The Mi-35M is a deep modernization of the well-proven Mi-24 transport and combat helicopter, which received the nickname "Crocodile" in the army. Currently, the Mi-35M is produced both for export and for the needs of the Russian army. The helicopter is designed to destroy enemy armored vehicles, provide fire support to ground forces on the battlefield, airborne troops and evacuate the wounded. In addition, the helicopter can be used to transport various cargoes in the cockpit and on an external sling. The helicopter is manufactured by the Rosvertol OJSC located in Rostov-on-Don.
In 2010, the RF Ministry of Defense ordered 22 Mi-35M helicopters for delivery in 2010-2015. As of August 2012, the Russian army had 12 Mi-35M helicopters. Later, another additional contract was signed for the supply of 27 Mi-35M helicopters until 2014. In addition to Russia, this helicopter is exploited by Venezuela - an order for 10 helicopters (designation Mi-35M2 Caribe), Brazil - an order for 12 helicopters (designation AH-2 Saber), Azerbaijan - an order for 24 helicopters.
Thanks to the modernization program, the new Mi-35M helicopter has become a multipurpose attack vehicle capable of performing combat missions around the clock even in the most difficult weather conditions. The helicopter is equipped with a 23-mm GSh-23L mobile double-barreled artillery mount and is armed with Shturm-type anti-tank guided missiles. One of the design features of the Mi-35M was the use of shortened wings and a lightweight non-retractable landing gear, which had a positive effect on the helicopter's weight. The X-shaped tail rotor has also undergone changes, which now provides the helicopter with greater controllability at the same time as reducing the noise level. Received the car and more powerful engines, which made it possible to increase the flight altitude.
Mi-35M Brazilian Air Force
The Mi-35M multipurpose attack helicopter is equipped with the upgraded OPS-24N surveillance and sighting system, which is compatible with the night vision system, avionics and can be used both in day and night conditions. The helicopter received a thermal imaging surveillance system, as well as night vision devices, which makes it possible to detect and recognize targets at a distance of several kilometers at any time of the day. In addition, the helicopter is equipped with a modern satellite navigation system, which is connected to the helicopter's on-board computer. This makes it possible to reduce the time for calculating the route, determining the navigation parameters, and issuing the route on the screen of the helicopter commander's monitor by more than 2 times.
In addition to the combat version, the helicopter can be used as an amphibious assault, cargo and ambulance. In the amphibious version, the helicopter can carry up to 8 paratroopers with personal weapons in the cargo compartment. In the transport version, the helicopter is capable of carrying up to 1,500 kg. ammunition or other cargo inside the cargo compartment. At the same time, the Mi-35M helicopter is equipped with an external suspension system and outside the cargo compartment can carry cargo with a total weight of up to 2,400 kg. In the sanitary version, the Mi-35M can transport 2 bedridden and 2 sedentary wounded or sick people, accompanied by one medical worker.
Features of the Mi-35M helicopter
The modernized Mi-35M helicopter was created on the basis of the export version of the Mi-24 (Mi-35) helicopter for the use of more advanced weapons of destruction around the clock. The purpose of the undertaken modernization of the helicopter is to significantly improve its flight performance, as well as to ensure more efficient use of all possible types of weapons (including precision weapons) around the clock and in a wide variety of physical and geographical conditions. Including the use of the machine in hot climates and high mountains.
Mi-35M Venezuelan Air Force
To ensure round-the-clock performance of combat missions, the Mi-35M was equipped with:
-new surveillance and sighting system OPS-24N, which includes a gyro-stabilized optical-electronic station GOES-342;
-Aiming and computing complex PrVK-24;
- complex of navigation and electronic indication KNEI-24;
- lighting equipment that is adapted to the use of night vision goggles.
The installation of these systems on the helicopter made it possible to: provide the machine with round-the-clock detection and recognition of both ground and surface targets; to carry out the guidance of guided missiles; determine the distance to the object of attack using a laser rangefinder; carry out more accurate aiming when using mobile and stationary small arms and cannon weapons, as well as unguided missiles; ensure the flight along a given route in a semi-automatic mode; to reduce the physical load on the helicopter crew in the process of controlling the vehicle and using the available weapons.
