Reports of Ukrainian helicopters being used to counter russian long-range Shahed-136 kamikaze drone attacks first surfaced in late July, it was mentioned in an official statement from the Ukrainian Air Force Command. But a video demonstrating this tactic only recently appeared on social media, providing a rare glimpse into the operation.
The time, place, and even the helicopter's affiliation to a specific force or branch of the military are unknown. What is clear, however, is that the aircraft is a Mi-8 transport helicopter equipped with a nose-mounted machine gun turret. The mission, as shown, was a success.
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Наши ебашат по шахедам pic.twitter.com/irYXuE8NwF— НОСТРАДАМУС ТАВРИЧЕСКИЙ (@NOSTRAD90772201) August 22, 2024
In the footage, the helicopter is seen closing in on a Shahed-136 loitering munition. The machine gunner then opens fire and destroys the target in several long bursts, the drone explodes and vanishes beneath the helicopter. Notably, the gunner's use of an American HGU-56/P helmet suggests they are Ukrainian, as russia also uses helicopters to intercept drones.
Overall, the nose-mounted machine gun turret is standard equipment for some Mi-8 helicopters. For instance, the deeply modernized Ukrainian Mi-8MTV2 retains this weapon system, even after receiving upgrades such as additional armor, new navigation and communication gear, a searchlight, and self-protection systems.
It's worth noting that the Mi-8 platform is capable of supporting much more powerful weaponry. In russia, for example, the Mi-8AMTSh-VN variant, introduced in 2021, is armed with Kord 12.7mm machine guns mounted in the side doors and on remote-controlled weapon stations, as well as UPK-23-250 twin-barreled 23mm autocannons attached to the pylons.
Nevertheless, as the video illustrates, a simple 7.62mm machine gun is sufficient to take down a Shahed-136, as the gunner appears to be using a helicopter version of the PKT machine gun. Technically, the PKT could be easily replaced with an A-12.7 single-barreled 12.7mm gun in the same turret insert but this might be unnecessary and even cause additional troubles. After all, one should be mindful of the problem of exhaust gasses filling the cockpit.
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