery of only 12 prototype Armata tanks, bought in 2013. A contract is in place for production through 2017. But at last report, no long-term contract had been signed.
That's just the problem. According to UVZ, mass production is key to reducing the unit price of the Armata. The tank is expected to be complete and ready for mass production this year. (Indeed, it is scheduled to make its debut at the May 9 Victory Day Parade on Red Square.)


Russian tanks on parade, Victory Day 2005. 
Source: www.kremlin.ru.

But according to gazeta.ru: "MinOboron must buy no fewer than 40 Armata tanks in 2016, 70 in 2017, and 120 annually beginning in 2018" in order to maintain stable, affordable production of the tank. Even then, it would take more than 20 years to produce Russia's desired force of 2,300 Armatas -- pushing the deadline for completion into 2035, while the target date had been 2020.
How much does Armata cost?
Nonetheless, it appears UVZ and MinOboron are getting closer to reaching terms. According to Russian-language website lenta.ru, the sides agreed to a price last month, which will permit UVZ to build the tank in sufficient numbers, and at sufficient speed, to satisfy both parties.
Neither UVZ nor MinOboron are publicly revealing what that price is, however. To the contrary, lenta.ru quoted Russian army reserves Col. Victor Murakhovsky as saying "the tank currently doesn't have a price," but only "a cost of the work, including such things as development cost and the cost of building prototypes."
In Murakhovsky's view, "the first few machines will be 'gold-plated'" due to these costs. UVZ, however, insists that with mass production, it can produce a tank like no other  for roughly half the cost of a Western tank. Lenta interpreted this as meaning Armata will cost "roughly 4-5 million dollars" each, or "a little bit more expensive than a T-90 tank."
What it means to investors
Naturally, all this fascinates Kremlin watchers. But what does it mean to investors? On the one hand, the fact that Russia is spending upward of $9.2 billion to build 2,300 high-tech main battle tanks doesn't quite fit the definition of "good news." We'd much rather Russia spend that money on unicorns and rainbows.
But as investors, we have to live in the real world -- and Russia's arms buildup in general, and its Armata tank program in particular, have real-world implications. Specifically, if Russia is building an army of 21st century robotic supertanks, then chances are the Pentagon will want to upgrade its own tank force -- budget constraints or no.
Budget constraints, of course, are what torpedoed the Pentagon's last transformative effort to remake its armored forces -- the Future Combat Systems project. FCS would have invested $160 billion (or more) into creating a whole new family of weapons systems -- tanks, armored personnel carriers, and more, not unlike what Russia is now attempting to do with the Armata system. Fears that this budget could morph into a $300 billion megaprogram forced the Pentagon to shutter the FCS project in 2009. But Russia's resurgent military spending could bring it back to life.
After all, currently, the Army's tank force centers on an M1 Abrams tank first designed in 1972, to match it. Subsequent iterations of the M1, all the way through the latest "M1A2 SEPv2" design, have added better optics, communications gear, and armor to the basic package. General Dynamics is also working up an M1A3 variant expected to go operational in 2018 or 2019. But by then, Russia's new Armatas should already be in the field, and even the M1A3 might then look a bit stodgy (and at a list price of $9 million
or more, expensive).
Result: If UVZ delivers the Kremlin's new supertank on time and on budget, it could spark a new arms race in tank technology. And with General Dynamics now being America's only major tank producer (at 15% operating profit, according to S&P Capital IQ data; armored vehicles are also its second-most-profitable product), the U.S. company would likely be the top beneficiary domestically of such an arms race.
Invest accordingly.

America's M1A1 main battle tank. Will the Armata tank leave it in the dust? Photo: Flickr.

Fool contributor Rich Smith does not own shares of, nor is he short, any company named above. You can find him on CAPS, publicly pontificating under the handle TMFDitty, where he's currently ranked No. 299 out of more than 75,000 rated members. 

