The_Soviet_Army_troops_organization_and_equi

The internal cargo payload of the HALO A is 20,000 kilograms, the same a s its reported external payload. It can carry its full payload of 20,000 kilograms a distance of 800 kilometers.

The cargo area, which is larger than that of the Soviet An-12/CUB medium-range'fixed-wing trans-

port, is large enough to carry any of the following:

over 100 troops, two BRDM-2 scout cars, two

BMDs, one BMP, one BRT-60/70/80, one MT-LB, or variants of these vehicles. In addition to the weapon systems which can be carried i n the HOOK, the HALO A can accommodate the follow-

ing: a BM-21 MRL, a 2S1SP howitzer, a ZSU.23-4 S P AA gun, a n SS-21/SCARAB TEL, a Ural-375

cargo truck, or a loaded 8,000to 10,000-liter POL truck. The load and lift capabilities of the HALO A a r e comparable to t h e US C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.

The length of the main landing gear legs can be hydraulically adjusted individually to facilitate

loading through the rear doors and to permit landing on varying surfaces. The retractable tail skid permits unrestricted approach to the rear cargo doors. Two electric winches (each with 2,500-kg lifting capacity) on overhead rails can move loads along the length of the cabin.

The HALO A has a n avionics package that includes weather radar, radio navigation, Doppler radar, and moving map display. These features give it an all-weather flight capability. It also has a fully automatic pilot.

REMARKS:

The West first identified the HALO A in 1978. I t s first public appearance was at the Paris Air

Show in June 1981. It has been operational since 1982. I t i s replacing the Mi-6A/HOOK i n the

heavy-lift squadrons of the front-level transport helicopter regiment.

Preliminary information indicates that the Mi-28/HAVOC A is a ground-attack helicopter

similar in appearance to the US AH-64 Apache. It has an all-metal, semimonocoque fuselage. This i s probably much narrower t h a n t h a t of the HIND, since the HAVOC A has no passenger/ cargo compartment. The fuselage is also slightly shorter than that of the HIND, with stepped cockpits to the rear of the nose for the gunner in front and the pilot above and behind him. Due to the narrow profile, the twin turboshaft engines, fitted with air-intake covers, are not mounted atop the fuselage but rather on the upper sides, just behind the cockpits. Above the engines is a five-blade main rotor; the tail rotor is mounted on the right side of the vertical stabilizer. The fixed, tailwheel. type landing gear has single main wheels on V-struts below the cockpit area. Stub wings below the engines have pylons for weapon stores.

Armament may include a 30-mm cannon in a chin turret and up to 16 ATGMs on the stub wing pylons. In place of the ATGMs, the pylons

may also mount rocket pods, AAMs, or modified

SAMs (possibly the SA-14/GREMLIN.) As with other current Soviet helicopters, the HAVOC A may also be fitted with IR suppressors and IR decoy flare dispensers.

CAPABILITIES:

The HAVOC A is designed as a ground-attack helicopter, primarily for an antitank role. It has improved acceleration, low-altitude maneuverability, a n d low-speed flight characteristics compared to the HIND. Its slim profile, maneuverability, and alternative air-to-air armaments also give it favorable characteristics for a secondary

role of engaging enemy antitank helicopters. It is expected to have night/adverse weather capability

similar to the Apache's.

REMARKS:

When fielded in the early 1990s, the Mi-28/ HAVOC A will supplement the Mi-24/HINDin the

ground-attack helicopter role. The Mi-28probably exists in several variants.

Preliminary information indicates that the HOKUM A is a unique fighter helicopter with a streamlined fuselage and a tapered nose resembling a jet aircraft. It probably has, retractable tricycle landing gear and a distinctive coaxial, contra-rotating, main rotor system. There is no tail rotor on the vertical stabilizer. Two large horizontal stabilizers project from the sides of the tail boom. Twin turboshaft engines with air-intake covers are mounted high on the sides of the narrow fuselage, just behind the cockpit. Large auxiliary wings below the engines have pylons for weapon stores.

Armament may include 23-or 30-mm cannons mounted under the nose and a combination of AAMs and modified SAMs (possibly the SA-14/ GREMLIN) on the wing pylons. The HOKUM A is not believed to carry ATGM armament. As with other current Soviet helicopters, the HOKUM A may also be fitted with IR suppressors, an IR jammer, and IR decoy flare dispensers.

The Soviets apparently have designed HOKUM A as a special-purpose fighter helicopter with a primary air-to-air role. It could have a maximum speed of approximately 350 kilometers per hour.

The HOKUM A is likely to employ its AAMs and rapid-fire cannons as a low-level tactical counter-

air system. Its primary targets would be enemy close air support aircraft, including antitank helicopters.

REMARKS:

The Kamov Design Bureau probably designed the HOKUM A. It has produced other coaxial-rotor

helicopters for Soviet naval aviation. When fielded in the early 1990s, the HOKUM A will give the Soviets a significant rotary-wing, air-to-air capabil­

ity for which no Western counterpart exists. This helicopter probably exists in several variants.