Македонските МИ-24
MACEDONIAN AIR FORCE REVEALES MI-24V "ALEXANDER" UPGRADE
Macedonian Air Force (Makedonsko Voeno Vozduhoplovstvo) used June 10th celebration of its 17th anniversary to reveal one of its two Mi-24V helicopters ultimately upgraded by Elbit Systems of Israel under a complex upgrade project, code-named "Alexander". Shown in the static at Petrovec air force base, near Skopje, was Mi-24V Hind-E "MAF-201" (c/n 20127) while the other upgraded aircraft, "MAF-205" (c/n 19977), remained far from public eyes in one of air base hangars.
Under "Alexander", an upgrade that was performed without involvement of Russian Mi-24 design bureau and manufacturer, the two 1984-produced Macedonian helicopters got their cockpits, cargo cabins and external lightings adopted for night vision goggle (NVG) operations, and were also equipped with day/night ANVIS/HUD-24 system that combines the image of AN/AVS-9 NVGs with vital aircraft flight and navigation data (including computer-generated graphics), providing that way an ultimate head-out flight solution to pilots and enhancing flight safety, tactical survivability and situational awareness. Integrated with the ANVIS/HUD-24 system is a newly installed Line-of-Sight system that significantly improves and increases the coordination between pilots. Macedonian helicopters are also equipped with modern GPS, VOR, ILS and DME navigation equipment, Rockwell Collins Talon RT-8200 V/UHF radio stations as well as with ATE-produced IFF systems with full characteristics for military application. All communication, navigation, and identification systems are NATO/ICAO-compatible and have been linked by MIL-STD-1553 digital databus. The "MAF-201" and "MAF-205" are also equipped with HELICOM digital integrated command, control, communication and mission management systems designed to provide crew members with accurate data communications and transmissions, real-time tactical picture and digital moving map for enhanced situational awareness. The most advanced peace of equipment installed on two Macedonian Mi-24Vs, however, is ElOp-produced third-generation compact multi-purpose advanced stabilized system (COMPASS) equiped with thermal imaging, color TV camera with continous zoom, eyesafe laser rangefinder and advanced automatic tracker. The electro-optical payload is positioned on the port side, imediately under the front cockpit that accomodates weapon system operator, and is integrated with the gun turret, Line-of-Sight system and multifunctional displays, that way enabling virtually unlimited 24-hour capabilities to upgraded helicopters.
The "Alexander" upgrade resulted with significant changes in the cockpits of modernized Mi-24V helicopters. Each cockpit got two 6in x 8in (15cm x 20 cm) color display, one of which is multi functional touch display (MFTD). The front cockpit on each helicopter was extensively modified and now features a mission grip for simultaneous manipulation with both electro-optical payload and gun turret. The gun turret can also be slave by weapon system operator to his helmet i.e. the 12,7mm gun can me aimed by simple looking at the target. The necessery weight savings was achieved by removing all sub-systems of 9K113 Shturm (AT-6 Spiral) anti-tank guided missile system as well as by entire removal of heavy and rarely used system for automatic bombardment. This leaved "MAF-201" and "MAF-205" short of possibility for use of guided anti-tank missiles and resulted with notable removal of launchers for anti-tank missiles from their wings. In terms of available
weapons, Macedonian helicopters will, however, keep relying on improved day/night aiming and guidance when using gun, unguided rockets and bombs.
"Alexander"-upgraded Mi-24s have been generally overhauled and repainted at the Ukrainian state enterprise AVIAKON Konotop Aircraft Repair Plant in August 2005 and serve within Petrovec-based Combat Helicopter Squadron "Night Thunders" (Borben Helikopterski Skvadron - BHS, "Nokjni Molnji") that operates a fleet of eight Mi-24Vs since October 2005. Initially, this unit was equipped with 12 Hinds (10 Mi-24V Hind-E, serials 201-210; and two Mi-24K Hind-G2, "211" and "212") procured second-hand from Ukraine in 2001.
