The Mi-28N Night Hunter is engineered for one mission above all—dominate the low-altitude battlefield by day or night. With a mast-mounted radar, thermal and TV sensors, anti-tank missiles, and heavy armor, it sits at the heart of modern army aviation concepts: find-fix-finish, even in GPS-denied or high-EW environments.
As militaries rearm and adapt to drone-saturated combat zones, the Mi-28N’s blend of survivability, long-range precision, and networked targeting keeps it on shortlists for nations seeking proven rotary-wing firepower at a competitive lifecycle cost.
Dr. Aisha Karim, Defense Aviation Scholar: “The Night Hunter’s value proposition is simple: rugged airframe, heavy armor, and dependable firepower—optimized for sustained combat tempo rather than boutique missions.”
Mi-28N Night Hunter
The Mi-28 family evolved from the Cold War requirement to counter heavy armor under severe air defense threat. The Mi-28N (“N” for Nochnoy, night-capable) added mast-mounted radar, advanced electro-optics, and a fully digital cockpit. Incremental packages since the late 2010s added improved missile options, better EW protection, and upgraded crew ergonomics.
Between 2024 and 2026, industry focus has included counter-UAS tactics, extended-range ATGMs, and hot-and-high performance refinements, aligning the platform with current combat realities.
“Night Hunter crews train to exploit cover, pop up, deliver precision, and displace fast. The machine was built around that choreography.”
Overview Table
| Category | Mi-28N Night Hunter – At a Glance |
|---|---|
| Role | All-weather attack helicopter; anti-armor, CAS, armed recon |
| Crew | 2 (pilot + gunner in tandem) |
| Powerplant | 2 × turboshaft engines (class ~2,200–2,400 shp each) |
| Rotor System | Five-blade main rotor; conventional tail rotor |
| Max Speed | ~300 km/h |
| Combat Radius | ~200–250 km (mission-dependent) |
| Service Ceiling | ~5,500 m |
| Sensors | Mast-mounted radar, thermal imager, TV/LLTV, laser rangefinder/designator |
| Armament (typical) | 30 mm chin-mounted cannon; ATGMs (e.g., Ataka/Vikhr class), rockets, A2A MANPADS |
| Protection | Armored cockpit, crashworthy seats, IR suppressors, EW self-protection suite |
| Network | Data link for target cueing and coordinated strikes |
Prof. Kenji Moriyama, Rotorcraft Systems: “The Mi-28N’s design centers on survivability first—armor, redundancy, and systems hardening—then layers on the precision and night/all-weather sensors.”
Eligibility Rules (Operator Fit & Use-Case Criteria)
Although “eligibility rules” are not a literal government scheme here, defense buyers typically assess:
- Mission Need: Heavy CAS/anti-tank in contested airspace; ability to integrate with ground JTACs/UAV feeds.
- Environment: High-dust, hot-and-high, maritime littorals, or urban terrain requiring rugged gear.
- Industrial & Budget Fit: Capacity for license support, local maintenance, and predictable sustainment costs.
- Interoperability: Ability to align with existing munitions, radios, and C2 networks.
- Training Pipeline: Simulator access, syllabus length (conversion + tactics), and aircrew throughput.
Benefits of the Program (Platform Advantages)
- Armor-First Philosophy: Cockpit and vital systems hardened against ground fire; crashworthy design improves crew survival.
- Night/All-Weather Lethality: Mast radar, FLIR/TV, and laser rangefinding deliver 24/7 targeting.
- Missile Flexibility: Anti-tank missiles with top-attack/longer-range variants; rockets for area suppression.
- EW Survival Suite: IR signature reduction, missile approach warning, and countermeasures adapted for MANPADS-dense zones.
- Sustainment & Sortie Rate: Robust, maintainable architecture for high availability in forward locations.
Eliseo Duarte, Military Sustainment Analyst: “Operators praise the Night Hunter for field maintainability. In protracted operations, that can be more decisive than a flashy spec sheet.”
Defense Procurement & Lifecycle Snapshot
Since this is not a consumer program, the ‘payment/processing’ section is presented as a procurement and lifecycle planning aid.
