The first Mi-8AMTSh-VN Sapsan special forces fire support helicopters entered the Russian army. Two contracts have been signed, the vehicles must enter the troops in & nbsp; during the years 2021 & nbsp; and 2022 & nbsp ;. AiF.ru has found out what is good about the new helicopters and what their purpose will be.
& nbsp; Objective
& nbsp; The modernized helicopter is capable of performing a wide range of special tasks: from transport and landing functions to special forces fire support. The helicopter will lead the group to the designated location and then, after landing, provide fire support to the group if required. It is a kind of flying chariot. Its use is more efficient, since fire support will be provided immediately.
& nbsp; Base
& nbsp; In a 'flying chariot' Heavily armed and armored turned Mi-8, it is the most massive helicopter in the world, which is in service with the Soviet and Russian armies of the sixties of the last century. With an increased combat load, the machine & nbsp; noticeably heavier. To compensate for the extra weight, the helicopter was fitted with a more powerful engine modification than the one fitted to the Mi-8AMTSh today.
& nbsp; Modernization
& nbsp; Taking into account the combat use experience of the Mi-8 in Syria, a deep modernization of the helicopter was carried out. Mi-8 & mdash; unique helicopter. If needed, you can make anything out of it, including a universal transport and combat helicopter, experts say.
Experts have increased the combat efficiency of the Mi-8ATMSh-VN by optimally combining the principle of a “glass cockpit”, reliable analog equipment and a digital autopilot.
& nbsp; In Afghanistan, after delivering soldiers to their destination, the Mi-8, as a rule, returned to the airfield. The landing was usually covered by a pair of Mi-24 helicopters, which were lined up in a “carousel”. The new helicopter has sufficient firepower, a large ammunition load and good transport capabilities to independently support the special forces.
& nbsp; The helicopter is capable of flying both in hot climates and in harsh conditions at high altitudes. The ability to work anytime of the day and in any weather for Sapsan enables the newest optoelectronic observation station GOES-321MK with a thermal imaging channel. Now these are installed on the Mi-35M shock. From him they will also take the OPS-24N-1L sighting and surveillance system with a laser missile guidance system. The new combat vehicle needs them to use its impressive arsenal of guided missiles.
& nbsp; All radio-electronic equipment is brought together by the on-board complex IBKV-17VP. The cockpit of the modernized Mi-8 is completely in & # 39; & # 39; & # 39; & # 39; & # 39; s glass & # 39; & # 39; with four large multifunctional indicators. The devices are suitable for use with night vision goggles.
& nbsp; To protect against portable anti-aircraft missile systems, it is planned to install an optical-electronic suppression station of the Vitebsk family. Optional equipment includes equipment for receiving and processing information from drones, an airborne radar station and warning equipment for radar exposure.
& nbsp; Arsenal
& nbsp; In the more heavily armed version, the helicopter will carry up to four Hermes at long range, up to eight attacks. or up to 2 tons of air bombs. One of the options for ammunition suspension involves the use of four modern short-range 'Verba' air-to-air missiles.
& nbsp; New Sapsan will be able to use the ATGM 9M120 “ Attack '' which have become common for attack helicopters in versions with highly explosive cumulative fragmentation and thermobaric warhead. Their range is around six kilometers.
& nbsp; In addition to guided missiles, the Mi-8AMTSh-VN will be equipped with a set of unguided rockets, large caliber machine guns, suspended containers with aircraft guns and automatic grenade launchers, such as usual for military transport vehicles. It will also be able to use aerial bombs with a caliber of 50 kg to 500 kg. & nbsp;
& nbsp; Protection
& nbsp; Cargo compartment “ Sapsan & # 39; & # 39; received quick detachable kevral armor, saving small arms. Production Mi-8AMTShs only protect pilots, rear machine gun mount, and vital systems. In the new modification, Special Forces were also covered in armor. The new version of the Mi-8 is equipped with the President-S defense complex: it detects and classifies missiles fired at the helicopter and, depending on their type, triggers thermal traps or interferes with the seeker.
& nbsp; Production
& nbsp; The Mil factory made the decision to proactively develop a helicopter for the Special Operations Forces (SSO) in 2017. In May 2018, development work under the name & # 39; 39; & # 39; Sapsan & # 39; & # 39; has been approved by the Ministry of Defense. More than 800 million rubles were immediately allocated for these purposes.
& nbsp; Source: RIA Novosti