Mi 35 military helicopter.

Mi-35 is a highly skilled modernization of the most famous Soviet combat helicopter Mi-24, or "Crocodile". For this period, it is produced directly for the Russian Air Force and for export to foreign countries. This air vehicle is used to destroy enemy tanks and armored vehicles, it also provides assistance to infantry and airborne troops (fire support and removal of the wounded). Less efficient use of the helicopter is associated with the transport of goods and various materials. Production is assigned to JSC "Rostvertol" in the Rostov region. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation has ordered 22 helicopters of this brand. In 12, there were 12 of them. Later, the contract was renewed for 27. The same helicopter is delivered to Venezuela, Brazil and Azerbaijan.

The upgraded Mi-35 is a multipurpose attack helicopter. He is able to perform complex tasks in all weather conditions. At the forefront of weapons are the GSH-23L double-barreled artillery mount (caliber 23 mm), Shturm missiles (anti-tank).

Positively reduced the weight of the helicopter shortened wings and lightweight landing gear (not removed). And thanks to the X-shaped tail rotor, handling has improved and noise has decreased.

High-precision hits were provided thanks to the OPS-24N sighting and surveillance system. The helicopter is capable of performing operations at night (OPS-24N was combined with avionics). This effect is enhanced by the installed TV system. The satellite navigation system and on-board computer allow you to calculate the route 2 times faster.

There are four ways to use the Mi-35: military, landing, cargo and ambulance. The military provides fire support and performs independent operations. The landing version of the helicopter is capable of transporting paratroopers in full ammunition, the cargo one - ammunition or other cargo weighing up to one and a half tons, and thanks to the external suspension, the transported tonnage can grow up to 2400 kg. The sanitary option provides for the transportation of two recumbent and two seated people, including a medical worker.

This aircraft was created on the basis of the Mi-24 for improved performance of combat operations, regardless of the weather and time of day. Thanks to the tests, it was decided to install high-precision weapons on the helicopter, which made it possible to carry out more complex operations. Also, the built-in GOES-342 (gyro-stabilized optoelectronic station), OPS-24N, PrVK-24 (sighting, computer complex), KNEI-24 (electronic indication and navigation complex) and special lighting equipment allowed this helicopter to perform combat missions around the clock.

NVGs, or night vision goggles, have led to special adaptations of outdoor and indoor lighting equipment. They operate in the range of 640–900 nm. Night vision devices are responsible for night piloting at altitudes from 50 to 200 meters, target detection, assist takeoff and landing, climb and turn, allow search and rescue operations.

The nose of the helicopter is armed with NPPU-23 (gun GSh-23L double-barreled). Among other things, there are several options for weapons for the Mi-35:

• ATGMs (Ataka-M and Shturm-V, up to eight pieces);
• from two to four units B8V20-A with S-8 type NAR;
• cannon armament of the suspended type GSh-23L.

The updated carrier system has improved flight performance. It includes an updated main rotor (improved airfoil) with blades made of composite materials. Lightweight blades increase the technical resource. For the first time on this type of helicopter, a new rotor hub with elastomeric hinges (they do not require lubrication) was used. The main parts are made of titanium alloys.

High maneuverability, combat survivability and low acoustic visibility are provided by the new carrier system. Even if a projectile of up to 30 mm caliber gets into the blades, the helicopter's performance will not decrease. Both propellers provide their blades with an anti-icing system.

Thanks to the VK-2500-02 engines, the power increased. This engine was developed on the basis of TV3-117. The new engines allowed the helicopter to be used efficiently in the mountains and at high temperatures. In the design itself, the creators used universal heat-resistant materials, reinforced the compressor disk and electronic-mechanical engine control systems. Thanks to this, the frequency of rotation of the turbocharger increased by one and a half times.

Although the wings were shortened, this in no way affected the functionality. Thanks to the DBZ-UV holder, the APU-8 / 4-U launcher is installed on the wing, on which guided missiles are placed. The same holders provided fastening, lifting of various loads.

The new takeoff and landing device allows you to change the clearance, open the car while on the ground, and not feel the load during takeoff or landing. The non-retractable landing gear is not only lighter, but also allows for a relatively safe flight at a short distance from the ground.