| Item | Typical Considerations |
|---|---|
| Acquisition Model | Government-to-Government (G2G) or direct OEM contract; option for phased deliveries |
| Package Scope | Airframes, spares, ground support equipment, simulators, test benches |
| Training | Initial conversion, weapons employment, NVG/IFR, maintenance tracks |
| Sustainment | Performance-based logistics (PBL) or spares-on-demand; depot vs. line maintenance mix |
| Funding Profile | Milestone payments tied to production lots, acceptance trials, and IOC/FOC gates |
| Offsets/Industrial | Licensed MRO, localized component work, technical data packs |
| Compliance | End-user certificates, ESH (environment, safety, health), and export controls |
Comparison/Extra Insights (Mi-28N vs. Ka-52 vs. AH-64E)
| Feature | Mi-28N Night Hunter | Ka-52 Alligator | AH-64E Apache |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crew Layout | Tandem | Side-by-side | Tandem |
| Signature Feature | Heavy armor + mast radar | Coaxial rotors (no tail rotor) | Longbow radar + mature net-centric toolkit |
| Top Speed | ~300 km/h | ~300 km/h | ~293 km/h |
| Primary ATGM Class | Ataka/Vikhr family | Vikhr/Hermes family | AGM-114/179 Hellfire/JAGM |
| EW/Survivability | IR suppressors, MAWS, flares/chaff | Similar EW suite, coaxial agility | Advanced EW; global upgrade ecosystem |
| Sustainment Footprint | Rugged, field-repair oriented | Agile handling advantages | Broad global supply chain |
| Best-Fit User | High-tempo CAS/anti-armor with budget discipline | Urban/naval agility focus | Interoperability with Western coalitions |
What it means: Mi-28N generally leans into ruggedness and armor, Ka-52 leans into agility and command-recon, while Apache brings deep integration and Western munitions.
Recent Updates (2024–2026)
- 2024: Emphasis on counter-UAS tactics—integration of proximity-fuse airburst rockets and optimized cannon programming for slow/low drones.
- 2025: Avionics refresh cycles standardize cockpit displays, improve pilot workload, and refine data-link cueing from UAVs and ground observers.
- 2026 (program focus): Trials and field feedback drive longer-range ATGM profiles and EW hardening against modern MANPADS seekers; continued work on hot-and-high engine margins and dust-ingestion mitigation.
Anke Schreiber, Battlefield Air Power Analyst: “The real modernization is doctrinal: helicopter-UAV teaming, disciplined exposure times, and precision from standoff—not hovering over threats.”
Why It Matters?
- Armor Warfare is Back: Conflicts highlight the need for rotary-wing tank-killing paired with drones and artillery. Mi-28N offers the kinetic punch and survivability for that role.
- Standoff Precision Saves Aircrews: With longer-range ATGMs and better cueing, Night Hunter can strike outside many SHORAD envelopes, preserving pilots and airframes.
- Budget Reality: Not every force can afford premium Western fleets. The Mi-28N targets cost-capable lethality, with logistics built for austere bases.
- Doctrine Shift: Helicopters now act as networked shooters, not lone wolves. Mi-28N updates enable sensor-fusion with UAVs and fast handoffs from ground reconnaissance.
Specs & Weapons Quick-Reference Table
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Gun | 30 mm chin-mounted cannon (selectable HE/API loads) |
| ATGMs | Ataka/Vikhr class; evolving extended-range options |
| Rockets | 80–122 mm pods; optional airburst fusing for C-UAS/soft targets |
| A2A | Short-range MANPADS-class missiles for self-defense |
| Sensors | Mast radar + EO/IR turret (thermal/TV), laser designator |
| EW | MAWS, RWR, chaff/flare, IR signature suppression |
| Crew Protection | Armored tub, energy-absorbing seats, redundant systems |
| Flight Aids | Auto-hover, terrain-following aids, integrated nav/attack suite |
Procurement & Operating Cost Mini-Table (Planner’s View)
| Cost Element | Planning Cue (Illustrative) |
|---|---|
| Acquisition | Bundled airframes, weapons starter-kit, spares, tools |
| Training | Simulators reduce cost per flight hour; phased syllabus |
| O&S (Ops & Support) | Budget for engines, blades, avionics LRUs, EW expendables |
| Upgrades | Plan mid-life avionics/EW refresh and missile spiral-updates |
| Availability KPI | Field units target high sortie generation under austere support |
FAQs
What sets the Mi-28N apart from earlier variants?
The “N” brings night/all-weather capability via mast radar and improved EO/IR, plus a digital cockpit and modern EW suite.
Can the Mi-28N engage drones?
Yes. With cannon programming, airburst rockets, and cueing from radars/UAVs, it can counter many Class-1/2 drones.
How survivable is it against MANPADS?
It uses IR suppression, missile warning, and countermeasures to cut engagement windows. Tactics stress standoff, masking, and pop-up profiles.
What is the effective anti-tank range?
ATGMs in the Ataka/Vikhr family provide multi-kilometer standoff; newer profiles aim for extended ranges to outrun SHORAD.
How does it compare to the Apache?
Apache brings wide coalition interoperability and JAGM/Hellfire ecosystems. Mi-28N emphasizes ruggedness and cost-effective lethality with solid night/all-weather sensors.
Is the Mi-28N suitable for hot-and-high operations?
With ongoing engine and filtration refinements, it’s increasingly optimized for hot-and-high and dusty environments—planning still requires conservative payload margins.