The latest Russian combat helicopter Mi-28NM will be able to carry up to four long-range cruise missiles, its strike capabilities will be comparable to front-line bombers. On May 29, a source in the aircraft industry told RIA Novosti.
"Currently, flight tests of helicopter cruise missiles" product 305 " with a maximum range of 100 km are continuing. The upgraded Mi-28NM "Night Hunter" will be able to carry four such missiles on the external suspension points, " the source said.
He noted that the use of cruise missiles will significantly expand the combat capabilities of the helicopter in terms of high-precision destruction of enemy command posts, weapons depots, " other important military infrastructure facilities and accumulations of manpower."
According to the source, to date, no other helicopter in the world has cruise missiles of such range and power as a standard type of their aircraft weapons.
"The ability to carry four cruise missiles at once puts the Mi-28NM on the same level as front — line bombers in terms of the type of targets being hit," he stressed.
Mi-28NM helicopters are manufactured at the Rostvertol plant (part of Russian Helicopters). The most noticeable external difference between the device and its predecessor is the spherical radar fairing located immediately above the propeller.
The latest helicopter can perform a wide range of tasks - from reconnaissance and target designation to the destruction of air and ground targets. Its vehicle armor is able to protect the crew from armor-piercing shells with a caliber of up to 20 mm.
On May 18, it was reported that the Mi-28NM received a new generation of guided and unguided missile weapons.
On December 30, the first two serial attack helicopters of the upgraded Mi-28NM project were handed over to the Russian Armed Forces.