The history of the development of the Mi-24 helicopter of the legendary battle

• The history of the development of the legendary combat helicopter Mi-24

Most recently it marked the 50th anniversary of the day when in the air for the first time the famous Mi-24 rose. The legendary Soviet attack helicopter managed to "win" more than twenty armed conflicts around the world and put more than one record. And although the Mi-24 crossed its fiftieth anniversary, and pilots, and military experts are sure that this unique machine will last the same amount.

The first attempts to bring to life the idea of ​​creating a combat helicopter, which will be able to fire support for ground troops, have been undertaken in the mid-20th century. During the development of Soviet military engineers agreed that eventually should get armed amphibious machine. As a result, in 1966, work on a project commissioned by Mikhail Mil Design Bureau.

Mikhail Mil. / Photo: fishki.net

At the embodiment of developments in the life it is gone do not have much time. In many ways, speed of creation was made possible by a helicopter learned "lessons" in the design and testing of other machines Mile. In addition, this experience has been successfully applied on existing by the time the drawings. Interesting fact: the variation of the new helicopter designed personally Mikhail Mil in his diary, some of which have been crossed out, and accompanied by the designer commented: "Flying is, will not fight."

The first models in the amount of two units were manufactured in 1967. The future of the Mi-24, which is then designated as B-24, was the embodiment of the concept of "flying infantry fighting vehicle." A helicopter in the sky for the first time climbed 19 September 1969. Drove the car pilot GV Alferov, chief designer personally attended the trial. Several years later, the helicopter took the Soviet Army already as the Mi-24.

Mi-24 on parade in St. Petersburg, 2018. / Photo: ria.ru

Almost from the start of service Mi-24 has been involved directly in a number of armed conflicts, among them - the war in Sierra Leone, Angola and the Republic of Chad. We should also mention the work of the helicopter in Afghanistan. The Mi-24 has become the unofficial symbol of the war. In total, the number of armed conflicts, which were attended by the famous Soviet helicopter has more than two dozen.

Admire the Mi-24 and among the pilots. It turned out that the helicopter is good to protect them from enemy fire. During the first and second Chechen wars Mi-24 returned to the place of deployment with fifty holes in the fuselage and in two dozen main rotor. A powerful armor reliably protect soldiers from enemy fire.

In addition, Mi-24 is also a record among other machines. For example, for many years he was considered the fastest in the world in helicopters after the establishment of the flight speed in the 368, 4 km \ hour in 1974.

Today Mi-24 stands in service in more than 70 countries. Although all attempts to modernize the helicopter can not be called successful - the same modification of the Mi-35 pilots are not too favor - he still remains one of the best drum machines in the world.