Mi-28NM

Description

In 2009, shortly after the Mi-28N was formally accepted into service, multiple programs were already underway to upgrade the helicopter. The primary competitor, the Mi-28NM, represents the latest in Russian attack helicopter technology. Developed by Rostvertol, it features several improvements over its predecessor, such as advanced avionics, the N025 radar with enhanced capabilities for target detection and tracking, upgraded avionics, optics, powerplant, and weapons. The NM boasts a more powerful VK-2500 engine, increasing its payload capacity and operational range. This upgrade enables it to carry an array of weaponry, such as the Vikhr laser guided missiles and the Khrizantema radar-guided anti-tank missiles. Additionally, it incorporates advanced night vision and targeting systems for all-weather operations, significantly improving its combat effectiveness. The Mi-28NM first flew in 2016, and successfully completed state acceptance trials in 2020, with plans shortly after to upgrade the existing Mi-28N fleet as of 2022.

The Mi-28NM (NATO reporting name: Havoc) is a Soviet attack helicopter introduced in Update "Ground Breaking". The Mi-28NM is a further modernized version of the previous Mi-28N. While this Havoc may look more fashionable, it is meaner than ever in combat. The new sensor suite has excellent quality 3rd generation gunner thermals and the radar, MAWS, and new RWR improve situational awareness. The arsenal has been improved with the addition of two new ATGMs: the 9K127 Vikhr made famous by Kamov's Ka-50/52, and the radar-guided 9M123 Khrizantema previously only seen on the ground-based Khrizantema-S. The Mi-28NM still lacks some of the flexibility of its Kamov counterparts, but it can unleash a huge amount of destruction on enemy tanks thanks to its precise and advanced ordnance, great survivability and handling, and powerful avionics.

General info

Flight performance

The Mi-28NM is not so different when it comes to flight performance compared to his predecessors. It can reach high speeds with ease but severely lacks manoeuvrability and agility compared to its counterparts, particularly the EC-665 Tiger family. While it is able to quickly reach fast speeds, the Mi-28 also takes time to slow down, forcing pilots to estimate the braking distance to avoid enemy fire or crashing.

Survivability and armour

The Mi-28NM has an armoured cabin that protects all flanks of both the pilot and the gunner from small arms fire and fragmentation. It is one of the strongest armoured helicopter cabins in the game, making it able to withstand multiple hits from small machine guns. However, armour is inefficient when facing heavy calibre anti-air such as 12.7 mm machine gun fire and higher calibre autocannons; missiles are not excluded. The Mi-28NM also has access to a high quantity of countermeasures, nothing new in Russian helicopters. It has access to 128 countermeasures that are coupled to the Missile Alert Warning system. They are particularly useful when facing IR guided missiles from various threats. Carrying chaff in these pods can also be useful, although its effectiveness may be limited due to the resistance of radars to interference at this rank. However, it is also able to be used when facing SARH and ARH missiles such as the AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-54 Phoenix. As with all helicopters, the best armour is to remain hidden and at stand-off distance, using buildings or environmental cover to protect you from radars, IRST and visual contact which will then escalate to engagement.

Modifications and economy

It is recommended that the ATGMs are prioritized, followed by NVD and finally countermeasures. The initial Ataka missiles are useful as starter missiles but later missiles should be prioritized, especially the Vikhr ATGM. As one continues to research, protection modules are advised such as flak jacket. Flight performance modules are suggested but not a 'must have'.

Armaments

Ballistic Computer
CCIP (Guns)	CCIP (Rockets)	CCIP (Bombs)

Offensive armament

The Mi-28NM is armed with:

• 1 x 30 mm 2A42 cannon, chin turret (250 rpg)
• 128 x countermeasures

Suspended armament

The Mi-28NM can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

	1	2	3	4
23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg)		1	1
250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs	1	1	1	1
500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs	1	1	1	1
S-8KO rockets	20	20	20	20
S-13OF rockets	5	5	5	5
9K127 Vikhr missiles	6			6
9M39 Igla missiles	4			4
9M120-1 Ataka missiles	4, 8			4, 8
9M123 Khrizantema missiles	4			4

The Mi-28NM has a wide selection of weaponry for a range of roles, from small-game hunting to the most armoured targets.