March 02, 2015

Twenty Russian T-14 Armata main battle tanks delivered in February and review of Armata variants

The first 20 T-14 Armata main battle tanks were handed over to the military earlier in February. It was initially thought that the new tank would be revealed then, but authorities decided to keep the tank's details a secret.

The T-14 (Object 149) main battle tank is based on the Armata platform, which has been in development at Uralvagonzavod since 2009. Other than the tank, the platform will be used for armored fighting vehicles (AFVs), self-propelled guns (SPGs), engineering vehicles and other uses.

The Armata tank will reportedly feature a remotely controlled gun and fully automated loading, as well as a separate crew compartment made from composite materials and protected by multilayered armor.

The tank will go through state trials in 2016, and it is expected that by 2020, over 2,300 tanks on the Armata platform will be supplied to the military.
The platform’s chief tank (T-14) sports an unmanned remotely controlled turret armed with a brand new 125 mm 2A82-1M smoothbore cannon. Its muzzle energy is greater than one of the world’s previously considered best cannons: the German Leopard-2 Rheinmetall 120 mm gun. The 125 mm gun has 15-20 percent improved accuracy and its rolling fire angular dispersion has improved 1.7 times. According to Russian media, the Armata tank might also come with a specially developed 152 mm gun, the most powerful ever cannon to be mounted on a main battle tank.
 

The Armata is designed as a modular universal combat platform that could be used as a basis for a variety of combat vehicles, including main battle tanks, fire support, mine clearing, heavy flame throwing and bridge laying vehicles, according to Russian state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport.

Variants that will use the Armata chassis
The "Armata" platform is intended to be the basis for a main battle tank, a heavy infantry fighting vehicle, a combat engineering vehicle, an armoured recovery vehicle, a heavy armoured personnel carrier, a tank support combat vehicle and several types of self-propelled artillery under the same codename based on the same chassis

According to preliminary reports, the new tank designated T-14 will be less radical and ambitious than the canceled ‘Object 195’ or T-95, it will weigh less, therefore, become more agile and will be more affordable, compared to its more ambitious predecessors. Additionally, the Kurganets-25 tracked armored vehicle provides high degree of commonality with the new Armata tank. The Kurganets-25 will evolve into various models, gradually replacing BMP and BMD and MT-LB and other types of tracked armored platforms. The Kurganets-25 will have modular armor that can be upgraded for specific threats, be armed with a 2A42 30 mm autocannon, and have four Kornet-EM anti-tank guided missile launchers.

The Armata will use a new type of lightweight armor designated 44S-SV-SH, developed by Steel Scientific Research Institute enterprise. This armor does not lose its qualities when used in extremely low temperatures, an indication of Russia's military interest in the Arctic.
T-14: Main battle tank

The Armata tank will have a remote weapon station turret and an automated control system, with the crew protected by an armored capsule. It will have an externally mounted 125 mm gun with 32 rounds of ammunition; in addition to tank rounds, a new laser-guided missile able to be fired from the main gun with a tandem anti-tank warhead and a range of 5,000 m (16,000 ft) is planned to be created. The secondary armament will consist of a 30 mm cannon and a 12.7 mm machine gun.


Kurganets-25: Tracked infantry fighting vehicle
Strategy Page indicates in 2014 Russia began testing the newly built prototypes of its new Kurganets 25 IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle). This is based on the Armata chassis and will eventually replace all the existing BMP and BMD IFVs. The 25 ton Kurganets 25 will have a front mounted engine, a crew of three and carry six or seven infantry.


Boomerang 8x8: Armored personnel carrier



2S35 Koalitsiya-SV: Self-propelled gun

2S35 Koalitsiya-SV pic from military-today

Two other variants

BREM-T T-16: recovery vehicle

BM-2 (TOS-2): short range rocket artillery, similar to flamethrower system TOS-1 Buratino

Mil Mi-28

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mi-28
Ми-28-no-balloons.JPG
Role Attack helicopter
National origin Soviet Union/Russia
Manufacturer Mil
First flight 10 November 1982[1]
Introduction 15 October 2009 (Mi-28N)[2]
Status In service[3]
Primary users Russian Air Force
Kenya Air Force
Iraq Air Force
Produced 1982–present
Number built 126[4]
Unit cost
US$15–16 million (2002)
The Mil Mi-28 (NATO reporting name "Havoc") is a Russian all-weather, day-night, military tandem, two-seat anti-armor attack helicopter. It is a dedicated attack helicopter with no intended secondary transport capability, better optimized than the Mil Mi-24 gunship for the role. It carries a single gun in an undernose barbette, plus external loads carried on pylons beneath stub wings.