The modernization of the "Crocodile" took place in 1999. The employees of Rostvertol were engaged in it. The result was precisely the Mi-35 - an air combat vehicle for performing complex operations and supporting infantry. Thanks to the installed innovative television surveillance systems (IRTV-445MGH), the helicopter is able to track and detect hidden objects at a distance of four kilometers.

The GPS115LGarmin system with the VPS-200 interface is responsible for determining the coordinates, navigation parameters and displaying data on the screen.

Mi-35 helicopter modifications

Mi-35 is an export helicopter based on the Mi-24V. The ASP-17V sighting system and engines manufactured by Motor Sich - Klimov TVZ-117V have been changed in the technique.

Mi-35P is an export model of the previously created Mi-24P. The carrier system, three-bladed tail rotor, long wing and retractable landing gear are typical of the Mi-24P. Of the weapons, there is a fixed cannon mount, on which a double-barreled gun GSh-30K (caliber 30 mm) was installed.

Mi-35PN - the same Mi-35P, with additions to perform combat missions at night. Mounted system "Zarevo" - night sighting type TV. The crew is equipped with specialized night vision goggles (NVG).

The Mi-35PM is a doublet version of the Mi-35P with new X-shaped steering and main rotors with blades made of composite materials.

Mi-35M - equipped with a non-retractable landing gear that protects the helicopter in the event of a fall (absorbs part of the impact on itself), OPS-24N and its inherent gyro-stabilized optoelectronic system GOES-324, a laser rangefinder, a shortened wing and VK-2500 Klimov engines.

This aircraft is in service with Russia (24 Mi-35Ms and an order for 49 helicopters), Azerbaijan (16 Mi-35Ms and an order for 24 helicopters of the same designation), Venezuela (10 Mi-35M2s), Indonesia (seven representatives of the P marking), Myanmar (50 Mi-Ps in stock), Peru (two Mi-35P helicopters and a contract for two more Mi-35Ps has been signed), Afghanistan a (9 Mi-35 helicopters).

Currently used for military purposes in Iraq.

Mi-35 characteristics:

Crew: 2 (pilot and weapons operator)

Passenger capacity: up to 8 soldiers or 2 stretchers with seriously wounded and a paramedic

Load capacity: 2400 kg

Length: n/a

Fuselage length: 17.51 ​​m

Main rotor diameter: 17.3 m

Tail rotor diameter: 3.91 m

Maximum fuselage width: 1.7 m (6.66 m with docked wings)

Height: 3.97 m (with tail rotor)

Rotor swept area: m²

Chassis base: 4.39 m

Chassis track: 3.03 m

Empty weight: 8620 kg

Normal takeoff weight: 11,200 kg

Maximum takeoff weight: 11,500 kg

Weight of fuel in internal tanks: 1500 kg + optional 1000 kg

Volume of fuel tanks: n / a (+ 4 x 500 l in PTB)

Power plant: 2 × turboshaft "Klimov" TV3-117VMA manufactured by "Motor Sich"

Engine power: 2 × 2200 hp With. (takeoff)

Flight characteristics of the Mi-35:

Maximum allowed speed: 340 km/h

Maximum speed: 320 km/h

Cruise speed: 280 km/h

Practical range: 450 km

Ferry range: 1000 km (with PTB)

Flight duration:

with maximum fuel reserve:

Static ceiling: 1750 m

Dynamic ceiling: 4500 m

Rate of climb: m/s

Vertical rate of climb: m/s

Mi-35 armament:

Shooting and cannon: fixed gun mount NPU-30 with double-barreled gun GSh-2-30 caliber 30 mm and ammunition load of 250 rounds (Mi-35P) or fixed mobile gun mount NPPU-24 with double-barreled gun GSh-23 caliber 23 mm (Mi-35M)

Suspension points: 6 (4 for Mi-35M)

guided missiles:

air-to-ground missiles: 8 x Shturm-V or Ataka-M

air-to-air missiles:

Rockets: S-8 caliber 80 mm or S-13 caliber 130 mm or S-24 caliber 240 mm

Additional weapons: bombs and cassettes with a caliber of 50 to 500 kg, mine - container KMGU-2

The Mi-35M helicopter is an attack, multi-purpose helicopter developed by the Moscow Helicopter Plant. Mile and has been produced since 2005.

