MOSCOW. Aug 21 (Interfax-AVN) - The updated export modification of the Mil Mi-28NE Night Hunter helicopter can carry the Khrizantema-M anti-tank missile system and the modernized Ataka missile system, Russian Helicopters Holding General Director Andrei Boginsky told Interfax.
"A new edition of the Night Hunter's export modification is being presented at the Army 2018 exhibition. Now it can be armed with the Khrizantema-M anti-tank guided missile complex with a two-way targeting system," Boginsky said.
These missiles increase the fire range to ten kilometers, he said.
"The helicopter will also be armed with the Ataka modernized guided missile. The updated Mi-28NE will be carrying air bombs of up to 500 kilograms; their efficiency has been proven by local conflicts over the past decade," Boginsky said.
"The possibility of interaction with unmanned aerial vehicles is one of the most interesting innovations. Now [drones] can be controlled right from the Mi-28NE cabin," he said.
Major adjustments have been made to the Night Hunter's airframe, he said.
"The new blade design significantly increases performance characteristics in the highlands and hot climate, broadens the helicopter's aerobatics capacity, and boosts its cruise speed. For the purpose of controllability, we have equipped the helicopter with a larger stabilizer and high-power engines," Boginsky said.
The Mil Mi-28NE attack helicopter (the export modification of Mi-28N Night Hunter) is built by the Rostvertol plant of Rostec's Russian Helicopters Holding. It is tasked with providing fire support for forward units of ground forces, motorized infantry, and tank formations. The helicopter has enhanced armored, combat survivability, and a modern precision-guided complex of guided and unguided weapons.