Development

Origins

In 1972, following completion of the Mil Mi-24, development began on a unique attack helicopter with transport capability. The new design had a reduced transport capability (3 troops instead of 8) and omitted the cabin, to provide better overall performance and higher top speed. Improved performance was important for its intended role fighting against tanks and enemy helicopters and covering helicopter landing operations. Initially, many different designs were considered, including an unconventional project with two main rotors, placed with engines on tips of wings (in perpendicular layout), and with an additional pusher propeller on the tail. In 1977, a preliminary design was chosen, in a classic single-rotor layout. It lost its similarity to the Mi-24, and even the canopies were smaller, with flat surfaces.
Design work on the Mi-28 began under Marat Tishchenko in 1980.[5] In 1981, a design and a mock-up were accepted. The prototype (no. 012) was first flown on 10 November 1982.[5] The second prototype (no. 022) was completed in 1983. In 1984, the Mi-28 completed the first stage of state trials, but in October 1984 the Soviet Air Force chose the more advanced Kamov Ka-50 as the new anti-tank helicopter. The Mi-28 development was continued, but given lower priority. In December 1987 Mi-28 production in Rosvertol in Rostov on Don was approved.
An early production Mi-24 was fitted with an air data boom as an early test for the Mi-28's technologies. Later, a few Mi-24Ds were fitted up with the Mi-28's radome mount for testing the sighting-flight-navigational complex's abilities, and others had redesigned fuselages that closely resemble the future Mi-28, but with rounded cockpits.[6]


A Mil Mi-28N on display
In January 1988 the first Mi-28A prototype (no. 032) flew. It was fitted with more powerful engines and an "X" type tail rotor instead of the three-blade version. The Mi-28A debuted at the Paris Air Show in June 1989. In 1991 the second Mi-28A (no. 042) was completed. The Mi-28A program was cancelled in 1993 because it was deemed uncompetitive with the Ka-50, and in particular, it was not all-weather capable.


Mil Mi-28 nose sensors
The Mi-28N was unveiled in 1995, the N designation meaning "night". The prototype (no. 014) first flew on 14 November 1996. The most significant feature is a radar in a round cover above the main rotor, similar to that of the American AH-64D Apache Longbow. Mi-28N also has improved Tor vision and an aiming device under the nose, including a TV camera and FLIR. Due to funding problems, development was interrupted. A second prototype with an improved rotor design was unveiled in March 2004 at Rosvertol.
Changes in the military situation after the Cold War made specialized anti-tank helicopters less useful. The advantages of the Mi-28N, like all-weather action ability, lower cost, and similarity to the Mi-24, have become important. In 2003, the head of Russian Air Forces stated that the Mi-28N and Ka-50 attack helicopters will become the standard Russian attack helicopter.[7]


Mil Mi-28 gun mounting
The first serial Mi-28N was delivered to the Army on 5 June 2006.[8][9] By 2015, 67 Mi-28Ns are planned to be purchased, when the Mi-24 is to be completely replaced.[9][10]
Mil also developed an export variant of the Mi-28N, designated Mi-28NE, and a simpler day helicopter variant, the Mi-28D, based on the Mi-28N design, but without radar and FLIR.

