Mil is to begin flight testing of the Mi-28N all-weather variant of the Havoc attack helicopter in March, following a four-month delay in the programme.
The Mi-28N was first flown with a short hop at the end of 1996. It was then grounded because there was no funding to pay Perm Motors for modifications to the main gearbox, which was removed following the first flight and sent to Perm for alteration.
The Russian army has an outstanding requirement for an all-weather attack helicopter, but has no funding to back development, let alone procurement.
Mil is looking to potential export customers in the near to medium term to allow the programme to continue, hoping that the Russian army will be able to purchase the helicopter in the longer term.
Source: Flight International