Post by Central Ruska on Feb 27, 2016 16:22:17 GMT -5
The Mi-24 Hind RK is the latest variation of the Mi-24 Hind. The first design concepts date back to 2018, when at the time, the Mi-24VP finished it’s production cycle. Aiming to improve on the current design, The Experimental Design Bureau of Central Ruska (Опытное конструкторское бюро, tr. Opytnoye Konstruktorskoye Buro), set to work on upgrading current systems of previous Mi-24 Hind designs, to allow for a modern continuation of the ageing design.
As a prototype, in 2019, the Mi-24RK surpassed official expectations and outperformed her older counterpart, boasting an impressive speed boost, as well as extended range. The Mi-24RK also has been retrofitted with a 2A42 30mm Automatic cannon, boasting improved firing capabilities compared to previous issues, most issued with only a 20mm nose-mounted auto cannon or the smaller 12.7mm Yakushev-Borzov Yak-B Gatling gun. With the increased range of 4000 meters, compared to the 2000 meters of previous designs.
Powerplant and performance:
The Mi-24RK Hind boasts the Klimov VK-2500-III turboshaft engines, a high powered derivative of the standard TV3-117VMA engines found in most Hinds. The engines are also designed to be Hot and High, allowing the Mi-24RK to be able to traverse the Vyaz mountain range with ease. The VK-2500-III engines offers an impressive combined 3,500 HP at a maximum continuous performance, with a larger 5,000 HP boost to take off performance. The two VK-2500-III engines are placed above the fuselage, one either side of the main rotor. This helps to protect the engines from hostile fire, giving the helicopter a safety margin. Given that either engine can compensate, on its own, to provide enough power to operate the main blade (at a reduced performance), this can help to pull the aircraft out of danger, protecting crew and cargo alike.
The Mi-24RK, like all Mi-24 variants, sports a main five bladed rotor, made from titanium with a massive 17.3 meter diameter at full throttle. The blades, like the body of the helicopter, have been made to withstand significant fire from 12.7mm rounds, allowing the helicopter to remain functional under continuous fire. The cockpit is resistant to 37mm rounds that could threaten the pilots during flights. Towards the rear of the aircraft, the tail rotor sports a three bladed design, typical of all hind developments. The landing gear of the helicopter is a standard Hind setup, consisting of a retractable tricycle, double front wheels and two single rear wheels.
Armaments:
Following with traditional Mi-24 Hind development, the OKB have designed the newest variant to her counterparts role, an attack helicopter with a sizeable troop compartment. The Mi-24RK Hind variant has been retrofitted to include a single chin-mounted 30mm Shipunov 2A42 cannon, with a 500 round capacity. The gun itself is able to fire in a wide 110° horizontal arch, with the ability to adjust for vertical targets. The gunner can also select one of two fully automatic fire rates, one low setting at 200 to 300 rounds per minute, to a higher setting of 550 to 800 rounds per minute. The 2A42 is capable of effectively engaging soft-skinned targets from 4,000 metres, and lightly armoured targets from 1,500 metres, with the added ability to engage other air targets at low altitudes of up to 2,000 metres.
The 2A42 30mm gun can also be found fitted on several other Central Ruskan vehicles, such as the BMD-2 and 3, as well as the BTR-90 and Ka-52 Alligator. The 2A42 fires 30x165 ammunition, a cartridge first introduced back in the 1970s, when the OKB first began to replace previous designs of the same calibre. Plenty of other systems use this ammunition throughout the USSCR, including various ground based vehicles, helicopters and air defence equipment, as well as numerous aircraft mounted weaponry. Most of the ammunition qualifies under three brackets: High explosive incendiary, high-explosive fragmentation with a tracer, and an armour-piercing ballistic capped with a tracer.
Along with her chin-mounted gun, the Mi-24RK can carry a total payload of up to 1,500 kilograms, spread across the four hardpoints (500kg for the two inner hardpoints, 250kg for the two outer hardpoints), the aircraft can also carry a pair of missiles attached to a wing-tip pylon. The Mi-24RK can carry a wide variety (See specifications) of weapon systems, ranging from the UPK-23 or GUV gun pods, to 57/80/122/240mm rockets, free fall bombs, and anti-tank or Air missiles. This allows the aircraft to cover a wide variety of aggressive roles, whilst still being able to transport troops.
The Mi-24RK has had also its anti-tank missile capabilities increased. The standard of the Hind allowed it to carry four (a pair mounted on either wing-tip pylon) 9K114 Shtrum AT missiles, however, in this updated version, it has been upgraded to include the 9M120 Ataka missile, capable of hitting armoured targets with up to 800mm of Rolled homogeneous armour from 3.7 (6 km) miles away. The Mi-24RK also has the ability to carry Modernised 9M120M Ataka variant, capable of hitting targets with up to 950mm of Rolled homogeneous armour from 4.9 miles (8 km) away.
Unlike the previous designs, the Mi-24RK has been outfitted with the ability to engage aircraft. Using the same design as previously stated above, the Mi-24RK can be equipped to carry two (a pair mounted on either wing-tip pylon) 9K333 Verba anti-air missiles, giving it an effective combat range of 4 miles (6.5 km) against airborne targets.