Mi-40

The Mil Mi-40 was a projected utility version of the Mi-28, first initiated in 1983, announced in 1992 and shown at the Moscow Airshow in 1993. It was primarily intended for the "Aerial Infantry Fighting Vehicle" category as a successor to the Mil Mi-24 and Mi-8 assault helicopters.
It was planned to use two 1,863 kW Klimov TV3-117 turboshaft engines, four-blade main rotor, four-blade Delta H tail rotor (both from the Mi-28), and retractable tricycle-type landing gear. It was expected to weigh 11-12,000 kg and estimated to attain a 3300 m ceiling, a 314 km/h maximum speed and a 260 km/h cruise speed.
Specifications required the functioning in day, night and poor weather as well as carrying eight soldiers (the design achieved seven in practice), eight stretchers or large external loads. An emphasis was placed on survivability with a focus on redundancy, IR suppression and special shock absorbers for the crew to increase the maximum "safe" crash velocity.
The design incorporated a 23 mm cannon (most likely GSh-23L) for defense in the forward hemisphere and a 12.7 mm machine gun (most likely Yak-B) for defense in the rear. Fuselage fairings containing fuel would replace stub wings with missiles mounted above on special hardpoints.
Its design borrowed much from the Mil Mi-36 developed over the previous two years, and would itself be replaced after a year by the Mil Mi-42 project. Although the Mi-40 design would be resurrected for a short period in the 1990s, with optimization studies being completed, it did not reach the prototype stage.

Mi-28NM

Russia will develop and test a prototype Mi-28 with 5th generation attack helicopter features by 2017. Called the Mi-28NM, it has been in development since 2008. Specific characteristics are not known, but may include a low radar signature, extended range, advanced weapons control systems, air-to-air engagement capability, and increased top speed of 600 km/h (370 mph).[11]

Design


A Russian Air Force Mi-28
The Mi-28 is a new-generation attack helicopter that functions as an air-to-air and air-to-ground partner for the Mi-24 Hind and Ka-50 Hokum. The five-blade main rotor is mounted above the body midsection, and short, wide, tapered, weapon-carrying wings are mounted to the rear of body midsection. Two turboshaft engines in pods are mounted alongside the top of the fuselage with downturned exhausts. The fuselage is slender and tapers to the tail boom and nose. It features a tandem, stepped-up cockpits and a cannon mounted beneath the belly, with non-retractable tricycle tail-wheel type landing gear. This energy-absorbing landing gear and seats protect the crew in a crash landing or in a low-altitude vertical fall. The crew is able to survive a vertical fall of up to 12 m/s. The Mi-28 has a fully armoured cabin, including the windshield, which withstands impact by 7.62 and 12.7mm bullets and 20mm shell fragments.[12]
The helicopter design is based on the conventional pod and boom configuration, with a tail rotor. The main rotor head has elastomeric bearings and the main rotor blades are made from composite materials. The tail rotor is designed on a biplane configuration, with independently controlled X-shaped blades. A new design of all plastic rotor blades, which can sustain hits from 30mm shells, has been installed on the Night Havoc Mi-28N helicopter.
"Havoc" is equipped with two heavily armored cockpits, a windshield able to withstand hits from 12.7–14.5 mm caliber bullets, in nose electronics, and a narrow-X tail rotor (55 deg), with reduced noise characteristics. It is powered by two 2,200 hp Isotov TV-3-117VM (t/n 014) turboshaft engines.
While the Mi-28 is not intended for use as a transport, it does have a small passenger compartment capable of carrying three people. The planned purpose of this is to enable the rescue of downed helicopter crews.
The Mi-28N features a helmet mounted display for the pilot. The pilot would designate targets for the Navigator/Weapons Officer, who proceeds to fire the weapons required to fulfill that particular task.The integrated surveillance and fire control system has two optical channels providing wide and narrow fields of view, a narrow-field-of-view optical television channel, and laser rangefinder. The system can move within 110 degrees in azimuth and from +13 to -40 degrees in elevation.[12]
The Night Havoc helicopter retains most of the structural design of the Mi-28. The main difference is the installation of an integrated electronic combat system. Other modifications include: new main gearbox for transmitting higher power to the rotor; new high-efficiency blades with swept-shaped tips; and an engine fuel injection control.[12]
The pilot uses a helmet-mounted target designator, which allocates the target to the navigator's surveillance and fire control system. The navigator/weapons officer is then able to deploy guided weapons or guns against the target. The targeting system follows the direction of the pilot's eyes.[12]

