Russia Deploys Mi-28N Helicopter during Union Shield 2006

During the "Union Shield 2006" Russian-Byelorussian large-scale headquarters exercises the Mi-28N helicopter, for the first time accomplishing tasks in military maneuvers, proved its full readiness to be used in real battlefield environment.

For participation in the exercises two Mi-28N helicopters, the experimental and first serial ones, were suspend from the final stage of the state joint tests. Helicopters including the Mi-28N were used at the final phase of the exercises for close fire support of tank columns. Due to helicopter’s high piloting characteristics only two preliminary flights were performed by the helicopters crews during preparation for the exercises in order to practice group flying and master the tactics of operation in pair.

During the exercises the Mi-28N helicopter crews demonstrated nap-of-the-earth flight; steep climb followed by a fire attack from diving and approach for a repeated attack. Unguided missiles were launched at assumed enemy’s targets followed by firing the airborne gun.

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