Mi-24 Hind

From AceWiki

[edit] Overview

The Mi-24, the first helicopter to enter service with the Russian/Soviet Air Force as an assault transport and gunship, was developed on the basis of the Mi-8 'Hip' transport helicopter's propulsion system, entering Soviet service in 1972. Additional missions include direct air support, antitank, armed escort, and air to air combat. The helicopter was used extensively in the Afghanistan War, becoming the "signature" weapon of the conflict, and was used by Iraqi pilots in the first and (to date) only confirmed Helicopter Air-To-Air dogfighting against Iranian AH-1J Seacobras during the Iran-Iraq war. The Mi-24 is a close counterpart to the American AH-64 Apache and AH-1 Cobra, but unlike this and other Western assault helicopters it is also capable of transporting up to eight troops. This combination of light transport and heavy-attack functions has no direct counterpart in NATO. It is also less maneuverable, incapable of hovering while fully loaded and tending to damage it's tail rotor in tight snapping turns. Also, in comparison with Western Designs, the Mi-24 is not as effective an Anti-Armor platform. Despite this, it is heavily armored and armed and can display surprising maneuverability. The Russians have deployed significant numbers of HINDs in Europe and have exported the HIND to over 30 nations with the "Hind-D" variant, equipped with the tandem cockpit and "Double Bubble" canopy the most widely exported of the variants. Although the Russians have developed the Mi-28 "Havoc" and Ka-50 "Werewolf" attack helicopters, which are both dedicated assault gunships, the Mi-24 is expected to serve with the Russian Air-Force until 2015.

[edit] Weapons

1x 12.7mm 4-barrel machine gun
(capable of carrying various missiles, rockets, and other weapons)

[edit] Sources

Wikipedia Article Mi-24