Armament

The Mi-28 is equipped with a chin-mounted 30 mm Shipunov 2A42 autocannon. The cannon is select fire, and has a dual-feed, which allows for a cyclic rate of fire between 200 rounds per minute to 550 rounds per minute. Its effective range varies from 1500 meters for ground vehicles to 2,500 meters for air targets. Rounds from High Explosive Incendiary (HEI) to Armour-Piercing Discarding Sabot (APDS) can be used. Stated penetration for the 3UBR8 is 25 mm of RHA at 1,500 meters.
One common Mi-28 armament are a pair of 8 Ataka missile racks along with 2 B-13L rocket pods, each able to carry 5 S-13 rockets. Other rocket options include two B-8 rocket pods, each able to carry up to 20 S-8 rockets.
There are four variants of the Ataka missile for different tasks. The 9M120 Tandem High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) warhead variant is used against tanks fitted with Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA), its penetrative ability is stated at 800 mm Rolled Homogeneous Armour (RHA).[13] The 9M120F Thermobaric variant is used against infantry, buildings, bunkers, and caves. The 9M120O expanding rod warhead variant is used against other helicopters. All the variants have a range of 6 km. The 9M120M improved version has a longer range (8 km) and better penetration (900 mm of RHA).[14] All of the variants use SACLOS missile guidance.
The S-8 and S-13 rockets used by the Mi-28 are usually unguided. In the most common configuration, one can expect 40 S-8 rockets or 10 S-13 rockets. Both rockets have their variants, from HEAT warheads to a Thermobaric warhead. The S-8 has a shorter range and smaller warhead than the S-13, but compensates with numbers. Currently, the Russian Air Force are upgrading their S-8 and S-13 rockets to laser guided[15] missiles with the proposed Ugroza ("Menace") system. Rockets upgraded under Ugroza would receive designations S-8Kor and S-13Kor, respectively.

Operational history

Russia

The Russian Army received the first Mi-28 prototypes for testing in 2004.[1] It received the first serial production Mi-28N in 2006,[8][9] which then joined two prototype helicopters for army trials. The aircraft entered service in 2006.[16] It has entered service under the name of "Night Hunter" (Russian: Ночной охотник).[citation needed] A squadron of Mi-28Ns from Torzhok took part in a joint army exercise in Belarus in June 2006.[citation needed]
The Russian Air Force had 24 Mi-28s in service in February 2011.[17] On 15 February 2011, a Mi-28 crashed in the southern Russian region of Stavropol. One of the pilots later died in the hospital.[18][19]
The Russian Defense Ministry will procure up to 60 Mi-28UB training versions by 2020. The version will speed up and improve pilot training. Four to six Mi-28UBs will be purchased for every unit that operates the Mi-28N. The Mi-28N is to replace the Mi-24 Hind in the Russian Armed Forces by 2015.[20]

Kenya

In late 2011, Kenya began the process of acquiring 16 Mi-28 ground attack helicopters for its Embakasi based 50th Air Cavalry Division. The attack helicopters were acquired, after senior military officers made several visits to Russia. The helicopter gunships were delivered to the 50th Air Cavalry Division in Kenya on 3 January 2012, from the Russian state owned corporation Rosoboronexport, which is an intermediary for all imports and exports of military related hardware.[21]

Iraq

In October 2012, it was reported that Russia and Iraq may sign a $4.2–$5.0 billion weapons contract, including 30 Mi-28N helicopters.[22] The deal was confirmed on 9 October.[23] The deal was reportedly cancelled due to Iraqi concerns of corruption,[24] but that concern was addressed, and the Iraqi defense minister stated that "the deal is going ahead."[25][26] Despite early complications, all parts of the $4.2 billion contracts were signed, and are being executed. The first contract for 10 Mi-28NE helicopters for Iraq will begin delivery in September 2013.[27] A batch of 13 Mi-28NE helicopters was delivered in January 2014.[28]

