The AH-2 Sabre attack helicopter gunship was a short-lived Brazilian Air Force variant of the Russian Mil Mi-35M gunship series outfitted with Israeli avionics.
AH-2 "Sabre" is the designation used to represent twelve Russian Mi-35 heavy assault gunship helicopters in service with the Brazilian Air Force. The type was born from the Mi-35M4 model of Russian origin and both are directly related to the original Soviet Cold War-era Mi-24 "Hind" series though largely updated for the rigors of the modern battlefield. The AH-2 retains most of the form and function of the Mi-35 series but is fielded with Israeli-originated avionics to better suite Brazilian Air Force requirements. The Mi-35M is based on the Mi-24V which introduced a night-attack capability, revised communications suite, new avionics, reduced weight components, and modernized weapons suite.
The AH-2 seats two crew in a tandem arrangement though, unlike Western attack types, features a passenger cabin under its main rotor. This proves useful in fielding combat-ready infantry along a mobile front while the helicopter supplies its own fire support. Standard armament is 2 x 23mm cannons mounted to a trainable chin turret while optional armament is stationed at multiple underwing hardpoints and support up to 8x Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs), 80mm/120mm rocket pods, and cannon pods as needed. Power is from 2 x Klimov VK-2500 series turboshaft engines of 2,500 horsepower driving a four-blade main rotor and four-blade tail rotor. Speeds reach 310 kmh with ranges out to 460 kilometers.
Onboard systems include the OPS-24N night vision, an InfraRed (IR) jamming system, integrated IR engine suppression system, and Radar Warning Receiver (RWR). Redundancy enhances survivability over contested zones and cockpit armoring protects the crew and vital systems as low altitudes.
In November of 2014, the Brazilian Air Force announced the final three of their twelve-strong order of AH-2 helicopters had been delivered. Brazil is one of the few South American powers to employ the services of a dedicated gunship / attack helicopter. The line will strengthen Brazil's close support capabilities and be used in conjunction with other strike and surveillance aircraft like the Embraer Super Tuncano series.
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February 2022 - Brazil has elected to retire its modest fleet of AH-2 Sabre helicopters due to high maintenance requirements as well as cost and difficulty in obtaining spare parts to keep the fleet viable.
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Ground Attack (Bombing, Strafing)
Ability to conduct aerial bombing of ground targets by way of (but not limited to) guns, bombs, missiles, rockets, and the like.
✓Close-Air Support (CAS)
Developed to operate in close proximity to active ground elements by way of a broad array of air-to-ground ordnance and munitions options.
Length
57.4 ft (17.50 m)
Width/Span
56.8 ft (17.30 m)
Height
21.3 ft (6.50 m)
Empty Wgt
18,420 lb (8,355 kg)
MTOW
25,353 lb (11,500 kg)
Wgt Diff
+6,934 lb (+3,145 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the base Mil AH-2 Sabre (Mi-35M) production variant)
Installed:
2 x Klimov TV3-117VMA OR VK-2500 turboshaft engines developing 2,500 horsepower each driving five-bladed main rotor and four-bladed tail rotor.
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the base Mil AH-2 Sabre (Mi-35M) production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)
STANDARD:
1 x 23mm Twin-barreled gun in chin turret.
OPTIONAL:
Up to 8 x Air-to-Surface / Anti-Tank missiles OR 4 x 80mm / 122mm rocket pods / cannon pods / gun pods across four underwing hardpoints.
Supported Types
(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
Hardpoint Mountings: 4
AH-2 "Sabre" - Base series designation based on the Mil Mi-35M production model; Israeli avionics fit.
General Assessment
Firepower
Performance
Survivability
Versatility
Impact
Values are derrived from a variety of categories related to the design, overall function, and historical influence of this aircraft in aviation history.
Overall Rating
The overall rating takes into account over 60 individual factors related to this aircraft entry.
74
Rating is out of a possible 100 points.
Relative Maximum Speed
Hi: 200mph
Lo: 100mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (193mph).
Graph average of 150 miles-per-hour.
City-to-City Ranges
NYC
LON
LON
PAR
PAR
BER
BER
MOS
MOS
TOK
TOK
SYD
SYD
LAX
LAX
NYC
Mil AH-2 Sabre (Mi-35M) operational range when compared to distances between major cities (in KM).
Max Altitude Visualization
Design Balance
The three qualities reflected above are altitude, speed, and range.
Aviation Era Span
Showcasing era cross-over of this aircraft design.
Unit Production (12)
12
36183
44000
Compared against Ilyushin IL-2 (military) and Cessna 172 (civilian).
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Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
Images Gallery
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Image from official Russian Helicopters marketing material, JP Moralez.
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Brazil (retired)
