Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant Mi-24 Hind

Twin Rotorcraft

The Mil Mi-24 Hind is the world's first purpose-built attack helicopter capable of carrying troops, a flying infantry fighting vehicle that redefined rotorcraft doctrine when it entered Soviet service in 1972. Designed during the Cold War to deliver eight fully equipped soldiers directly into hot landing zones while providing devastating fire support, the Mi-24 combined the roles of gunship and transport in a way no Western helicopter attempted. Its armored cockpit, stub wings for weapons pylons, and distinctive tandem greenhouse canopy made it instantly recognizable over Afghanistan, Africa, and Eastern Europe throughout the 1980s and beyond. Powered by twin Klimov TV3-117 turboshafts producing 2,200 shaft horsepower each, the Hind could reach 208 knots in level flight and operate at altitudes up to 14,750 feet with a combat radius exceeding 100 nautical miles. The type's heavy armor—able to withstand 12.7mm rounds to critical areas—and ability to carry 57mm rockets, anti-tank missiles, and a four-barrel 12.7mm Gatling gun made it a fearsome ground-attack platform. More than 2,300 were built across multiple variants, and the Mi-24 remains in active military service with over 50 countries, though a handful have found their way onto civilian registers for airshow demonstrations, firefighting trials, and military contractor support roles. The example registered N204VS represents one of the rare Hinds operating under FAA experimental or restricted category certification in the United States. SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with the largest observed operator.