Potential and its demonstration. Attack helicopters in the Special Military Operation
Together with other branches of the military, the army is participating in the current Special Military Operation aviation, incl. combat helicopters. Equipment of modern models and modifications, equipped with up-to-date instruments and weapons, searches for and destroys various targets, conducts patrols and covers land columns, and also solves other tasks. Some episodes of the combat use of helicopters have recently been shown on video.
Helicopters in the frame
On February 28, the Ministry of Defense published a short video dedicated to the combat work of helicopter aviation during the current Special Operation. On March 1, another video was posted showing how helicopters ensure the work of special forces. The next day, a new video showed helicopters escorting and covering the convoy.
The published videos show that helicopters of almost all relevant types are participating in the Special Operation. These are the transport and assault version of the Mi-8 and the combat Mi-35s, as well as the attack Ka-52 and Mi-28N. Curiously, there has been some confusion. So, in media publications, the Mi-28N helicopters that got into the frame are sometimes called promising Mi-28NM. Knowing the differences between the two modifications, it is easy to determine that the video from the Ministry of Defense contains equipment of an older type.
In its videos, the Ministry of Defense showed how front-line aviation solves several different tasks. The video included patrolling and escorting columns, transporting and landing troops. At the same time, frames from the video dated February 28 are of the greatest interest. They show the firing of guided air-to-surface missiles at real targets. In addition, the lens got the results of the shooting - fragments of an artillery self-propelled gun, literally torn apart by an explosion, are shown.
Rocket firing
Several episodes of the use of rocket weapons can be observed literally through the eyes of a pilot. The frame contains a view through the windshield indicator and a thermal image from the multifunctional display received from the optical-electronic station. Judging by the display interface, guided missiles were used by a Ka-52 attack helicopter. Some interface fields are closed for privacy reasons.
Two rocket launches in the dark are clearly shown. In this case, only the dark sky is visible through the HUD, and the entire terrain and targets are observed in the thermal imager. Despite the darkness, the objects are confidently accompanied by a weapon control system. Launches were carried out at minimum speed, almost from a standstill.
From the proposed angles, the rocket launch looks quite simple. A flash is visible in the HUD, showing that the product has started and gone forward relative to the carrier helicopter. After a couple of seconds, the rocket enters the field of view of the OLS and appears on the screen as a black dot. The missile flies along a spiral path until it hits the target, on which the aiming mark was motionless all the time. A day launch is also shown - with better visibility through the HUD and a different display color scheme.
The video shows four launches for different purposes. Having no experience with the Ka-52 SUV, it is quite difficult to identify armored vehicles and enemy buildings in them. However, the explosion of a rocket with the defeat of the selected target is determined without problems.
Technical capabilities
The video from the Ministry of Defense clearly shows how modern equipment and weapons in the form of a Ka-52 helicopter and unnamed missiles are used. Previously, similar footage of the combat work of the Mi-28N helicopters was published. Consider the technical features of two types of attack helicopters, as well as their potential, incl. in the context of the current Special Operation.
Serial Ka-52 helicopters are equipped with the Argument-52 sighting-flight-navigation system. It includes the Arbalet bow radar, the TOES-520 optical station, as well as data processing and output tools, weapons control devices, etc. PrPNK and its components provide piloting and combat missions at any time of the day in a wide range of weather conditions.
The Ka-52 is equipped with an artillery mount with a 2A42 cannon on the starboard side, and also has six external hardpoints under the wing. The maximum combat load is 2800 kg. It is possible to use guided and unguided weapons of various kinds.
For the Mi-28 (N), a developed sighting and navigation system was also developed. Its key component is the H025 type over-hull radar with all-round visibility. The OES model TOES-521 is also used. There are all the necessary devices for the use of guided weapons, incl. working on commands from the carrier.
The helicopter is equipped with a full-rotation turret with a 2A42 gun under the nose. On the wing there are four suspension points for a variety of weapons, incl. modern managed products. The mass of the combat load reaches 2300 kg.
Since 2020, the Russian army has been receiving serial Mi-28NM helicopters. They are distinguished by a more advanced set of sighting and navigation equipment and the presence of new features. In particular, now both cockpits of the attack helicopter are equipped with a full set of controls. Compatibility with all current weapons is also ensured. The helicopter was able to interact with the UAV.
Arms issue
The guided armament of the two helicopters is almost completely unified. To destroy ground targets, incl. armored, missiles of several types are intended. Both vehicles use anti-tank missiles of the Shturm family. They are capable of flying at a distance of up to 5 km and penetrating at least 650-700 mm of armor, depending on the modification. Guidance - radio command. Also, the Ka-52 and Mi-28N can use newer Ataka missiles. They are similar to the Sturm and use similar guidance principles. At the same time, the range is increased to 8 km, and armor penetration exceeds 850 mm.
The VKS is also armed with the Vikhr-1 complex. His missile is guided by a laser beam and flies 8-10 km. In terms of combat qualities, the product is not inferior to other anti-tank weapons. Previously, Vikhr-1 missiles could only be used by Kamov helicopters, but work has recently been carried out to integrate these weapons into the Mi-28N weapon system.
In the near future, the Ka-52 will become a regular carrier of promising Hermes-A missiles. This complex will ensure the defeat of ground targets at ranges up to 15-20 km. The missile will be able to penetrate armor up to 1 m thick or hit unprotected targets. It was reported that in the future, domestic combat helicopters of almost all current models could become carriers of Hermes.
Confirmed by practice
In the past, distant and recent, all domestic attack helicopters, including the latest modifications of the Ka-52 and Mi-28, passed all the required tests, confirming the design characteristics and compliance with the customer's requirements. In the future, helicopters and their weapons were repeatedly involved in various exercises, where they again demonstrated their potential.
Since 2015, attack helicopters with different payloads have been participating in combat missions in Syria. There, the high combat qualities of equipment and weapons were confirmed in the conditions of a real conflict. All intended targets were successfully hit.
Since February 24, helicopter pilots have been participating in the Special Military Operation and have been fighting against more advanced forces. This time the enemy has air defense means, incl. posing a great danger to helicopters.
Reports of recent days show that the Mi-28N and Ka-52 are effective combat vehicles with broad capabilities. They successfully solve the tasks of destroying enemy equipment and facilities, provide support to ground units, escort columns, etc. At the same time, the enemy can do practically nothing with helicopter attacks. The results of this work can be seen in published materials.
Thus, the Russian army has received and is actively using modern aviation equipment with effective weapons. And now this technique is again involved in real combat work. Over the past few years, attack helicopters and their missiles have been actively used to bring peace in Syria, and now they have to solve similar problems in Ukraine.
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