Mi-24: The Strike Power of the Ukrainian Army Aviation

On September 19, the Mi-24 combat helicopter turned 55 years old. On that day in 1969, its first prototype took to the skies. The aircraft was developed by the Mil Design Bureau under the concept of a "flying BMP" (infantry fighting vehicle), which envisioned a well-armed and protected helicopter for close troop support, as well as for transporting a squad of soldiers.

The first production version was the Mi-24A, which had a shared cockpit for the crew. However, the machine had significant flaws, including poor visibility for the pilot, who sat behind the operator. There were also issues with the armament. As a result, the next model, the Mi-24D, underwent major redesigns. A new nose section with separate cockpits for the operator and pilot was created. The armament was enhanced with the installation of a YakB-12.7 high-rate-of-fire machine gun. The Mi-24V became even more advanced, equipped with the modern "Shturm-V" anti-tank missile system. The most heavily armed version, the Mi-24P, featured a dual-barrel 30mm cannon. This version had a fuselage length of 17.51 meters, a rotor diameter of 17.3 meters, a maximum takeoff weight of 11.5 tons, a top speed of 320 km/h, and a practical flight range of 450 km.

In total, about 3,500 Mi-24 helicopters were built in nearly 40 versions. The vast majority were equipped with TV3-117 engines, producing up to 2,225 horsepower, manufactured by the Zaporozhye-based enterprise "Motor Sich."

The Mi-24's operational geography was extensive. It was used by over 60 countries, including Afghanistan, Algeria, Bulgaria, Vietnam, Venezuela, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Cuba, Nicaragua, Germany, Poland, Hungary, and Chad.

Due to its distinctive appearance, military aviators nicknamed the Mi-24 the "Crocodile." It became a symbol of the Afghan War and was also actively employed in many other regional conflicts in Asia, Africa, and post-Soviet regions. The Mi-24 earned a reputation as a reliable and low-maintenance machine. However, the "flying BMP" concept proved flawed. The helicopter typically performed only strike functions, and the troop compartment was deemed unnecessary, reducing its capabilities.

By 1991, Ukraine had seven helicopter regiments and four separate squadrons equipped with various versions of the Mi-24. Over 300 helicopters of this type were stationed in Ukraine, forming the backbone of the Army Aviation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. However, their numbers were significantly reduced over time. The Mi-24s were actively used in international exercises and UN peacekeeping missions, and since 2014, they have participated in the Russo-Ukrainian war. In addition to their traditional roles in striking ground targets, they began to be used to combat enemy drones. The first such instance was reported in October 2018.

The overhaul and modernization of Mi-24s are carried out by the Konotop-based "AVIAKON" plant. The Zaporozhye enterprise "Motor Sich" is also involved in helicopter upgrades, installing new engines and rotor blades.

The State Aviation Museum exhibits two machines from this family. The Mi-24A, built in 1974, was used in several separate helicopter regiments. In March 1988, it was decommissioned after reaching the end of its service life and transferred to the Military Training Faculty of the Kyiv Institute of Civil Aviation Engineers (now NAU). The Mi-24D was produced in 1975 and was in service until March 1989 with the 441st Separate Helicopter Regiment (Korosten, Zhytomyr region). On November 30, 2007, it was transferred to the museum from the NAU Military Training Faculty.