Mil Mi-24 / Mi-25 / Mi-35 (Hind)

The Mil-produced series of "Hind" helicopters was a favorite Cold War-relic and continues (albeit modernized) in many of today's armies including Russias. The heavy helicopter is capable of commanding various battlefield roles, both in peacetime and wartime, and has seen extensive combat in a variety of war zones ranging from Africa through the Middle East and into Russia.

The Mi-24 is built on the systems of the Mi-8 "Hip" transport helicopter and incorporates systems and subsystems from the Mi-17 series. Original Mi-24's featured a 'glass house' cockpit very dissimilar from the more familiar tandem, stepped cockpit pictured. The fuselage is very adaptable, capable of carrying up to eight combat-ready troops or passengers or four loaded stretchers. Wing systems allow for a plethora of armament to be loaded, with the most standard being rocket pods, gun pods and anti-tank missile systems. Wingstubs compliment the armament by allowing the ability to arm the helicopter with air-to-air missiles for self-defense. An under-nose mounted powered turret system rounds out the list of firepower amenities available to the pilot and gunner.

The Mi-24 has seen action in the Soviet War in Afghanistan where Mi-24's were frequent targets of US-provided Stinger surface-to-air missile systems. The Mi-24 was used to popular affect in the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980's, where they squared off against US-provided AH-1 Cobra helicopters (Saddam Hussein would later implement the Mi-24's in Iraq again to put down rebel uprisings throughout the country). The Hind was used in the Nicaraguan Civil War, Sri Lanka, the invasion of Kuwait, the Russian-Chechnya wars, in Sierra Leone, Kosovo, Ivory Coast and as recently as the Congo. The Hind-series is a popular alternative in many countries where a full-fledged air force is not affordable or needed, as evident by it's use in warring African countries.

The Hind-D model was the turning point for the system as it incorporated the new (fully-armored) cockpit seating and the four-barrel powered turret. In all, the Hind-series has seen it's fair share of action around the globe. Though not a perfect weapon system by any stretch, it has faired quite well when fighting on traditional fronts and not so well when up against guerilla-type forces. It is interesting to note that the US Army owns a few Hind helicopters for training purposes. The Hind may also be known as "The Crocodile" or the "Devil's Chariot".

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Last Revision: 5/25/2008