India

The Indian Military asked for a modified prototype of Mi-28 fitted with French and Belgian avionics. Russian manufacturers were discussing how to meet these requirements.[29] In late October 2011, it was reported that the American AH-64D had emerged as the front-runner ahead of the Mi-28N to fill a requirement for 22 attack helicopters.[30][31]

Algeria

In June 2010, Algeria was expected to place an order for 42 Mi-28NE helicopters.[32]

Venezuela

In April 2010, Venezuela agreed to order 10 Mi-28s for the Venezuelan Army.[33]

Variants


Mil Mi-28 weapons load
Mi-28
Prototype version; first flight in 1982.
Mi-28A
Original production anti-tank helicopter. Development done in 1998, first flight in 2003.
Mi-28N/MMW Havoc
All weather day-night version. Equipped with a top-mounted millimeter wave radar station, thermographic camera-TV, and a laser rangefinder. Powered by two Russian Klimov TV3-117VMA-SB3 engines (2,500 hp each), produced by the Ukrainian Motor-Sich. Max take off weight 11,500 kg, max payload 2,350 kg.
Mi-28D
simplified daylight operation version. Similar to Mi-28N, but without top-mounted radar and FLIR.
Mi-28NAe
export version offered to North Korea.[34]
Mi-40
Proposed armed transport version. Never reached prototype stage.
Mi-28UB
(Učebno-Bojevoj - training-and-combat) version, designed for training for Mi-28N. Has dual hydromechanical flight controls that can be operated from tandem cockpits, a more spacious lower cockpit to house a flight instructor, a wider pilot canopy, and new energy-absorbing crew seats. Serves as a trainer but can perform attack helicopter tasks.[35]

Operators

 Algeria
 Iraq
 Kenya
 Russia

Specifications (Mi-28N)

Mi-28-Havoc-schema.png
Data from Jane's,[1] RIA Novosti,[39] Russian Helicopters, JSC[40]
General characteristics
  • Crew: 1 pilot (rear), 1 navigator/weapons operator (front)
  • Length: 17.91 m (58 ft 9 in)
  • Rotor diameter: 17.20 m (56 ft 5 in)
  • Height: 3.82 m (12.5 ft (150 in))
  • Disc area: 232.35 m² (2,501 ft²)
  • Empty weight: 7,890 kg (17,400 lb)
  • Loaded weight: 10,500 kg (23,150 lb)
  • Max. takeoff weight: 11,700 kg (25,800 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Klimov TV3-117 turboshaft, 1,636 kW (2,194 shp) each
Performance
Armament
  • Guns: 1× chin-mounted 30 mm Shipunov 2A42 cannon with 250 rounds (±110° horizontal fire)
  • Hardpoints: Two pylons under each stub wing to mount bombs, rockets, missiles, and gun pods. Main armament configurations include:

See also

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Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

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July 06, 2015

Russia's Armata spurring a revival in main battle tanks

Germany plans to update their Main Battle Tank (MBT), the Leopard 2, less than three weeks after the Russians debuted their new Armata tanks. The Germans will be conducting joint capability studies with France, set to run through 2018, before deciding on a design.
Germany will modernize and put back into service 100 mothballed Leopard 2 tanks.
During the Cold War, the former West Germany bought 2,125 new Leopard 2s. As part of post-Cold War defense cuts, most of the tanks were sold back to the original manufacturers. Four years ago, the German Defense Ministry decided to cut its total from 350 to 225.
Now, Flosdorff said a decision has been made to raise that number to 328. Of that total, 320 will be made ready for battle; the other eight will be used for demonstrations.
The US doesn't currently have a new MBT planned; the upgraded M1A3 model of the Abrams tank, originally slated to be combat-ready by 2017, has been pushed back, with research and development now set to start sometime in the 2020









 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 SOURCES - Defence News, Vice, Financial Post