n 1966, Soviet aircraft designerMikhail Milcreated a mock-up design of a new helicopter (derived from theMil Mi-8) which was made with the intent of fulfilling both the role of a close air support aircraft as well as being able to transport infantry into combat.[1]This prototype design was designated the V-24, and in 1968 a directive was given to proceed with the development of the helicopter.
The Mi-24 went from the drawing board to the first test-flights in less than eighteen months, with the first models being delivered to theSoviet Armed Forcesfor evaluation in 1971. As a result of the speedy development, the initial Mi-24 variants had a number of problems: lateral roll, weapon sighting issues, and a limited field of view for the pilot. A later redesign of the Mi-24's front section solved most of these problems.
(Hind-F) The gunship version, which replaced the 12.7mm machine-gun with a fixed side-mounted 30mm GSh-30-2K twin-barrel autocannon. Entered production in 1981.
