Mil Mi-40

The Mi-40 is a sort of ‘rotary-wing infantry fighting vehicle’ relying on the Mi-28’s rotor system and powerplant. The Mi-40 programme was first launched as early back as in 1983 to be suspended soon since the company went for the Mi-42 helicopter featuring the unconventional NOTAR concept to compensate the main rotor’s reactive torque. Due to the Soviet Union collapse and general economic crisis, the Mi-42 programme had to be cancelled. However, by then the Mi-28 combat helicopter had been built and passed many of its relevant tests. So, a decision was made to use its configuration for building an ‘aerial BMP’ (IFV) that was to replace the Mi-24 attack helicopter. With a crew of two, the Mi-40 will be able to haul eight assault troops in full gear, while carrying such organic weapons as automatic cannon, machineguns and ATGMs. According to the designers, the Mi-40’s unification with the Mi-28 is expected to reduce the time for its development and testing.

Proposed Mi-28 with enlarged fuselage containing cabin for eight troops, modified u/c in sponsons incorporating weapons hardpoints and additional lower fuselage barbette.

This is a mockup used in the videogame modification I work on:
http://img92.imageshack.us/my.php?image=thmi405vk.jpg