The conflict that erupted between Russia and Ukraine in 2022 compelled the Russian military
to employ every resource at their disposal to counter the steadfast resistance of the defenders.
Among these assets was the sophisticated Mil Mi-28NM, Russia’s most advanced attack helicopter,
outfitted with the cutting-edge 290 LMUR Izdeliye 305 missile.
Both the helicopter and its potent anti-tank missile have been captured in photographs
and videos during frontline operations, with social media footage showcasing the helicopters
operating in pairs, preparing and launching LMUR missiles to completely obliterate their targets…
Havoc-B Attack Helicopter
The Soviet Union introduced the Mil Mi-24 gunship in 1972. The helicopter could
carry up to eight men and be fitted with an arsenal that ranged from Yak-B Gatling guns,
twin-barrel autocannons, passenger PKB machine guns, and up to 1,500 kilograms worth of bombs.
Although the Mi-24 was the ultimate gunship design, the Soviet Air Force issued a request
for a lighter and faster helicopter with better performance and less transport capability.
Mil manufacturer began preliminary studies in 1976
alongside its competitor Kamov. But while Mil developed the Mi-28, Kamov introduced
the original single Ka-50 helicopter that would later turn into the Alligator.
The first Mi-28 prototype had its maiden flight in 1982 with significant success.
It was followed by the slightly improved Mi-28A, which featured an X-type tail rotor,
redesigned engine exhausts, more powerful sensors, and self-defense devices.
But despite its innovative features, the crumbling Soviet Army settled for the
night-capable Mi-28N, which comprised a round radar above the main rotor.
This night variant was outfitted with FLIR or forward-looking infrared cameras,
improved vision for night operations, and a more accurate aiming device.
The enhanced capabilities made the Mi-28N a good companion for
the Mi-24 Hinds due to its versatility for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat.
Mil Mi-28NM Variant
The first batch of Mi-28Ns entered service with the Russian Air Force in January of 2008 and was
delivered to the 344th State Combat Training and Flight Crew Conversion Center in Torzhok.
Then, as the years went by, the Havoc-B was assigned to other
operational units of the Russian armed forces.
When the war against Ukraine broke out in February of 2022, Russia had over 120 Havoc-B Mi-28s in
service. Over a dozen were lost in combat during offensives against the Ukrainian defenders.
According to official statistics from the Russian Army Aviation, a branch of the Russian Aerospace
Forces, the armed forces had 110 Havoc rotorcraft in service by January of 2023.
Most were the basic version of the Havoc, the M-28N, and about 25 were
the rare Mi-28UB variant that features dual controls and a modern mast-mounted N025 radar.
There were also over ten of the latest Mi-28NM Hind models.
This unique variant is part of a modernization program from 2016
and was combat tested for the first time in March of 2019 over the skies of Syria.
The Havoc-B Mi-28NM Night Hunter was first shown at Russia’s International
Aviation and Space Salon, or MAKS, in 2021.
Compared to the standard N-version, this has upgraded weapons, state-of-the-art systems,
and features the BRLK-28 radar system and N025M radar mounted on the rotor mast.
The Night Stalker is also armed with an OPS-28M Tor-M electro-optical turret under the nose and
a new SMS-550 turret, while the two crewmen use a modern NSTsI-V helmet-mounted sight and display.
LMUR Izdeliye 305 Missile
The Mi-28NM variant of the Havoc-B saw combat operations in Ukraine for the
first time in October of 2022. Since then, the powerful helicopter has been filmed
and photographed by civilian and military personnel from all sides of the conflict.
Several social media posts attracted the attention of many military analysts who quickly noticed
that some of the Hinds were carrying additional armament not seen before. Such was the case of the
B13L1 launcher under the wing, which contains up to five 122-millimeter unguided rockets.
What’s more, Zvezda Television and other Russian media outlets showcased
the rare model with an even more unusual weapon: the LMUR Izdeliye 305 missile.
The LMUR is a cutting-edge Russian helicopter-launched air-to-surface missile
that serves, above all, as an anti-tank missile with fire-and-forget technology. Once the LMUR
is launched, it automatically targets the hostile vehicle without the pilot's need to keep aiming.
Although little information is known about the true capabilities of the LMUR,
it has already been used in the war against Ukraine. Footage from the Ukrainian and Russian
militaries has corroborated its use and the level of destruction left behind by Mi-28NM attacks.
User Rob Lee has posted several clips of possible 305 LMUR missile strikes on Twitter.
In one of them, a warehouse in Kharkiv Oblast appears to be the target, while another post
shows what appears to be a missile fired by a Ka-52 helicopter to destroy Ukrainian facilities.
Russia was criticized at the beginning of the special operation in Ukraine for
employing dated missiles that usually resulted in collateral
damage due to poor accuracy and obsolete technologies.
However, the 305 LMUR has bolstered the combat effectiveness of Russian
helicopter attacks due to its exceptional accuracy.
LMUR in Combat
The LMUR missile has an approximate maximum range of nine miles, a speed of 447 knots,
and a flight altitude of almost 2,000 feet. Plus, it has a length of nearly 80 inches,
an overall weight of 231 pounds, and carries a warhead of over 55 pounds.
On January 14, 2023, Rob Lee posted another unusual video showing the combination
of a Mi-28NM Night Stalker helicopter launching Izdeliye 305 LMUR missiles.
The footage was taken directly from the pilot’s cockpit of the latest
Havoc-B variant during an operation where he employed the LMUR missile.
The compilation video shows several clips taken by the pilot during several missions in Ukraine. The
first few seconds showcase the pilot's cockpit but not the front operator’s position. Based on the
footage, the interior of the Night Stalker looks very similar to that of the standard Mi-N variant.
Two multifunction displays in a side-by-side configuration are seen alongside standard analog
instruments. The only addition appears to be the ILS-28NM heads-up display.
And as the clip progresses, the crewmen can be seen engaging objectives during day
and night operations in the Ukrainian landscape employing the LMUR missile.
Chopper Tactics
The captured images give a glimpse of Russian helicopter
tactics recently employed in Ukraine, specifically those of Mi-28NM Hinds.
The pilot from the first Night Stalker is seen looking both ways to locate the other Mi-28NM
accompanying him in his mission. The video also shows the pair of attack helicopters accompanied
by a Mi-8 Hip transport helicopter, which stays behind them, but always within range.
Analysts have suggested the transport helicopter follows
the pair to evacuate the crewmen if one of the helicopters is shot down during combat.
Additionally, one of the Mi-28NMs can be seen carrying two LMUR missiles on a twin APU-L
rail on the outer pylon. They are covered with a cap when suspended in the rail launcher, which is
done to protect the missiles from collecting dirt and debris during low-level flights.
The video also shows how the cover is raised before firing the missile.
For the time being, Russia has reported it will continue producing thousands of LMUR missiles,
given its success at the front. And the Defense Ministry also announced it had placed an order
for almost 100 Mi-28NM helicopters that will be delivered in the upcoming three years…
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