Russia disclosed more details about the Product 305E ‘fire-and-forget’ airborne missile at the EDEX-2021 defence exhibition. The multipurpose weapon will arm export versions of the Mi-28NM and Ka-52M attack helicopters, which are called NIGHT HUNTER and ALLIGATOR among Russian pilots. The news came from Sergey Mikhailov, the High-Precision Weapons (HPW) holding deputy CEO.
The new missile will enhance the gunship’s combat capabilities, especially against heavy armoured vehicles and bunkers. Mr. Mikhailov named the Product 305E as the first Russian multipurpose missile able to destroy all types of target. Previously, two types of missiles were used for this. One was used against armoured vehicles and a second to target the rest. This principle was implemented in the development of the ATAKA (Attack) missiles.
Product 305E has a mass of 105 kg with a warhead of 25 kg. It is designed to complement the ATAKA 9M120-1 guided missiles within the rotorcraft weapon complex. The system has been already adapted for both the Ka-52M and Mi-28NM. Other helicopters, light aircraft and drones may become the next platforms to use the A305E, said Mr.Mikhailov. The missile was developed by the Kolomna Machine-Building Design Bureau (KBM) and was first demonstrated at the Army-2021 international forum. The missile has already reached the serial production stage.