The Mi-24RK, like previous designs, is still able to carry the multitude of wing hardpoint mounted weaponry, including UPK-23-250 gun pods with the 23mm Gsh-23L autocannon with a ammunition capacity of 250 rounds. It is also able to carry general purpose FAB-100 or FAB-250 free fall bombs, and in addition the Mi-24RK can carry KMGU mine dispensers.
Lastly, the Mi-24RK Hind can be outfitted to carry hardpoint mounted rocket pods. Starting from the small 57mm UB-32 S-5 rocket launchers with a carry capacity of 32 rockets per pod, right up to the ability to carry massive 240mm S-24 rockets mounted singly on each hardpoint. All hardpoint mounted rocket pods are unguided rockets, meaning that they are designed for targeting and harassing large concentrations of enemy combatants or for providing saturation type close air support missions.
General Characteristics:
Crew: 2-3: Pilot, weapons system officer and technician (optional)
Capacity: 8 troops or 4 stretchers or 2,500 kg on an external sling
Length: 17.5 m (57 ft 4 in)
Rotor diameter: 17.3 m (56 ft 7 in)
Wingspan: 6.5 m (21 ft 3 in)
Height: 6.5 m (21 ft 3 in)
Disc area: 235 m2 (2,530 ft2)
Empty weight: 8,500 kg
Max. takeoff weight: 12,300 kg
Powerplant: 2 × Klimov VK-2500-III turboshaft engines, 2,400 hp (1,800 kW) each
Fuel: 1,840 litres internal, 500 litres on each external hardpoint
Cost: $12,500,000 USD
Performance:
Cruising speed: 173.9 mph (280 km/h)
Maximum speed: 214.373 mph (344 km/h)
Climb rate: 41 ft/s (12.5 m/s)
Service ceiling: 16404.2 ft (5,000 m)
Range: 326.2 miles (525 km)
Range with four auxiliary tanks: 702.1 miles (1,130 km)
Combat radius: 114.9 miles (185 km)
Combat radius with four auxiliary tanks: 188.2 miles (303 km)
Armament:
Guns: 1 x chin-mounted 30mm Shipunov 2A42 cannon with 500 rounds
Hardpoints: Two hardpoints under each stub wing to mount bombs, rockets, missiles and gun pods. Two wing-tip pylons to mount missiles. 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
100kg or 250kg FAB free fall bombs
KGMU2V submunitions/mine dispenser pods
57/80/122/240mm rockets and rocket pods
UPK-23-250 or GUV gun pods with 250 rounds
9M120 Ataka anti-tank guided missiles on wing-tip pylons
9K333 Verba anti-air guided missiles on wing-tip pylons
As a prototype, in 2019, the Mi-24RK surpassed official expectations and outperformed her older counterpart, boasting an impressive speed boost, as well as extended range. The Mi-24RK also has been retrofitted with a 2A42 30mm Automatic cannon, boasting improved firing capabilities compared to previous issues, most issued with only a 20mm nose-mounted auto cannon or the smaller 12.7mm Yakushev-Borzov Yak-B Gatling gun. With the increased range of 4000 meters, compared to the 2000 meters of previous designs.
Powerplant and performance:
The Mi-24RK Hind boasts the Klimov VK-2500-III turboshaft engines, a high powered derivative of the standard TV3-117VMA engines found in most Hinds. The engines are also designed to be Hot and High, allowing the Mi-24RK to be able to traverse the Vyaz mountain range with ease. The VK-2500-III engines offers an impressive combined 3,500 HP at a maximum continuous performance, with a larger 5,000 HP boost to take off performance. The two VK-2500-III engines are placed above the fuselage, one either side of the main rotor. This helps to protect the engines from hostile fire, giving the helicopter a safety margin. Given that either engine can compensate, on its own, to provide enough power to operate the main blade (at a reduced performance), this can help to pull the aircraft out of danger, protecting crew and cargo alike.
The Mi-24RK, like all Mi-24 variants, sports a main five bladed rotor, made from titanium with a massive 17.3 meter diameter at full throttle. The blades, like the body of the helicopter, have been made to withstand significant fire from 12.7mm rounds, allowing the helicopter to remain functional under continuous fire. The cockpit is resistant to 37mm rounds that could threaten the pilots during flights. Towards the rear of the aircraft, the tail rotor sports a three bladed design, typical of all hind developments. The landing gear of the helicopter is a standard Hind setup, consisting of a retractable tricycle, double front wheels and two single rear wheels.
Armaments:
Following with traditional Mi-24 Hind development, the OKB have designed the newest variant to her counterparts role, an attack helicopter with a sizeable troop compartment. The Mi-24RK Hind variant has been retrofitted to include a single chin-mounted 30mm Shipunov 2A42 cannon, with a 500 round capacity. The gun itself is able to fire in a wide 110° horizontal arch, with the ability to adjust for vertical targets. The gunner can also select one of two fully automatic fire rates, one low setting at 200 to 300 rounds per minute, to a higher setting of 550 to 800 rounds per minute. The 2A42 is capable of effectively engaging soft-skinned targets from 4,000 metres, and lightly armoured targets from 1,500 metres, with the added ability to engage other air targets at low altitudes of up to 2,000 metres.
