Output of Mi-24PM Combat Helicopter Begins

Output of upgraded Mi-24PM combat helicopter has begun at the Rostov Helicopter Plant, Moscow Mil’ Helicopter Plant press service employee, Vadim Mikheev, reported Tuesday to RIA Novosti.

“The helicopter is equipment with night vision equipment and more effective weapons,” he noted.

According to him, the newest reinforced materials have been introduced into the helicopters design. For example, the blades are made from multilayered composites, the pilots’ seats are equipped with energy absorbing gear that in a number of instances will allow saving the crew’s life in the event of the aircraft’s fall. New engines have been installed with lower noise.

“In the next 2 months, the Kazan’ Helicopter Plant will start into production the new multirole Mi-38 helicopter which is intended for civil and military use,” he added.

According to Mikheev, the Moscow Mil’ Helicopter Plant has prepared a conception for the creation in the Rosaviakosmos structure of an OAO Mi Helicopters holding company. “The conception, as is expected, will be discussed at Rosaviakosmos in September of this year. The holding company will be created within the framework of the federal program for the reform of defense complex enterprises. Our experimental plant; the Kazan’, Rostov and Ulan-Ude helicopter plants; the Moscow Vpered plant and the KNPP Mi Helicopters – a former subsidiary of the Moscow Helicopter Plant in Kazan’ – will be included in it. The conception provides for the state to keep the controlling shares in the holding company.”

“With the creation of the holding company, conditions will be improved for the fastest start into production of new helicopters,” Mikheev said.

Source: 29.07.03, RIA Novosti

The upgrade sounds like the full standard one: the new rotors, the new engines (VK-2500), the new weapons (shorter wings with Mi-28 style weapon load, Ataka missiles), night vision equipment (probably MFD in the cockpit and either the Zarevo or GOES-342 sensor fit, depending on how accurate the article is- Mi-24PM could mean PN) etc.