Russian Mi‑28 helicopter downed by Ukrainian drone in Kursk clash
Russia lost another one of its helicopters. The Mi-28 was downed in a clash with a Ukrainian drone that struck the aircraft on 6 August in the Kursk region. The Aviation Service, on its Facebook channel, points out that Russia confirmed the loss of the crew. The pilot reportedly died, and the navigator was injured. What is known about Mi-28 helicopters?
On Tuesday, 6 August, Russia lost at least two helicopters. Among them were the Ka-52 and the aforementioned Mi-28 attack helicopter. Footage and photos from the impact indicate that a drone hit it in the rear part of the fuselage. Ukrainian soldiers from the M2 SBU Special Operations Center unit most likely carried out the attack.
Russia loses more helicopters
Mi-28 (NATO code "Havoc") is a Russian two-seater attack helicopter built in a tandem arrangement. This means that the navigator or co-pilot sits directly behind the pilot. The helicopter was developed because the Russians wanted their own equivalent of the renowned American Apache helicopters, which are known and appreciated worldwide.
Design work on the Mi-28 began in early 1980, and the prototype flew in 1982. However, the program for building these helicopters was interrupted because the Russian authorities opted for the Ka-50 as the light combat helicopter for the Russian army. It was revived in 2008 when the Russians began work on the Mi-28N.
The Mi-28N version was introduced to the Russian army in 2009. It differs from its predecessor, among other things, by installing a radar in an oval housing above the main rotor. Additionally, the helicopter is equipped with a thermal imaging camera and a laser rangefinder. Interestingly, the Mi-28N is powered by two Klimov TV3-117VMA-SB3 engines (3300 hp each), which, until 2016, were produced by the Ukrainian company Motor-Sich. However, in 2016, they were replaced by other Russian-made engines - the VK-2500.
The Mi-28N is over 17 metres long and nearly 4 metres tall, with a rotor diameter of 17 metres. Its maximum take-off weight is estimated at 11,500 kilograms, and its maximum payload is 2,350 kilograms. This Russian attack helicopter can move at speeds exceeding 300 kilometres per hour; its range is about 460 kilometres. The primary armament of the Mi-28N is the 30 mm 2A42 automatic cannon.
