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Thursday, 18 January 2007

MI-25/35

















Origin: Russia

Type: Attack helicopter.
Accommodation: Two crew. Pilot in rear cockpit and systems operator in rear cockpit. Engineer and up to eight fully equipped troops can be carried in the main cabin.
Design Features: A conventional semi-monocoque structure of pod and boom type. Vital areas protected by with titanium armor plating. 5-blade main rotor like, with similar systems to the Mi-8. The helicopter has a retractable tricycle type landing gear with differential braking for steering.
Rotor Span: 17.30m, length - 21.5m, height - 3.90m and disc area - 253 m2
Weights: Empty - 8200 kg (18,040 lbs.)
............Gross - 12,000 kg (26,400 lbs.)
*The Mi-35 can carry an additional 750 kg (1,650 lb) of ordnance.
Avionics: VHF/UHF radio. IFF transponder, RWR and air data sensors, IR suppressor aft of rotor, chaff/flare dispensers aft of cabin, Map display, INS, high resolution LLTV, FLIR. The Mi-35 differs in having improved avionics and FLIR gear. Helmet mounted sights being incorporated.
Engine: Two 2400 shp Isotov TV3-117T. Air intakes fitted with auto synchronization systems as well as FOD deflectors. APU present. Self sealing fuel cells.
Speed: Maximum - 335 km/h (201 mph; 175 knots)
..........Max. cruising speed - 297 km/h (178 mph, 155 knots)
Service Ceiling: 4500 meters (14,760 ft.)
Range: Operational - 203 nautical miles (390 km; 234 miles)
Armament: The Mi-25 has a nose-mounted four barrelled 12.7mm gatling gun with 1400 rounds. Plus up to 4200 kg of ordnance (UV-57-32 57mm unguided rocket pods, ATGMs, AAMs, iron bombs) on six wing pylons. The Mi-35 has a three barrelled 23mm cannon in the chin turret with 250 rounds per gun and can carry up to a maximum of 4750 kg of ordnance.
Self Defence: Flare/chaff aft of cabin and IR suppressors aft of engines.
Comments: The IAF currently operates two Mi-25/35 Helicopter Squadrons (No.104 Firebirds and No.125 Gladiators) and has a requirement for at least another unit. SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) reports that 15 helicopters of this type were ordered from Kyrgyzstan in 1994 and were delivered by 1995. The designation is uncertain (Mi-25 or Mi-35) and are apparently second-hand/re-furbished helicopters.
A $20 million contract has been awarded to the Tamam Division of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) for the mission system upgrades of some 25 IAF Mil Mi-25 attack helicopters will involve installation of Tamam's 30 kg (65 lbs) multi-mission digital-optronic stabilised payload (HMOSP) package. This achieves all-weather acquisition and weapon targeting from variable field-of-view LLLTV and FLIR sensors, with automatic target-tracking. A helmet-mounted sighting and display system, revised tandem cockpit layouts with a digital map, new mission data management equipment and an integrated defensive aids suite are also included in the HMOSP package.

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