Mi-24 Hind

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.

Internal guns

 * Flexible 12.7 mm Yakushev-Borzov Yak-B Gatling gun on most variants. Maximum of 1,470 rounds of ammunition.
 * Fixed twin-barrel GSh-30K 30mm Autocannon on the Mi-24P. 750 rounds of ammunition.
 * Flexible twin-barrel GSh-23L 23mm Autocannon on the Mi-24VP and Mi-24VM. 450 rounds of ammunition.
 * PKT passenger compartment window mounted machine guns.

External stores

 * Total payload is 1,500 kg of external stores.
 * Inner hardpoints can carry at least 500 kg.
 * Outer hardpoints can carry up to 250 kg.
 * Wing-tip pylons can only carry the 9M17 Phalanga (in the Mi-24A-D) or the 9K114 Shturm complex (in the Mi-24V-F).

Bomb-load

 * Bombs within weight range (presumably ZAB, FAB, RBK, ODAB etc.), Up to 500 kg.
 * MBD multiple ejector racks (presumably MBD-4 with 4x FAB-100).
 * KGMU2V submunition/mine dispenser pods.

First-generation armament
(standard production Mi-24D)


 * GUV-8700 gunpod (with a 12.7 mm Yak-B + 2x7.62 mm GShG-7.62mm LMG combination or one 30mm AGS-17 Automatic Grenade Launcer).
 * UB-32 S-5 rocket launchers.
 * S-24 240mm rocket pods.
 * 9M17 Phalanga ATGM (a pair on each wingtip pylon).

Second-generation armament
(Mi-24V, Mi-24P and most upgraded Mi-24D)


 * UPK-23-250 gunpod carrying the GSh-23L
 * B-8V20 a lightweight long tubed helicopter version of the S-8 rocket launcher
 * 9K114 Shturm ATGM in pairs on the outer and wingtip pylons