The Moscow Helicopter Plant fundamentally modernized the Mi-24V helicopter and created the Mi-35M helicopter.

Mi-35M helicopter for round-the-clock flights, at altitudes of 10-25 meters during the day and above 50 meters at night;

For helicopter flights, a modern navigation complex, a sighting system, and electronic indexing displays are installed. The sighting system is equipped with thermal imagers, laser rangefinders and direction finders.

The Mi-35M is powered by the Klimovsky VK-2500 engine. The blades of the helicopter are fiberglass. The main rotor has a bearing sleeve with elastomer hinges, a new anti-swashplate. The tail screw is X-shaped. The landing gear of the helicopter is not retractable.

Mi-35M helicopter - application

Mi-35M is used as:

• Percussion machine, for delivering fire strikes on the enemy;
• For transportation of eight paratroopers with weapons in the transport cabin;
• For transportation of 1500 kilograms of cargo in the cargo compartment and 2500 kilograms of cargo on an external sling;
• Transport wounded soldiers with honey. worker.

Thus, the Mi-35M can perform fire, landing-transport, transport and sanitary tasks.

In addition to Russia, the Mi-35M helicopter is in service with Brazil, Venezuela, and Azerbaijan.

Flight performance of the Mi-35M

Flight performance
Engine VK-2500
Takeoff weight
Normal
Maximum
Takeoff weight in ferry version
Payload weight
Weight of an empty helicopter
Speed
maximum
cruising
static
dynamic
Range
normal
distillation
Main armament
NPPU-23 (non-removable mobile cannon mount) with a GSh-23L cannon, caliber 23 mm, 450 rounds;
2 UPK-23 (universal cannon containers) with GSh-23L cannons, caliber 23 mm, 2x250 rounds;
4 blocks B8V20-A with unguided missiles NAR type S-8, caliber 80 mm, 4x20 pieces;
2 blocks B13L1 with unguided missiles NAR type S-13, caliber 122 mm, 2x5 pcs.;
guided missiles of the Shturm type and "Attack" caliber 130 mm, 8 pcs.
Additional options
Aerobatics, navigation and electronic indication complex KNEI-24E
The upgraded 9K113K guided missile weapon system, which includes the OPS-24N surveillance and sighting system based on the GOES-342VMI gyro-stabilized control device
Aiming and computer system PrVK-24
Removable launcher APU-8 \ 4U on the beam holder DB-3UV No. 4 to accommodate up to 8 UR type "Attack"("Storm")
Fixed mobile gun mount NPPU-23
Communications complex KSS-28N
Night vision goggles OVN-1 "SKOSOK"
External and internal lighting and signaling equipment adapted to the use of night vision goggles

The Mi-35 is a modernized version of the Mi-24 helicopter. This attack helicopter is produced both for the needs of the Russian Ministry of Defense and for export.

The main tasks assigned to this combat vehicle are:

• destruction of enemy armored vehicles;
• fire support for ground and airborne units;
• evacuation of the wounded and sick;
• transportation of goods in the cabin and with the help of external suspension.

Features of the Mi-35

The development of this combat vehicle began in 1968, and its final appearance was formed only in 1973. In essence, the Mi-35 is an export version of the Mi-24 multi-purpose attack helicopter. From a constructive point of view, the great advantage of the helicopter was the unification of many of its components with those used in the Mi-8 and Mi-14.

The characteristics that the Mi-35 possesses fully justify the fact that it is often called a "flying infantry fighting vehicle." The fact is that from the very beginning the crew was equipped with flight helmets and bulletproof vests, the windshield of the cockpit and crew seats were armored, local armor plates were installed on the engine cowlings and on the sides of the cockpit.

The stability of the helicopter at speeds exceeding 200 km / h is ensured by the fact that it was equipped with a wing having a negative sweep equal to -12 °. To improve the efficiency of directional control, a pulling tail rotor is used. All this made it possible to increase the speed of the car to 300 km / h.