The use of night vision goggles (NVGs) led to the fact that the external and internal lighting equipment of the Mi-35M was specially adapted for them. The use of ONV allows detecting objects under illumination of at least 5 × 10-4 lux. NVDs operate in the wavelength range from 640 to 900 nm. The use of night vision devices provides the helicopter with:
- the ability to fly at altitudes from 50 to 200 m with visual control of the underlying surface;
- detection of targets such as "armored vehicles", "power line mast", "road", etc.;
- takeoff, landing, flight and landing approach, as well as landings on unlit and unequipped areas;
- performance of various kinds of search and rescue operations, as well as observation of the terrain at night.
The Mi-35M helicopter is armed with NPPU-23 - a bow-mounted non-removable movable cannon with a GSh-23L cannon (double-barreled). Depending on the type of weaponry, the helicopter can carry the following types of weapons:
- anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) "Attack-M" and "Shturm-V" up to 8 pieces, equipped with different types of warheads, depending on the type of targets;
- 2 or 4 B8V20-A blocks with S-8 type NAR (80-mm unguided aviation missile);
- suspended cannon armament, which consists of 2 containers UPK-23-250, equipped with GSh-23L cannons.
To improve the technical characteristics, flight performance, as well as the aerodynamic qualities of the Mi-35M helicopter, a new carrier system was mounted on it. It includes a new main rotor, the blades of which are made of composite materials, the propeller has a new aerodynamic profile. The propeller blades have less weight and increased technical resource. Their survivability in combat damage has been increased. In addition, the helicopter uses a new main rotor hub with elastomeric joints that do not require lubrication, the main parts of the hub are made of titanium alloys. The four-blade tail rotor with a two-tier X-shaped arrangement of blades is also made from composite materials and was equipped with a torsion bar suspension. In addition, the number of lubrication points for the helicopter tail rotor hub has been reduced.
The new carrier system of the helicopter provides the vehicle with high maneuverability characteristics, low acoustic signature, and increased combat survivability. The main rotor blades installed on the Mi-35M, made of composite materials, allow them to maintain their performance until the end of the flight, even if they are hit by artillery shells of up to 30-mm caliber. At the same time, the composite blades of both propellers (main and steering) are equipped with an electrothermal anti-icing system.
In addition, the Mi-35M helicopter was equipped with modern VK-2500-02 engines of increased power, which are a further development of the TV3-117 family engines. The use of new VK-2500-02 engines, which have an increased altitude and a longer service life compared to TV3-117 engines (up to 60,000 hours), makes it possible to effectively use the helicopter in conditions of high altitude and high temperatures, and also ensures the safety of flight and landing Mi- 35M with one engine inoperative.
Mi-35M Russian Air Force
In the design of the turbine of the VK-2500-02 engines, modern heat-resistant materials, an electronic-mechanical engine control system were used, the disk of the first stage of the compressor was reinforced. All this made it possible to increase the temperature of the gases in front of the compressor turbine and the free turbine, increasing the rotational speed of the turbocharger. On the engine, the flight modes "maximal" and "emergency" were implemented, which are used in the case of flight with only 1 running engine.
The Mi-35M helicopter has received a new shortened wing, equipped with DBZ-UV beam holders, which allow the helicopter to mount the APU-8/4-U multi-seat launchers used to mount guided missiles. In addition, the shortened wing with new holders made it possible to increase the manufacturability of the Mi-35M equipment with various special loads using a mechanism for lifting it installed in the wing.
Received a helicopter and new takeoff and landing devices, which are designed to absorb and absorb loads during takeoff, landing and
taxiing the vehicle on the ground, as well as changing the clearance of the helicopter in the parking lot. Also, the machine is equipped with a non-retractable landing gear, which ensures the safety of the helicopter flight at extremely low altitudes or in the event of an emergency landing.
Thus, it can be argued that the Mi-35M helicopter, thanks to being equipped with a digital computing system and modern avionics, third generation night vision goggles, has become a round-the-clock, all-weather helicopter with an expanded range of combat missions.
Flight technical characteristics of the Mi-35M:
Dimensions: main rotor diameter - 17, 2 m, tail rotor diameter - 3, 84 m, length - 17, 49 m, height - 4, 16 m.
Empty weight - 8 360 kg, normal - 10 900 kg, maximum take-off weight - 11 500 kg.
Engine type - 2 VK-2500-02, 2x2200 hp
Maximum speed at the ground - 300 km / h, cruising - 260 km / h
Practical range - 450 km. (without PTB) and 1,000 km. (with PTB).
Static ceiling - 3,150 m, dynamic - 5,100 m.
Crew - 2 people
Armament: 2x23-mm installation NPPU-23 (450 rounds), up to 8 ATGM "Shturm-V", "Attack-M", 2 or 4 blocks NAR S-8, etc.
