Mil Mi-24

Mil Mi-24
Name	Mil Mi-24
Caption	A Russian Air Force Mil Mi-24P
Type	Attack helicopter
National origin	Soviet Union
Manufacturer	Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant
Designer	Mikhail Mil
First flight	19 September 1969
Introduction	1972
Status	In service
Primary users	Russian Air Force
Number built	~2,500
Developed from	Mil Mi-8
Variants with their own articles	Mil Mi-35

Mil Mi-24. The Mil Mi-24 is a large, twin-turbine attack helicopter and low-capacity troop transport developed by the Soviet Union. Introduced by the Soviet Air Forces in the early 1970s, it is one of the most widely exported and recognized combat helicopters in the world. Its distinctive silhouette, formidable armament, and extensive combat record have earned it the NATO reporting name "Hind".

Development

The development of the Mi-24 was initiated by the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant under the leadership of Mikhail Mil in the late 1960s, responding to a Soviet Army requirement for a dedicated armed helicopter. The design bureau drew heavily on the dynamic systems of the successful Mil Mi-8 transport helicopter to accelerate development. Key figures like lead engineer Marat Tishchenko contributed to the project, which aimed to create a "flying infantry fighting vehicle" capable of providing direct fire support and transporting a small assault squad. The first prototype, designated V-24, flew on 19 September 1969, leading to service entry with the Soviet Air Forces in 1972 after extensive state trials.

Design

The Mi-24 features a classic helicopter layout with a five-blade main rotor and a three-blade tail rotor, powered by two Isotov TV3-117 turboshaft engines. Its most distinctive feature is the tandem cockpit, where the pilot sits in the rear and the weapons officer occupies the front seat, a configuration shared with the Bell AH-1 Cobra. Early production models, like the Mi-24A, featured a "glasshouse" cockpit, while later variants adopted a heavily armored, stepped tandem cockpit for improved survivability. The airframe incorporates a shoulder-mounted wing providing significant lift and hardpoints for a vast array of weapons, including 9K114 Shturm anti-tank missiles, UB-32 rocket pods, and a flexibly mounted Yakushev-Borzov YakB-12.7 machine gun in the nose. The cabin can accommodate up to eight fully equipped troops.

Operational history

The Mi-24 saw its first major combat during the Soviet–Afghan War, where it became a ubiquitous and feared symbol of Soviet air power, though it proved vulnerable to Stinger missiles supplied by the United States. It was extensively used by the Russian Air Force in conflicts including the First Chechen War and the Second Chechen War. Internationally, it has been a key asset in numerous conflicts across Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, serving with forces like the Iraqi Air Force during the Iran–Iraq War and with Serbia during the Yugoslav Wars. The type has also seen significant action in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War, operated by both the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Ukrainian Air Force.

Variants

Numerous variants have been produced, reflecting continuous upgrades. Early models included the Mi-24A and the improved Mi-24D with a new cockpit. The definitive Mi-24V introduced the more advanced 9K114 Shturm missile system. The Mi-24P replaced the turret with a fixed, twin-barrel Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-2 autocannon. The export-oriented Mi-35 designation covers modernized versions like the Mi-35M, which features updated avionics, Klimov VK-2500 engines, and compatibility with Igla air-to-air missiles. Specialized versions include the Mi-24RKhR for nuclear, biological, and chemical reconnaissance.

Operators

The Mi-24 has been operated by over 50 countries worldwide. Major current operators include the Russian Aerospace Forces, Ukrainian Air Force, Indian Air Force, and Algerian Air Force. It remains in widespread use across former Warsaw Pact nations and Soviet allies, such as the Polish Air Force, Czech Air Force, and Vietnamese Air Force. African operators with significant fleets include the Angolan Air Force and the Ethiopian Air Force. Some nations, like Brazil and Venezuela, operate the modernized Mi-35 variant.

Specifications (Mi-24P)

* **Crew:** 2 (pilot, weapons officer) * **Capacity:** 8 troops * **Length:** 17.5 m (57 ft 5 in) * **Rotor diameter:** 17.3 m (56 ft 9 in) * **Height:** 6.5 m (21 ft 4 in) * **Empty weight:** 8,500 kg (18,739 lb) * **Max takeoff weight:** 12,000 kg (26,455 lb) * **Powerplant:** 2 × Isotov TV3-117 turboshaft engines * **Maximum speed:** 335 km/h (208 mph, 181 kn) * **Range:** 450 km (280 mi, 240 nmi) * **Armament:** 1 × fixed Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-2 30mm cannon, 4 × 9K114 Shturm anti-tank missiles or Igla air-to-air missiles, rockets, bombs.

Category:Mil aircraft Category:Soviet attack helicopters Category:Military helicopters of the Cold War