Helicopter armament

The armament with which the helicopter is equipped also fully justifies the title of a flying infantry fighting vehicle. In particular, from the very first days of its existence, the following were installed on it:

• missiles "Falanga-M", having a manual control system;
• machine gun mount NUV-1 with machine gun A - 12.7;
• beam holders for NUR or for free-fall bombs.

Subsequently, the armament of the combat vehicle was improved due to the fact that the USPU-24 machine gun mount with the YakB-12.7 machine gun, which has a rate of fire of 4,500 rounds per minute, and the Falanga-P missile system appeared on board.

Design

The flight and combat characteristics of the helicopter are largely ensured by the successful formula that is used in its design. The Mi-35 was created in accordance with the classic single-rotor scheme, has a five-bladed three-hinged main and three-bladed tail propellers. The retractable landing gear consists of three pillars, with the front support being steerable.

The double cabin, designed for the crew, is made according to the tandem scheme and is located in the bow of the vehicle. A separate front cabin is designed for the gunner-operator. The cockpit, which is in the background, is raised above the front cockpit by 0.3 m to ensure easy viewing. The flight mechanic is placed on a folding seat installed in the equipment compartment located behind the cockpit. Both crew cabins are pressurized, have a heating and ventilation system. They maintain a low overpressure level, which makes it possible to exclude the ingress of contaminated air in a combat situation.

The safety of the machine and personnel is ensured by armor using steel plates:

• cockpit;
• drive boxes;
• engine oil tanks;
• reducers;
• hydraulic tank;
• pilot's seat, which has a folding armored back and armored headrest;
• partitions between cabins.

Moreover, the windshields are also armored, on which wipers are installed to provide visibility.

The central part of the fuselage includes:

• a cargo compartment capable of receiving eight paratroopers;
• the rear cone-shaped part, where the equipment and niches for cleaning the main landing gear are located.

To ensure stable speed and stability during translational movement, the main rotor axis is simultaneously tilted 4.5° forward and 2.5° to the right.

instrumentation

The helicopter has modern instrumentation, which improves the accuracy of the weapons installed on board and provides orientation for the crew.

In particular, round-the-clock detection and identification of objects at a distance exceeding 4 km is provided with the help of night vision devices, as well as the IRTV-44 MGH thermal imaging surveillance system. The accuracy of determining the current coordinates of the combat vehicle is guaranteed by the modern GPS 115L GARMIN satellite navigation system.

Thus, the Mi-35 helicopter is a well-armed and reliable combat vehicle capable of performing various tasks in combat conditions.

Video about Mi-35

If you have any questions - leave them in the comments below the article. We or our visitors will be happy to answer them.

According to the Izvestia newspaper, citing a source in the military department, the Russian Ministry of Defense plans a large-scale modernization of the Mi-35 attack helicopter fleet. The new modification of the helicopter will receive the Mi-35MV index and the unofficial "nickname" "Super-crocodile".

Helicopter Mi-35M is a deep modernization of the legendary Soviet attack helicopter Mi-24V and has been mass-produced since 2005, both for the Russian army and for export.

Compared to the Mi-24, the Mi-35M has a number of significant differences:

• Non-retractable landing gear providing energy absorption on impact.
• A new composite main rotor, and an X-shaped tail rotor, similar to those used on the Mi-28N helicopter.
• New VK-2500 engines
• Shortened wing with reduced (from 3 to 2) weapon hardpoints. At the same time, the Mi-35M carries a significantly larger ammunition load of anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) - up to 16, instead of 4-8 on the Mi-24.
• Modern on-board radio-electronic equipment that allows you to operate effectively at night and in adverse weather conditions.

Mi-35M helicopters were actively used and are being used by the Russian Aerospace Forces during military operations in Syria, as well as by the Iraqi Air Force in combat operations against the ISIS terrorist group (banned in Russia). During the fighting, the Mi-35M helicopters demonstrated high reliability, survivability and combat performance.

