MOSCOW. Nov 9 (Interfax-AVN) -Management of the Mil helicopter plant have taken the decision to allow representatives of the customer to take part in flight test of the MI-24VK-2 and MI-24-PK-2 helicopters to be carried out at the plant through modernization of the aircraft, head of the Mil plant press service Vadim Mikheyev told Interfax-Military News Agency on Friday.
The standard practice provided for the customers to flight-test aircraft after completion of plant tests only. Mikheyev said the rationale behind the decision was to speed up plant tests so that it would be possible to begin joint state tests as early as next year.
He also added that the principal advantage of the upgraded MI-24VK-2 and MI-24PK-2 helicopters was the capability to use their standard weapons, included guided ones, around the clock.
Up to 1,500 MI-24-type helicopters are in service with the Russian Armed Forces; experts believe most of the aircraft can be upgraded.