Three types of ATGMs are available. The stock 9M120-1 Ataka is a mostly identical to the basic 9M120 Ataka seen on earlier Soviet helicopters, but has beam-riding guidance instead of SACLOS. 800 mm of tandem warhead penetration and 6 km of range are below average at such a high battle rating, and it is not safe to use against radar SAMs. Vikhrs are completely superior to the Atakas with 8+ km range and a proximity fuse, allowing them to engage SPAA from safer distances and shoot down incoming SAMs as an improvised active protection system. This makes them by far the most flexible option, but they also have a more limited capacity of only 6 tubes per pylon, versus 8 for the others. The Khrizantemas are heavier descendants of the Ataka, and although the range is still a short 6 km, they have 50% greater penetration and hit as hard as a BMP-2M's Kornet, easily defeating most top-tier tanks.

The Mi-28NM still has access to Igla missiles, making the Mi-28N a formidable anti-air platform against unaware jets or those with poor speed and maneuverability at the cost of ATGM capacity. It should be noted that the Vikhr can also be used for the anti-air role, but require the constant attention of the user instead of being fire-and-forget like the Igla.

Amusingly, the Mi-28NM's arsenal adds back the 250 kg and 500 kg bombs that were unavailable to the previous two Russian helicopters and last seen on the Mi-24P Hind. Thus, the highly advanced Mi-28NM and the capstone of the Mil Mi line is in fact the best helicopter bomber in the game with a maximum load of 4x 500 kg = 2,000 kg. It should be obvious that helicopter bombing at top tier with the Mi-28NM is much more challenging than with the Mi-24A at 8.7, but the option does exist for bold pilots.

Defensive systems

The Mi-28NM can be outfitted with MAW (Missile Approach Warning) system and 128 countermeasures.

• 128 countermeasures are installed on the wingtips in two pods.
• The Missile Approach Warning (MAW) detects any incoming missile and notifies you about it, as well as deploying the countermeasures automatically.
• The helicopter is equipped with a laser-based DIRCM (Directional Infrared Countermeasures) system, which shines laser beam at incoming infrared homing missiles to effectively disrupt their tracking. This system is much more reliable and effective than other IRCM systems in-game.

Usage in battles

The Mi-28NM is a gunship and should be used as such. It holds a very capable array of weapons for all scenarios: from column destroying to anti-ship duties. The primary role of the Mi-28NM is Close Air Support, making it a very capable platform for assisting ground allies against other ground assets with rockets and missiles. However, it can be used primarily in three ways:

• Anti-tank role: due to the significant amount of ATGMs it can carry, the Mi-28NM is more than suited for tank busting at all ranges in all weathers. Trees, buildings, and other environmental cover should be used to ensure the survivability of the Havoc as it will protect it from detection and, in case of being spotted and engaged, a route of escape as well as solid cover against enemy missiles and anti-air cannons.
• Rocket launcher: the immense quantities of rockets it can carry make it a flying MLRS, able to strafe all sorts of ground targets with the vast selection of rockets. S-8KO rockets prove to be the best for taking out both armoured targets and lightly armoured but scattered targets, as the penetration and quantities of the rockets ensure you are able to cover a wider area with salvos. The S-13OF rockets are more of a heavy duty rocket where a lot of explosive power needs to be centralized in a single place, for example when taking down enemy bases and control points in Helicopter Enduring Confrontation mode.
• Anti-air: not only do the Vikhrs prove themselves to be a formidable anti-air weapon, but the vast amount of Iglas show that the Mi-28NM is very much capable of taking care of the airspace, as it can take a maximum of 8 targets almost simultaneously. The best way to approach this role is to stay behind cover, out of sight and engage only when an enemy aircraft is spotted, being helicopter or jet. One of the main disadvantages of facing helicopters with the Igla is that most will have MAW at top tier, which will automatically pop flares and confuse the Igla; for this reason, unsuspecting opponents should be targeted, and if possible, be strafed with the autocannon.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• High max speed and decent vertical climb rate when loaded (10m/s)
• Arsenal of versatile weaponry against both ground and air targets
• Has access to 3rd gen gunner thermals and N-025 search radar
• Has access to Missile Approach Warning (MAW) system
• 30 mm 2A42 autocannon with APDS rounds that can penetrate MBTs
• Strong cockpit armour that can withstand 12.7 mm AP rounds
• Unique DIRCM system making it almost immune to IR missiles
• N-025 K-band radar does not trigger RWR, with MTI scan mode capable of identifying both air and ground targets

Cons:

• Sluggish airframe and irresponsive pitch
• Tendency to roll right due to imbalanced lift in rotor during high-speed turns (300+ km/h)
• N-025 radar lacks the 360° scan mode like the AN/APG-78 on the Apaches
• Can barely stay airborne if one of its engines are damaged to or beyond orange state
• Autocannon dispersion is quite large beyond 1 km range

History

Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the helicopter in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === In-game description ===, also if applicable).

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the Mi-28NM from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

See also

Related development

• Mi-28 (Family)

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• other literature.