If by the time the Mi-35M began to operate in the Russian armed forces, it was considered as a kind of "temporary" helicopter in order to speed up the re-equipment of army aviation with new equipment (the mass production of the Mi-28N and Ka-52 helicopters at that moment was only "gaining momentum"), then based on the results of combat use in Syria, it was decided not only to continue to operate these helicopters even in the distant future, but also to modernize the existing fleet of helicopters aircraft of this type.

For the first time, the prototype of the upgraded Mi-25 was presented at the Army-2018 forum. During the modernization, the Mi-35M will undergo a significant set of improvements. The main aspects of modernization will be:

• Strengthening the armor protection of the helicopter
• New engines
• Installation of a modernized surveillance and sighting system OPS-24N-1L. This system consists of 4 optical-electronic observation stations located at different points of the helicopter (in the nose and tail parts, as well as under the wings), which provide an all-angle view of the space around the helicopter. Compared to the existing surveillance and sighting system, the OPS-24N-1 will be equipped with a unique short-wave infrared camera created by the Shvabe concern. The camera provides an effective overview, as well as detection and recognition of even small targets at night, in adverse weather conditions, in conditions of heavy smoke, dust storms, etc.
• Equipping the helicopter with the President-S airborne defense system, which provides effective protection against missiles of man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems and short-range air defense systems equipped with thermal homing heads (GOS). The "President-S" complex consists of ultraviolet direction finders, laser stations for optical-electronic suppression, a central computer and information display devices. When a launch is detected by ultraviolet direction finders, the crew is notified of a missile attack, indicating the direction of the approach of the enemy missile, as well as automatic shooting of a large series of false thermal targets. According to the data from the direction finders, the electro-optical suppression stations completely "blind" the GOS of the attacking missile, which ensures its withdrawal from the target.
• Expansion of the range of used guided weapons. In addition to the "regular" anti-tank missiles of the "Shturm" and "Ataka" families, the Mi-35M will be able to use anti-tank missiles "". These missiles have a supersonic flight speed, which distinguishes them from other ATGMs, and a guidance system that works on the principle of teleorientation in a laser beam. In addition to the Whirlwinds, the Mi-35MV can be armed with the Sagittarius missile system with 9M342 missiles (used in the Igla-S portable air defense system), which will provide the helicopter with the ability to effectively combat air targets.

The modernization, apparently, will significantly expand the combat capabilities of the Mi-35M, which will be comparable to the capabilities of the newer Ka-52 and Mi-28N helicopters and even surpass them in a number of parameters. The Mi-35VM will become an extremely effective means of fire support on the battlefield, capable of successfully operating both in modern local conflicts against terrorist groups and irregular military formations, and in "classic" combat operations against a technically advanced enemy with modern armored vehicles and air defense systems.

Pavel Rumyantsev

"New Defense Order. Strategies"

Mi-35M helicopter / Photo by Grigory Bedenko

At the military aviation base of the NVO Air Force in Shymkent (military unit 55652), a unit - four sides - of the latest Mi-35M attack helicopters was solemnly welcomed.

The new helicopters were bought in Russia as part of the Kazakh Air Force's re-equipment program. Equipment of this level entered our country after a rather long break associated with the decommissioning of the entire fleet of Mi-24B attack aircraft, still Soviet-built, due to the depletion of the resource. Our correspondent studied in detail the features of the new combat vehicles and even flew one of them into the air during training flights at the Pervomaiskaya air base near Almaty.

As a legacy from the Soviet Union, Kazakhstan inherited a very decent group of Mi-24B attack helicopters (according to NATO classification - Hind ("Lan"). According to open sources, the Kazakh group consisted of about 40 sides, of which half remained in airworthy condition by 2016 - about 20 machines. Most of them were based at the military airfield in Ucharal, covering the eastern strategic direction, and still remains in storage.