The 2A42 30mm gun can also be found fitted on several other Central Ruskan vehicles, such as the BMD-2 and 3, as well as the BTR-90 and Ka-52 Alligator. The 2A42 fires 30x165 ammunition, a cartridge first introduced back in the 1970s, when the OKB first began to replace previous designs of the same calibre. Plenty of other systems use this ammunition throughout the USSCR, including various ground based vehicles, helicopters and air defence equipment, as well as numerous aircraft mounted weaponry. Most of the ammunition qualifies under three brackets: High explosive incendiary, high-explosive fragmentation with a tracer, and an armour-piercing ballistic capped with a tracer.
Along with her chin-mounted gun, the Mi-24RK can carry a total payload of up to 1,500 kilograms, spread across the four hardpoints (500kg for the two inner hardpoints, 250kg for the two outer hardpoints), the aircraft can also carry a pair of missiles attached to a wing-tip pylon. The Mi-24RK can carry a wide variety (See specifications) of weapon systems, ranging from the UPK-23 or GUV gun pods, to 57/80/122/240mm rockets, free fall bombs, and anti-tank or Air missiles. This allows the aircraft to cover a wide variety of aggressive roles, whilst still being able to transport troops.
The Mi-24RK has had also its anti-tank missile capabilities increased. The standard of the Hind allowed it to carry four (a pair mounted on either wing-tip pylon) 9K114 Shtrum AT missiles, however, in this updated version, it has been upgraded to include the 9M120 Ataka missile, capable of hitting armoured targets with up to 800mm of Rolled homogeneous armour from 3.7 (6 km) miles away. The Mi-24RK also has the ability to carry Modernised 9M120M Ataka variant, capable of hitting targets with up to 950mm of Rolled homogeneous armour from 4.9 miles (8 km) away.
Unlike the previous designs, the Mi-24RK has been outfitted with the ability to engage aircraft. Using the same design as previously stated above, the Mi-24RK can be equipped to carry two (a pair mounted on either wing-tip pylon) 9K333 Verba anti-air missiles, giving it an effective combat range of 4 miles (6.5 km) against airborne targets.
The Mi-24RK, like previous designs, is still able to carry the multitude of wing hardpoint mounted weaponry, including UPK-23-250 gun pods with the 23mm Gsh-23L autocannon with a ammunition capacity of 250 rounds. It is also able to carry general purpose FAB-100 or FAB-250 free fall bombs, and in addition the Mi-24RK can carry KMGU mine dispensers.
Lastly, the Mi-24RK Hind can be outfitted to carry hardpoint mounted rocket pods. Starting from the small 57mm UB-32 S-5 rocket launchers with a carry capacity of 32 rockets per pod, right up to the ability to carry massive 240mm S-24 rockets mounted singly on each hardpoint. All hardpoint mounted rocket pods are unguided rockets, meaning that they are designed for targeting and harassing large concentrations of enemy combatants or for providing saturation type close air support missions.
General Characteristics:
Crew: 2-3: Pilot, weapons system officer and technician (optional)
Capacity: 8 troops or 4 stretchers or 2,500 kg on an external sling
Length: 17.5 m (57 ft 4 in)
Rotor diameter: 17.3 m (56 ft 7 in)
Wingspan: 6.5 m (21 ft 3 in)
Height: 6.5 m (21 ft 3 in)
Disc area: 235 m2 (2,530 ft2)
Empty weight: 8,500 kg
Max. takeoff weight: 12,300 kg
Powerplant: 2 × Klimov VK-2500-III turboshaft engines, 2,400 hp (1,800 kW) each
Fuel: 1,840 litres internal, 500 litres on each external hardpoint
Cost: $12,500,000 USD
Performance:
Cruising speed: 173.9 mph (280 km/h)
Maximum speed: 214.373 mph (344 km/h)
Climb rate: 41 ft/s (12.5 m/s)
Service ceiling: 16404.2 ft (5,000 m)
Range: 326.2 miles (525 km)
Range with four auxiliary tanks: 702.1 miles (1,130 km)
Combat radius: 114.9 miles (185 km)
Combat radius with four auxiliary tanks: 188.2 miles (303 km)
Armament:
Guns: 1 x chin-mounted 30mm Shipunov 2A42 cannon with 500 rounds
Hardpoints: Two hardpoints under each stub wing to mount bombs, rockets, missiles and gun pods. Two wing-tip pylons to mount missiles. 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
100kg or 250kg FAB free fall bombs
KGMU2V submunitions/mine dispenser pods
57/80/122/240mm rockets and rocket pods
UPK-23-250 or GUV gun pods with 250 rounds
9M120 Ataka anti-tank guided missiles on wing-tip pylons
9K333 Verba anti-air guided missiles on wing-tip pylons