Mil Mi-24

The Mil Mi-24 is an attack helicopter, which was designed and manufactured in the Soviet Union by the State-run Mil Moscow helicopter factory. Although it entered service in 1972, it has been upgraded by the Russian Air Force several times to be one of the most lethal helicopter gunship in the world today. Developed from the Mil Mi-8 utility helicopter, it can transport a small a infantry unit. Almost 3,000 units have been built in different versions that bristle with different kind of weapons, which include anti-tank missiles. Main variants: Mi-24D/P/V; Hind-D, -E, -F, and Superhind.

The Mi-24 'Hind' first saw combat action in the Russian-Afghan War (1979-1989) as it would be used in several other armed struggles, such as the Bosnian Civil War (1992-1996), in both Chechen Wars, in the Syrian Civil War (2012-2022), and in the Russian-Ukrainian War (2022). It also took part in many other armed conflicts in Africa and Asia. It has been the Russian Air Force's flying workhorse which has been always on the front line to provide fire support to the infantry. Since it has been developed from an utility/transport helicopter, it can carry more weaponry than the USA-made AH-64 Apache.

Technical Characteristics

The Mil Mi-24 is a two-seat, tandem helicopter, which is fitted with blown canopies over separate cockpits, one for the pilot, the other for the gunner. It features two short mid-mounted wings for armament hardpoints. It has a streamlined airframe, equipped with retractable tricycle undercarriage landing gear. The helicopter is powered by two Isotov TV-3-117 turboshaft engines, delivering 2,200 HP each. It also features a forward-looking infrared sensor, a TV camera, and a radar dish as well as an electro-optical low-light sensor, which is mounted on the port side wing tip.

Armament

The Mil Mi-24 is fitted with a 12.7-mm, four-barrel machine gun, which is mounted on the chin turret, right beneath the gunner front cockpit. It is also equipped with a fixed, 30-mm twin autocannon (GSh-30-2). To attack armored vehicles, the Mi-24 carries 9K114 Shturm anti-tank missiles, rocket launchers, and bombs.

Specifications

Length: 17.5 m

Height: 6.5 m

Wingspan: 17.3 m (diameter of main rotor)

Main Rotor: five blades

Range: 470 km

Service Ceiling: 4,900 m

Maximum Speed: 340 km/h

Crew: two (pilot and gunner)

Capacity: 8 infantry soldiers

The Mil Mi-24 taking off from a base somewhere in Russia

Below, the Mil Mi-24D (Hind-D) at a former Soviet Union military base.

Below, a Mi-24D of the Hungarian Air Force in the 1980s