Mi-24B of the Air Force of the Northern Military District of the Republic of Kazakhstan during exercises in the Almaty region (April 19, 2014)

A huge number of various treatises have been written about the merits of this remarkable rotorcraft, which largely determined the course of local conflicts in recent decades. It suffices to mention just a few facts. Today, the Mi-24 remains the most widespread attack helicopter in the world (more than 3,500 copies were produced). In second place is the American AH-64 Apache (about 2000 copies). Mi-24 is in service in the national armies of 63 countries of the world - this is the third part of all states that are members of the UN. Today, Mi-24s fly on all continents except Australia and Antarctica. However, it is possible that they are in Australia, in private collections. And in the Soviet army, the helicopter received the unofficial name "crocodile" for its rather aggressive design and enormous striking power.

Kazakh Mi-24B on training flights

Life does not stand still, and it would be simply impermissible for Russian aircraft designers from the Mil Design Bureau not to try to create an ultra-modern product on the basis of a Soviet combat vehicle that has such an impressive potential. And so the Mi-35M appeared. It has been mass-produced since 2005 at the Rosvertol aircraft plant in Rostov-on-Don, which is part of the Russian Helicopters holding. "Thirty-fifth" is a deep modernization of its predecessors Mi-24B / VP and bears the Mi-24BM index. The helicopter is exported under the index Mi-35M. Vehicles arrived in Kazakhstan in the same configuration that was developed for the Russian Armed Forces, and here the political component played a role in many respects (more on that later).

Passage over the airfield

The Mi-35M is designed to destroy armored weapons and equipment, fire support for ground forces, airborne, evacuate the wounded, as well as to transport cargo in the cockpit and on an external sling. As follows from the announcement of the helicopter by the developer, the modernization was carried out in order to improve flight performance and operational characteristics, increase the unification of Mil Design Bureau helicopters, as well as ensure round-the-clock performance of combat missions and more efficient use of all types of weapons in various physical and geographical conditions, including high mountains and hot climates.

What was new in the design of the helicopter? Firstly, the range of weapons used has been significantly expanded. Now it is possible to use precision-guided munitions. The helicopter is equipped with modern avionics with a navigation and electronic indication complex with color multifunctional displays, an OPS-24N surveillance and sighting system with a gyro-stabilized optoelectronic station GOES-324, which includes thermal imaging and television channels, a laser rangefinder and a direction finder. In simple words, now the operator of onboard weapons sees a picture around the helicopter at 240 degrees, and he has much more opportunities for guaranteed destruction of enemy targets. Updating the equipment made it possible not only to reduce the load on the crew and use guided and unguided weapons at any time of the day, but also to take off and land on unprepared and unequipped sites.

Commander's digital instrument panel

Unlike previous modifications, the Mi-35M does not have a retractable landing gear, which provides shock mitigation in the event of a fall. The experience of combat operation of the Mi-24 has shown that in the event of a fire damage, the crew does not have time or cannot release the chassis. The new helicopter has a shortened wing with two instead of three armament mounts, which improves aerodynamics. The design of the tail rotor has been significantly changed - it has become X-shaped, with blades made of composite material. The main rotor, also made of composites, has a new swashplate and elastomeric bearings. The power plant is fundamentally new - Klimov VK-2500-II turboshaft engines. Interestingly, the 35th even changed the sound of the engines compared to the 24th.

Today, the helicopter is in service with the air forces of the Czech Republic, Azerbaijan and Venezuela. Contracts have been signed for its supply to Iraq and Brazil.

Before departure

For the first time, the fact that Kazakhstan will receive four new helicopters was announced by the Commander-in-Chief of the Air Defense Forces of Kazakhstan, Lieutenant General Nurlan Ormanbetov, at the international military exhibition CADEX-2016 last June. The delivery was carried out within the framework of military-technical cooperation between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation and an agreement between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Rosoboronexport. The cost of the batch of helicopters was not disclosed, but sources in the Ministry of Defense claim that it is the same as for the Russian army. Kazakhstan is an active member of the CSTO and is responsible for strengthening the southern strategic direction. Therefore, helicopters were sent to Shymkent. By the way, the 602nd Air Base of the Northern Military District of the Republic of Kazakhstan (military unit 55652) has been actively expanding lately. New transport and combat helicopters Mi-171Sh have already arrived here, which, along with MiG-29 fighters and Su-25 front-line attack aircraft, form the shock part of a fairly serious aviation group. It can be assumed that the increase in air assets is carried out primarily in order to strengthen the border with Uzbekistan, which has a dangerous neighbor in the south - Afghanistan, and inside - the overpopulated Ferghana Valley, prone to social upheavals and Islamic extremism. And with the rest of the neighbors in the region - Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan - not everything is absolutely rosy. The region has been called potentially explosive more than once.

