The high-speed combat helicopter should flank the existing Ka-52 and Mi-28 attack helicopters and could be used to support special operations
At Army-2017 expo in Kubinka, the Russian Ministry of Defense gave Russian Helicopters a contract for the “formation of the concept of a high-speed combat helicopter.”
During the two-year period, both sides will work together to determine the “technical appearance of the perspective high-speed combat helicopter.”
According to the company news release, during the development of the new helicopter, the outcome of the previous research works will be used, including the results of flight tests of the Mil Mi-24PSV (with PSV standing for Perspektivny skorostnoi vertolet, perspective (future) high speed helicopter) research helicopter.
“As of now, the holding has a significant scientific and technical reserve in the sphere of the perspective high-speed helicopter project – not only through the holding’s own funds but also due to the state sources of financing. Both the Ministry of Defense and our holding believe the parameters received during the tests and the experience gained to be enough to move on to the next stage – the development of a high-speed combat helicopter. The contract signed today is a serious step towards the new generation of helicopter construction, with higher speeds and flight and technical characteristics,” explained Andrey Boginsky, CEO of the “Russian helicopters” holding.
According to Sputniknews, the high-speed combat helicopter should flank the existing Kamov Ka-52 and Mil Mi-28 attack helicopters and could be used to support special operations.
The aircraft, which is expected to feature a speed of at least 310 m.p.h. (500 km/h), will be based on the Mil Mi-24PSV.
This experimental helicopter features a single-seat streamlined cockpit and is fitted with experimental main rotors for high-speed flight research, and had the target to increase the speed of the Mil Mi-28N by 10% and the Mil Mi-35M by 13%. At the end of last year a demonstrator of the aircraft flew at a level flight speed of more than 405 km/h (219 knots), faster than official world record of 400 km/h (216 knots) set by the Westland G-Lynx in 1986.
Photo credit: Hornet Driver (Own work) via Wikipedia
