Mi-72 "Hitter"

Mi-72 "Hitter"

Mi-72
Image scanned from CP2020's Solo of Fortune 2.

The Mi-72 Hitter is the CIS's latest light attack helicopter. Featuring a contra-rotating rotor system famous to the Kamov OKB, the Mi-72 has improved survivability. Designed in 2053, and in full production in 2057, the Mi-72 is the newest addition to helicopter attack squadrons.
The Hitter features a typical seating layout, with the gunner in the front, while the pilot sits in the back. Full rigger control is standard, for both seats. Integrated controls are also standard, as well as backup manual controls. The Hitter also features ejection seats. In an emergency, the pilot or gunner pulls a handle, which small charges in the rotor and in the canopy break up the glass and rotor before the crew ejects. For game notes, it's more or less instantaneous, as any debris from the rotor should be taken away from the airstream, or the charges will ensure survivability of the crew. Also, the maneuverability of the Hitter is exceptional, able to do rolls, loops, etc, allowing it to perform a secondary anti-helicopter/aircraft mission.
The electronics suite of the aircraft is superb, with better electronics than most in it's class. The reason for this it was designed from the outset to be in a major war, able to move and fight in an electronic battlefield. The Hitter carries the most effective ECM/ECCM, sensors, with low cost but with high reliability. Mounted above the rotor mast is a unified target designator/optical sensor suite. This mount allows the Mi-72 to achieve a "hull down" position, enabling it to designate or perform recon missions with the benefit of cover. Some stealth features are added, such as Level 2 passive aural masking, as well as Level 1 passive thermal masking to enhance survivability in the event of combat. Chaff/flare dispensers are integral, adding protection against IR and radar homing missiles. The use of contra rotating rotors also allows it to go where most conventional choppers cannot go. Also mounted is a GPS suite, secure tactical communications (Rating 14), rangefinders, low-light as well as thermographic imaging systems. The nose incorporates a millimeter radar with pulse-Doppler with terrain following capability, giving he Mi-72 exceptional all weather attack capability. The armor protection of the Mi-72 is superb, almost that of the Banshee LAV. This also includes a gel fire suppression system, reducing the effectiveness of a possibility of the helicopter being destroyed before the crew can eject.
The Hitter's weapon loadout is no less impressive, though somewhat light. The main stub wings hold three hardpoints per wing, as well as a high angle chin turret holding a Victory rotary autocannon. The inner wing hardpoint can up to 4 CF, and the outer wing hardpoints can carry up to 3 CF of weaponry. The helicopter can also carry aircraft weapons, due to the need to standardize and reduce costs, and the total weapon load it can carry is 1,000 kg. It can carry most weapons, with the Kh-305 and R-58 being the only exceptions. This gives the Mi-72 tremendous flexibility, allowing it to perform a wide variety of missions. The Mi-72 however uses a special six cell launcher (similar to the UCAS AGM-114F "Hellfire") to carry AT-15 "Scythe" fire and forget ATGMs. However, the Mi-72 rarely carries bombs, as it cannot achieve the necessary velocity to make it worthwhile.
Handling Speed Accel B/A Sig Autonav Load Cost
4 250 35 5/15 7 5 1,000 8,489,250¥


Seating: 1 + 1 integrated ejection bucket seats
Access: 1 + 1 canopy
Economy: 0.3 km per liter
Fuel: 3,000 liters
Storage: 2 + 2 CF
Sensors: Military 1 (8)
ECM/ECCM: Military II (9)/Military II (9)
Other Accessories: Smart Materials (Rotor), 2 Datajack Ports, Secondary Controls, 20 man hours life support, Smartlink II Integration Kit, Battletac FDDM, Signature Increase (2, Aural suppression), 80/80 Chaff/Flare tubes.
Armament: Small remote turret that mounts a Victory Rotary Assault Cannon with 200 rounds. Mounted in the inner wing is a hardpoint with 4 CF capacity, outer wing hardpoint can mount up to 3 CF of weapons.
Weights: 7,035with full weapon load, and fuel, 5,175 kg fully empty.

Notes: The Mi-72 is a new evolution in helicopter technology, or more or less marketability. Rugged, reliable, the Hitter is an effective platform, able to accept a wide variety of stores and whatnot. For the gel fire suppression system, this automatically gives the vehicle two successes against fire based attacks (yes, that includes fire elementals as well). For use in anti-air operations (meaning you decide to use it against your PC's chopper), the radar can effectively track up to 10 targets, and 15 on a shared basis. The maximum range is 60 kilometers in air to air mode, and is also the generic range of the system. The mast mounted sight mounts a laser designator, and the optics are good out to 10 km in good weather, and has low-light, thermographic integrated with Flare Compensation as well. Note the "softball" (looks like one) can rotate 360 degrees, so don't think the whole chopper has to be pointing at you, it can designate for ground strikes, remember, this is meant for all out war, and this is one of the best equipped, if light for it. Also, treat the chin mounted Victory as having a elevation/depression of +75 to -10 degrees, with an arc of 270 degrees.


AT-15 "Scythe"
The AT-15 "Scythe" is a fire and forget anti-tank missile. Similar in appearance to the UCAS AGM-114F "Hellfire", the AT-15 gives the Mi-72 Hitter potent anti-tank capability. Using a multi-spectral head, the weapon can be guided by a laser designator, or the radar system. The warhead of the AT-15 is a tandem shaped charge with top attack capability, designed for maximum lethality against armored targets. The missile, upon launch, will seek out the target. It has two modes, directly controllable by the gunner/co-pilot. The first is simply "Automatic", which the weapon will allow the gunner to select the target, allowing it to home on it, with the pilot able to take evasive maneuvers. The second mode "Guided", simply lets the missile accept data from a another source (preferably somebody else doing the designation). This allows the missile let the chopper survive even more, in addition to it's long range (compared to some missiles). Also, this may be used as an ad hoc AAM, with the missile able to mainly engage helicopters, LAVs, and other relatively slow moving targets. Also, the large amount of electronics on the Mi-72 allows the helicopter to self designate, in case other assets are not available
Damage Intelligence Weight CF Short Medium Long Extreme Cost
16D 6 45 2* 15m-700m 701m-1,500m 1,501m-3,000m 3,001m-10 km 60,000¥

*The CF rating is only for when the missile is used by itself on another launcher. When mounted on the KGMU-8 launcher (see below), it's nothing to worry about.


KGMU-8 Multi-Weapon launcher
Designed for a multi-carrying capacity, the KGMU-8 is a six rail launcher that can carry both the AT-15 "Scythe" ATGM, as well as the AA-105 "Assern" SRAAM. The launcher itself requires 3 CF to mount, and weighs 150 kilograms, as well as adding six "stations" to the hardpoint, adding firepower to the Mi-32 (which it was designed for). To mount the system, only a suitable lifter and 15 minutes is needed.

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Fresh Productions, 1997