Transport and combat Mi-17 at the air base "Pervomaiskaya"

The crew of the Mi-35M consists of three people - the commander, the pilot-operator of the airborne weapons and the flight engineer. Back in early 2016, a group of Kazakh pilots and technical personnel was sent to Russia for retraining. To date, 12 people have been trained - four crews.

The crew before a training flight

“We underwent retraining for this type of helicopter in the Russian Federation, in the city of Torzhok,” says Major Kazbek Rabaev, Chief of Staff of the aviation squadron of military unit 55652. - There is a center for combat use and retraining of army aviation. First there was theoretical training, then training training, and then proceeded directly to the flights. It all took us two months. Pilots who have experience flying the Mi-24 were sent for retraining.

Chief of Staff of the aviation squadron of military unit 55652 Major Kazbek Rabaev

The helicopters themselves arrived in Kazakhstan from Rostov-on-Don in November 2016 in a segmented state. Their assembly and running-in was carried out at the 405th aircraft plant, which is located on the territory of the Almaty International Airport. Then the combat vehicles were transferred to the air base of the army military transport aviation "Pervomaiskaya" (military unit 53975), which is located a few kilometers from the airport. Here, Shymkent pilots conducted training flights on them for several days.

Transport and combat Mi-17 and attack Mi-35M at the Pervomaiskaya air base

Kazbek, what are your impressions of the helicopter?

The helicopter went through a deep modernization, a lot of things have changed. The main changes are armament, avionics has been improved. His combat capabilities have grown many times over. The engines have been replaced with more powerful ones, the carrier system has been replaced - the propeller blades are not metal, but composite. The tail rotor is x-shaped, not three-bladed, as on the Mi-24. Fixed landing gear. Because of this, the helicopter turned out to be lighter, since the hydraulic system itself weighed pretty well. From a distance of seven kilometers, you can recognize the type of target, aim guided missiles at it, and fire at targets with a 100% hit from 3-5 kilometers.

Mi-35M landing gear is not retractable in flight

Are you satisfied with the set?

The configuration of our boards is similar to those vehicles that are supplied to the Russian troops. We flew in Torzhok on exactly the same type. The helicopter is excellent, maneuverable - it has everything that is necessary for a modern combat helicopter.

Spectacular passage over the airfield

Are there any differences from the Mi-24 in terms of piloting?

There are no fundamental differences in piloting. The work with the controls has changed a little, because there is already new equipment, new devices. Everything on the Mi-24 was analog, there are already MFIs (multifunctional displays) here.

Crew leader position

What are your plans for the near future?

We are now recovering. Then we return to our base in Shymkent. To recover and be ready for the flight, we need to fly off two shifts. We will start flights for combat use already at home. There, too, there are personnel that need to be retrained. We will be doing this ourselves. After we retrain, we will begin to plan the range and combat use. I think we will be ready by spring. At least, our participation in the parade in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Armed Forces, which will be held on May 7 in Astana, has already been scheduled.

Pilots "recovered"

prospects
It can be assumed that the Kazakh generals have high hopes for the Mi-35M in terms of rearmament of army aviation. Obviously, in the coming years, their number will grow to the full complement of the squadron. As you know, a modern aviation squadron consists of 10 to 30 aircraft, together with crews and ground technical personnel.

Mi-35M temporary base at the Pervomayskaya air base

According to the commander of the Pervomaisky air base, Colonel Nurlan Baidullaev, the air base has Mi-17 helicopters, which are considered transport and combat helicopters. Mi-35M is a full-fledged combat helicopter. It will carry out air escort, ensure the landing of troops from the Mi-17, as well as strike at ground targets - enemy manpower and equipment.

Commander of the Pervomaisky Air Base, Colonel Nurlan Baidullaev

"Hovering" over the site