The first Mi-28UB helicopters were produced at Rostvertol company of the Russian Helicopters Holding (the part of State Corporation “Rostec”). Machines are undergoing user acceptance testing at the company. It is planned to deliver 8 Night Hunters with dual control before the end of this year.
The Mi-28UB, designed for the Russian Aerospace Forces, passed state tests successfully. As a result, batch manufacturing of this vehicle began at the plant in Rostov in 2016. Thus the helicopter, alongside its primary objective, can be used for flight instruction and for training flight personnel. The creation of dual control helicopters is the logical continuation of developing the concept of an attack army helicopter.
“Production of the first Mi-28UB batch is an extremely important event not only for Rosvertol and Russian Helicopters but also for our colleagues from the Russian Ministry of Defense. The delivery of modernized Night Hunters will begin soon,” said Andrey Boginsky, CEO of the Russian Helicopters holding.
“The Mi-28 proved its efficiency, so we are expecting that its training version will be of great demand in armies. This dual control helicopter breaks new ground for training flight personnel for machines of this type,” he added.
The main difference of Mi-28UB from a classical Night Hunter is the dual control system that allows piloting the helicopter from both command cockpit and operator's cockpit. There are other special characteristics. For example, ergonomics is enhanced significantly: energy-attenuating seats with improved characteristics are installed in the cockpit; they can absorb shock energy in case of crash landing. Airborne avionics and communication tools have also been changed, and this increased the helicopter’s reliability, safety and performance specifications significantly.
The Mi-28UB, as well as its predecessor, preserves its maneuvering capability and can carry out military tasks at any time of the day or night. The Mi-28UB can be used for fire support of land advanced units and antitank defense. The helicopter possesses improved armor protection and is characterized by high tolerance to battle damage and equipped with a large weapon system.
The main customer of OJSC Rostvertol is the Russian Ministry of Defense. In accordance with the approved schedule, the company delivers the whole line of produced helicopters to the Ministry and modernizes equipment produced for the Russian Ministry of Defense in cooperation with Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and under the guidance of Russian Helicopters.
