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| Russian Helicopters has been developing a prototype attack version of the Mi-28 with a new front cabin crew and a guidance, navigation and flight control system. Photo: Vitaly V. Kuzmin/CC BY-SA 4.0 |
[Avionics Magazine 10-17-2016] With Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov looking on, a prototype of a modernized Mi-28N made its first flight last week, according to Russian Helicopters. Deemed successful by the crew and approved by Borisov, the first flight comes just more than a month after its first hover. The helicopter boasts both cabin and combat upgrades.
The same designers who worked on the Mi-28UB worked on the Mi-28N, bringing lessons learned to the process. Although the company did not go into specifics, the modernization will allow the commander and operating pilot to receive more environmental information by way of a crew cabin upgrade. The rotorcraft was also given a new guidance, navigation and flight control system. It is equipped with advanced radar over the rotor hub assembly. Coupled with new integrated avionics, digital cartographic information enables search, detection and identification targets on the ground and in the air.
As a combat helicopter, the aircraft received heavier armor and enhanced weapon capabilities, including self-guided missiles. It has guided and unguided rocket armament, bomb weapons and a movable gun mount.