Approved Mil Mi-72 'Chernyy Orel'

TheFlyingPotato

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Sep 2, 2020
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(Black paint and extended weapon wings identify this model as a TSIINTOCHMASH 'Corporate Security' gunship variant)

Model: Mi-72

Vehicle Type: VTOL Gunship/VIP Transport

Crew:
  • Gunship: 1 Pilot, 1 Gunner, 1 Crew Chief
  • VIP: 1 Pilot, 1 Gunner, 2 Attendants
Passenger Capacity:
  • Gunship: 16 Fully Armed Troops or 1 Light Strike Vehicle
  • VIP: 8 Passengers.
Accessibility: Restricted to Russian Military and Russian Military Contractors

Maximum Speed (not utilizing ducted fans): Mach 0.8

Cruise Speed (not utilizing ducted fans): Mach 0.7

Ceiling (not utilizing ducted fans): 50,000 ft

Range (not utilizing ducted fans): 10,000 kilometers

Maximum Speed (while using ducted fans): 500 km/h

Cruiser Speed (while using ducted fans): 445 km/h

Ceiling (while using ducted fans): 25,000 ft

Range (while using ducted fans): 4000 kilometers

Weapon Systems:
  • VIP:
    • Nose-mounted retractable turret fitted with a pair of caseless dual feed 30mm auto cannons usually loaded with APFSDS (Armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot) and HE (high explosive) rounds.
    • Right fuselage recessed gimbal mounted caseless 23mm cannon with 60 degrees of traverse, 10 degrees of elevation and 10 degrees of gun depression)
  • Gunship:
    • Nose-mounted retractable turret fitted with a pair of caseless dual feed 30mm auto cannons usually loaded with APFSDS (Armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot) and HE (high explosive) rounds.
    • Right fuselage recessed gimbal mounted caseless 23mm cannon with 60 degrees of traverse, 10 degrees of elevation and 10 degrees of gun depression)
    • Cabin mounted crew served 12.7x108 heavy machine gun
    • Internal fold out weapon wings (two pylons per wing)
      • Each pylon can mount four air-to-surface missiles, a single gun, bomb or rocket pod, eight ATGMs or two air-to-air missiles.
Manufacturer: Mil Design Bureau

Intent: To flesh out the Russian government and corporate faction equipment list in their city. So that they have a distinct style and appearance when compared to Manticore and the other corporations of the city. Also to provide transport for both NPCs and characters belonging to this faction, transport that's capable of 'flying under the radar', or staying as insignificant as possible to any radar operator (human or machine).

Description: The Mi-72 is the VTOL reincarnation of the venerable Mil Mi-24 Krokodil gunship and followed in the success of the Mi-68 Assault Transport VTOL, which in turn was the VTOL reincarnation of the Mi-17 variants that came to being in the late 2010s. It's unofficial designation came from the first prototype which was painted in black, and a test pilot remarked that it's wings reminded him of the outstretched wings of an eagle, hence the name 'Chernyy Orel' or 'Black Eagle'. The first prototype was lost in a crash due to an error in it's flight control software that failed to actuate it's ducted fan engines, the name still stuck.

The Mi-72 is somewhat unconventional in the world of VTOLs. It's chassis was built like all Russian aircraft to take a hit, and was reinforced with advanced titanium based composite armor. However, the aircraft's air frame was built with the intention of producing a minimal radar cross-section, given that 'true radar invisibility' for modern aircraft was still unattainable given the various associated complexities. However, given advances in radar absorbent material research, it was deemed feasible to cover the helicopter's armor plating with a layer of radar absorbent material and followed up with radar absorbent paint. This only helps to absorb some of the incoming radar waves, reducing the return signature. The return signature of a Mi-72 is small enough to be confused with a standard sized car, which is usually enough to ward off suspicion. However, in the case that it is not, the fuselage can take several armor-piercing 30mm impacts, and the canopy and cabin windows are rated to armor-piercing 12.7x108mm rounds. There are incidentally treated specially to absorb most incoming radar waves as well.

The craft's powerful afterburning turbofan engines don't allow it supersonic speeds, nor was the craft itself built for supersonic speeds. However, it does give it great speed compared to most fixed wing craft of it's size, and it's engines allow for a fantastic fuel efficiency which in turn allows for a fantastic range. The engines themselves have full three dimensional thrust vectoring, allowing for the craft to have impressive maneuverability for something of it's size, which is still considerably less than most equivalent dedicated gunships that choose to eschew troop compartments. To allow the craft to hover, each wing has a pair of ducted fan engines which along with the rear turbofan nozzles allows for a very stable hover. When not in use, the ducted fan engines' blades rotate to a 90 degree angle to prevent loss of lift. A protective screen can move into place atop the engine to prevent debris from entering, however this screen is not resistant to incoming fire. Notably, gunship crews operating in urban areas are careful about the profile of their craft that they show enemies to minimize the chances of the fans being hit.

The aircraft is smartlinked, allowing for the pilot to connect to the aircraft via interface port. It features full integration with the Russian Armed Forces issued flight suit, and streams pertinent data to the crew's HUD. The smartlink allows for a variety of functions to be managed by the pilot without ever touching the controls via neural impulse. Manual controls and a full 'glass cockpit' still remain, however pilots are encouraged to make use of the smartlink function. The secondary gun can also be controlled via impulse, however pilots are encouraged to use manual controls for the gun as the stresses of combat flying can and have led to misfires in the past. The gunner also controls the nose mounted turret using his smartlink, using neural impulse to designate targets for and fire the various weapon systems under their control. The gunner can also switch ammunition types for the main gun with ease using the smartlink. However, manual controls are still present, and the turret can be slaved to look where the gunner is looking.

The aircraft features full GLONASS receiver as well as terrain following radar. Image intensifiers allow the crew to identify targets visually, as well as through the sensor suite. Ground as well as air search radars allow for engagement of both ground based and aerial targets. Chaff and flare dispensers are supported by active IR and electronic jammers, radar warning receiver (RWR), laser detection system and a IR missile approach warning sensor.

The aircraft has a wide variety of armaments on board. All of the weapon systems are either recessed or retractable to maintain low radar cross section. In addition to it's cannons, the retractable weapon wings can accommodate a number of different weapon systems, from gun and rocket pods to anti-tank missiles. 'Corporate Security' variants are typically minimally armed to ward off suspicion and scrutiny, but are no less capable than the military variants. The VIP variant lacks the weapon wings, instead boasting enhanced communication functions that allow the occupants to stay connected no matter where they are.

In gunship configuration, the troop bay can seat sixteen fully armed and armored troops. The gunship transports VDV and various Russian special forces units more often than not, and is often used to cover the troops it's either airdropped via the rear ramp or landed to drop off. The troop bay also allows for troops to fast rope out, and in urban environments this proves to be the method of choice for debarkation. The crash seats in the rear feature shock absorbers, cushioning the impact of all but the worst crashes.

In VIP configuration, no expense is spared. Great attention is paid to detail to ensure that the VIP is transported in as much comfort and with as much convenience as possible. It's speed, weapons and armor ensure that the trip is as safe as possible. It's stealthy features ensure that whether avoiding the paparazzi or surface to air missiles, chances are they'll be left in the dust.

Despite everything, the gunship is still expensive, and till date has seen limited service with regular infantry units. However, it is extremely popular with the VDV and Russian special forces, who have nothing but good things to say about it. A few of these can be seen in city skylines, buzzing around dropping executives and ferrying security to where they need to be. It is a sure sign that the Russians are here, and they very much dare you do something to change that.