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.]] The Mil Mi-24 is a large combat Helicopter Gunship and low-capacity troop transport operated from 1976 by the Soviet Air Force, its successors, and over thirty other nations. Its NATO Reporting Name is ''Hind'' and variants are identified with an additional letter. The export versions, Mi-25 and '''Mi-35''', are denoted as ''Hind D'' and ''Hind E'' respectively. Soviet pilots called the aircraft 'letayushiy tank' or ''flying tank''. Another common nickname is 'Krokodil' (''Crocodile'') - due to the helicopter's camouflage and hull shape. CHARACTERISTICS The core of the aircraft was taken from the Mil Mi-8 (NATO reporting name "Hip H"), two top mounted Turboshaft engines driving a mid-mounted 17.3 m five-blade main Rotor and a three blade tail rotor. The engine positions give the aircraft its distinctive double air intake. Versions D and above include a characteristic tandem Cockpit with a "double bubble" canopy. Other components of the airframe came from the Mi-14 . Weapon hardpoints are provided by two short mid-mounted Wing s (which also provide Lift ), each offering three stations. The load-out mix is mission dependent; the ''Hind'' can be tasked with close air support, anti-tank operations, or aerial combat. The body is heavily armoured and the Titanium rotor blades can resist impacts from 12.7 mm rounds. The cockpit is Overpressurized to protect the crew in NBC Condition s. The craft uses a retractable Tricycle Undercarriage . PROBLEMS The comparatively high size and weight of the ''Hind'' limit its endurance and maneuverability. In tight banking turns it can roll alarmingly as the wings lose lift - this was noted during test-flights in 1969 but has still not been entirely eliminated. To counter this vulnerability, the Russians operate the aircraft in pairs or larger groups, with attacks carefully coordinated to strike from multiple directions simultaneously. Another weakness was the possibility of the main rotor striking the tail-boom during violent maneuvers. Its high loaded weight can also limit its effectiveness as a helicopter; some reports state that with a full load the ''Hind'' needs a rolling take-off and also cannot hover. The problems with the dual-role ''Hind'' have prompted the development of the Mil Mi-28 and also the Kamov Ka-50 to replace it in the gunship role. Also, the wings interfere with the aircraft's ability to Hover and take off vertically. In fact, the Hind is certified to hover for only about 200 hours during its entire lifetime, a consequence of its emphasis on forward speed. COMBAT EXPERIENCE
The first use of the Mi-24 in combat was with the Ethiopian forces during the Ogaden War against the Somalis. The helicopters formed part of a massive airlift of military equipment from the Soviet Union, after the Soviets switched sides towards the end of 1977.
The aircraft was operated extensively during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan , mainly for bombing Mujahideen fighters. The US supplied heat-seeking Stinger Missile s to the Mujahideen , and the Soviet Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters proved to be favorite targets of the rebels. The ''Hind'' gunships constituted a part of the 333 Helicopters Lost During Combat Operations In Afghanistan , an unknown number to ground fire. The cockpit was heavily armoured and could withstand even .50 cal rounds, but the ''Hind''s tail is extremely vulnerable due to the lack of armour in that section. The heat-seeking nature of the anti-aircraft weapons employed by the Mujahideen combined with the ''Hind''s exhaust being directly under the main rotor caused the aircraft to disintegrate if hit. This was remedied later by countermeasure flares and a missile warning system being installed into all Soviet Mi-4 , Mi-8 , and Mi-24 helicopters giving the pilot a chance to evade the missile or crash-land. During this conflict, the ''Hind'' proved effective and very reliable, earning the respect of both Soviet pilots and the Mujahideen, who scattered as quickly as possible when Soviet target designation flares were lit nearby. The Mujahideen nicknamed the Mi-24 as the "Devil's Chariot" due to its notorious reputation. One Afghan rebel said "We do not fear the Soviets. We fear their helicopters."
The ''Hind'' saw considerable use by the Iraqi Army during the long war with their neighbour, Iran . Its heavy armament was a key factor in causing severe damage to Iran ian ground forces. This war saw the only confirmed air-to-air helicopter battles in history with the Iraqi ''Hind''s flying against Iranian AH-1J SeaCobra s (supplied by the US military) on several separate occasions. These rare battles saw Iraq emerge with a slight edge with ten AH-1Js downed by ''Hind''s compared to six ''Hind''s downed by AH-1Js.
''Hind''s were also used by the Sandinista Army during the civil war of the 1980s .
Sri Lanka's air force used ''Hinds'' when an Indian Air Force detachment was deployed there in support of the Indian and Sri Lankan armed forces in their fight against various Tamil Groups . It is believed that Indian losses were considerably reduced due to the heavy fire support provided by their ''Hind'' gunships.
The ''Hind'' was again employed heavily by Iraqis during their invasion of Kuwait , although most were withdrawn by Saddam Hussein when it became apparent that he would need them to retain his grip on power in the aftermath of the war.
During both wars in the Russian republic of Chechnya , beginning in 1994 and 1999 respectively, Mi-24s were employed by the Russian armed forces. As with Afghanistan, however, the Mi-24s were vulnerable to rebel tactics. Dozens are believed to have been shot down or crashed during military operations. A contributing cause to these crashes is the poor Maintenance given to these aging helicopters.
The Sudanese air force acquired six Mi-24's in 1995 which were used in Southern Sudan and the Nuba Mountains to engage the SPLA . At least two aircraft were lost within the first year of operation while not in combat, but may have been replaced. A further twelve were bought in . Mi-24's were also deployed to Darfur in 2004 - 2005 .
This UN peace keeping mission employed the MI-25/35 helicopters from the Indian Air Force to give support to the mission. The IAF has been operating the region since 2003.
The Macedonian armed forces used the Mi-24V effectively against Albanian rebels. The Mi-24V was the most effective weapon against the terrorists, with enemy casualties mounting in their hundreds in the Aracinovo and Radusa offensives.
Polish contingent in Iraq is using 6 Mi-24D since November 2004 . VARIANTS Initially modelled on the Bell AH-1 Cobra and borrowing extensively from existing models the ''Hind'' went from drawing board in 1968 to first test-flights in less than eighteen months. First models were delivered to the armed forces for evaluation in 1970 . The Mi-24A (''Hind-B'') did have a number of problems - lateral roll, weapon sighting problems, and limited field of view for the pilot. A heavy redesign of the aircraft front section solved some of these problems.
The newest variant is the 1995 Mi-24VM, with light-weight fibre main and tail rotors to improve all-round performance, updated avionics to improve night-time operation, new communications gear, shorter and lighter wings, and updated weapon systems to include support for the Ataka, Shturm and Igla-V missiles and a 23 mm main gun. Other internal changes have been made to increase the aircraft life-cycle and ease maintenance. The Mi24VM is expected to operate until 2015 . Since 1978 around 2,000 ''Hinds'' have been manufactured, 600 for export. The U.S. Army operates a number of Hinds in Louisiana for Adversary Training . Operators
SPECIFICATIONS (MI-24)
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