Videoconferencing pride
Attack helicopters are something that Russia can be proud of. In addition to it, only a few countries in the world can offer something in this regard, including the United States and China. In recent years, Russia has developed two conditionally new helicopters - the Mi-28NM and Ka-52M.
In 2020, a source said that the first new Mi were handed over to the Russian armed forces. As for the Kamov car, it made its first flight last year. Among its main distinguishing features is an active phased array radar (AFAR). In turn, the Mi-28NM boasts a standard installation of an H025-type overhead radar, new engines, improved visibility (against the background of earlier versions of the Mi-28) and some other features.
However, there is one problem that is relevant for both the new Mi and Kamov helicopters. This is the composition of the weaponry. Everything is learned in comparison - let's look at the way the West went. American Apache can carry AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire anti-tank missiles, which, thanks to the combined homing head, operate on the "fire and forget" principle. The same applies to the new JAGM rocket, which is being created to replace the Hellfire. The Germans use PARS 3 LR for their Eurocopter Tiger helicopters, which also implements the popular principle. A new multi-mode Future Tactical Air-to-Surface Missile (MAST-F) missile is being created for the French attack "Eurocopters", which will replace the AGM-114K-1A / N-1 Hellfire II.
Russia does not look like a leader here. The Mi-28N combat helicopter can use Attack missiles with a radio command control system. The Ka-52s are equipped with a Vortex-1 with a laser system. The latest ATGM is more modern, but when the rocket moves towards the target, it is necessary that at least at the final stage of the trajectory the laser beam is directed directly at it. That is, as in the case of the "Attack", the pilot is constrained in maneuver and forced to "lead" the target, as during the confrontation between the USSR and the United States.
Russia, of course, is not “unique” in this respect. Modern aviation weapons cost gigantic funds, and only a few countries in the world can afford the level of the United States or, say, Germany (despite the fact that there have always been many questions to the aforementioned German PARS 3 LRs, which, in particular, related to their gigantic price). And yet, obviously, the trend has long been outlined.
Strange "Product"
Russia does not have many projects in the field of aircraft weapons, which were talked about as often as about the "Product 305" (you can, of course, recall the long history with the adoption of the R-77 medium-range air-to-air missile, but this is a separate topic). The new rocket is de facto positioned as a remedy for all problems. The "long arm" of attack helicopters, which can lead Russia to the first place in the world.
On closer inspection, things look more complicated. First, let's look at the characteristics of the rocket. It has a combined guidance head and uses an inertial system in the first phase of flight and a homing head in the last. The rocket will be able to operate effectively day and night, in any weather conditions, and will use the "fire and forget" principle. High characteristics of the rocket are achieved, among other things, due to the aerodynamic "canard" configuration with developed nose aerodynamic rudders. At different times, the media indicated different ranges, up to 100 kilometers.
It is believed that due to the large dive angles on the target, the missile will be able to easily “break through” the projectile barrier of the “Trophy” active defense systems. The latter, we recall, have recently been the Americans equip their "Abrams" (at least partially). In addition, the Trophy is being integrated into the German Leopard 2A7.
The rocket has already passed some tests and at least partially confirmed its potential.
"The newest product 305 long-range guided missile with a combined guidance system is being tested in Syria from a standard launch vehicle."
- said a TASS source in 2019.
The "standard carrier" most likely means the Mi-28NM helicopter. It is also known that the Ka-52M will also be able to use the new missile.
What does the mysterious "Product" look like? Taking into account the presented characteristics, it can be assumed that it is larger and heavier than conventional aviation anti-tank guided missiles. Probably, the rocket has a mass of up to 200 kilograms: for comparison, the Vikhr ATGM has a mass of 45 kilograms.
Indirectly, these data are confirmed by the media, which reported that the attack helicopter will be able to carry up to four new missiles.
“Flight tests of the Product-305 helicopter cruise missiles with a maximum range of 100 kilometers continue. The upgraded Mi-28NM Night Hunter will be able to carry four of these missiles on external sling points."
- quoted in May, the words of a knowledgeable source, the RIA Novosti news agency.
It is also noteworthy that the source indicated potential targets for the missiles. They are seen as "". That is, de facto, the missile is designed for approximately the same purpose for which the Soviet X-25 and the Russian X-38 are designed. And it would look good in the arsenal of a front-line bomber, but not an attack helicopter, the goals and objectives of which initially lie in a different plane (in particular, in the plane of fighting enemy armored vehicles).
Provided that four missiles are the "ceiling", it is possible that in real combat conditions the Mi-28 will carry up to two such products. Considering that ATGM "Attack" helicopter can carry sixteen units, the choice of weapons of the future makes you think. In fact, Russia will receive not so much an analogue of the AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire or AGM-179 JAGM, as a "helicopter" version of the Maverick. A good weapon, but, undoubtedly, expensive and having a very considerable mass.
Whether this is true or not, we will probably find out soon. So far, one thing can be stated: Russia in recent years has developed a lot of aviation weapons for attack helicopters, fighter-bombers and strategic aircraft. Undoubtedly, they all deserve attention.
At the same time, the country does not yet have in service with complexes similar to the Western AGM-179, SPEAR 3 or GBU-53 / B StormBreaker. Which would combine high accuracy, long range and a relatively low (against the background of larger aircraft ammunition) price. Perhaps it will be possible to implement this soon: at least some progress in this direction is taking place.
