This is prototype 012 appeared in 1982, the first Mi-28 Havoc that was subjected to extensive tests in which the good abilities of this attack helicopter could be observed. At the beginning of the program the Western sources accused the Soviets of “copying” the AH-64 Apache, although later it was confirmed that the resemblance was merely external.This is the second prototype, the 022, appeared in 1983, and whose development stopped shortly after being chosen the Ka-50 Hokum as the main helicopter attack for the future. This helicopter had two engines with electronic fuel control. They were able to maintain the maximum power in flights at 3,000 meters of height.This is the prototype 032 of 1988, that had more powerful engines and was designated as Mi-28A. This example was shown in Salon de Le Bourget in 1989, where the Western public could appreciate it for the first time.In prototype 032, a new tail rotor was installed, consisting of two independent double-bladed rotors connected to the same shaft. This assembly is called “Delta 3” and offers greater performance in flight than the monorotors of several blades normally installed in the tail.In 1991, the first prototype of the Mi-28A variant was presented and designated as 042. Externally it was practically the same except for some hatches and minimal details. This prototype carried a 30mm gun with modified munition loaders. The transmission can operate for 20 minutes without lubrication when it was installed between the engines.Prototype 042 had the same rotor with 5 blades made of fiberglass that rotated at a maximum of 242 rpm. The leading edge of the blades is protected by a titanium protector and are interchangeable with each other if necessary. The main rotor and the tail rotor have an electric antifreeze system, especially useful in the harsh Russian climate.In 1993, the Mi-28A was discarded and in its place the development of a new prototype, designated as 014 began. This new prototype appeared in 1995 and was the platform for the development of the all weather Mi-28N variant. Finally, the helicopter would be chosen for its entry into service with the Russian Air Force.Prototype 014 had a radar installed on the main rotor and equipment that allowed it to fight in bad weather both day and night. In this image we see prototype 014 (Mi-28N) flying next to prototype 022 (Mi-28A). The Mi-28 Havoc is virtually identical to the Mi-24 model in terms of weight and dimensions, although it is true that the Mi-28 is lighter and takes the engines in a different position.Here we see the prototype 014 armed with 8 anti-tank missiles under one wing and with a jamming device in the other. After another testing phase the project came back to halt due to lack of funds.Once again the project was launched, and in 2004 a second prototype of the Mi-28N variant was developed. This prototype was designated 024 and here we see it fully armed. It had a new improved rotor and several minor modifications that would be applied to the series helicopters.Although it was approved for production in 1987, it was not until 2009 when finally entered service, after more then 20 years of development!. Despite the time elapsed, the overall design has not changed, being the prototype 024, practically the same as the 1982 prototype.The variant coming into service is the Mi-28N, but there are numerous pictures showing various Mi-28s from the Russian Air Force. According to some sources a small series has been delivered to the Air Force for training tasks and to avoid bankruptcy of the builder.Mi-28 Havoc was originally conceived as a daytime combat helicopter. The fire control system had a “narrow field” TV viewing channel, which was operated by the navigator-operator. The pilot sits in the raised rear seat, while the navigator goes in the most advanced position and both crew members have their positions fully armoured, withstanding rounds up to 14.5mm.Finally, in October 2009 the first Mi-28N Havoc entered service with the Russian Air Force. It had been 27 years since the maiden flight and 22 since production approval. This helicopter along with the Ka-50 Hokum were chosen in 2003 as the standard attack helicopters in Russia for the next decades and their number is increasing gradually and at a good pace.The crew’s protection has been taken into account in the design and in addition to the armoured cabins, the Mi-28N has many protected parts and various redundant systems. The seats are designed against impacts and absorb the energy of the crash in forced landings at speeds of up to 43 km/h. There is an emergency system that burst open the doors and inflates a kind of airbags on the sides of the fuselage after the impact to facilitate the escape of the crew.Mi-28N is designed to fly at very low altitude even in the worst weather conditions and thanks to its top mounted millimiter wave radar and vision systems can avoid and surpass obstacles in an automatic way. The helicopter has a gyro-stabilized movable platform with a laser rangefinder, a FLIR (forward looking infra red) and a two-channel TV system with thermal and optical vision. This set can move within 110 degrees in azimuth and from +13 to -40 degrees in elevation.The pilot has target designator incorporated in the helmet that allows him to designate the objectives to the operator-navigator. This system is linked to the fire control and surveillance system installed in the nose that follows instantaneously the movements made by the pilot. Likewise, the gun is directed by the movements of the pilot’s helmet, as it happens in the AH-64 Apache.Another safety measure has been to install the engines away from the main gearbox and the hydraulic boosters that control the main rotor. The fuel tanks are filled with polyurethane foam and provide them with a self-tightening latex protector. The exhaust gases from the engines have screens that reduce their infrared signature and make the Mi-28N less vulnerable to MANPADS anti-aircraft missiles. Havoc‘s “signature” is 2 times smaller than that of the Mi-24 Hind.The Mi-28N mounts a 30 mm 2A42 gun under the nose along with 250 rounds inside two boxes that move with the gun, improving its reliability. This gun is an adapted version from the one installed in the BMP-2 armored vehicle and has a firing rate’s selector of 200 or 550 rounds per minute, being the second ideal for air-air combat.The anti-tank armament is composed by AT-6 Spiral (9M114 Shturm) and AT-9 Spiral 2 (9M120 Ataka) missiles, of which it can carry a maximum of 16. They can also carry Igla 1V and AA-11 Archer (Vympel R-73) air-to-air missiles and 80 mm and 130 mm unguided rocket launchers. The weapons range is completed with various gun pods, machine gun pods, grenade launcher pods, aerial bombs and incendiary tanks.Mi-28N has been designed to facilitate maintenance tasks and has easy access to engines and various equipment as well as checking oil and hydraulic fluid levels. The helicopter has a compartment in the fuselage in which 2 people can be accommodated, designed mainly to rescue crews from shot down helicopters.The Mi-28N is capable of flying backwards and laterally at speeds above 100 km/h and can make turns of 45º per second. This helicopter is airborne by aircraft such as the IL-76, An-22 or An-124. However, it is necessary to dismantle the main rotor and the wings to put them in the first two and only the main rotor in the case of the An-124. The subsequent assembly takes between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on the disassembled parts.There is evidence that Russian Mi-28 supported the Syrian army in 2016 during the Battle of Palmira against the Islamic State. There are reports that a Mi-28NM has recently been tested in Northern Syria.This is the Mi-28NE-M, the last variant introduced in 2018. This is an updated variant of the Mi-28NE with improvements in the engine, the main rotor, and electronic equipment. The NE and NE-M variants were developed for the export market and by the moment Algeria has purchased 42 Mi-28NE and Iraq 36 more, which are gradually entering service since 2016.This is the Mi-28UB, the training variant that has larger cockpits and dual controls for both crew members. The helicopter can carry out attack missions if necessary and the Russian Air Force has asked for about 60 machines to be distributed among all the units that operate the Mi-28N.
