The Mi-55 Locust is the SGB's infantry transport and also serves as a deep strike tansport and extraction crew for out of the fight units. Unlike all other transports, it does not have a rear ramp, since the Russian RU-20 Bodyguards can rope down the hatch just as easily.
Description
After observing the US's UH-1 Iroqouis in service, the Soviet Military Design Bureau concluded that what was needed was a heavily armoured transport helicopter, which was also capable of providing close air support to those units after dropping them off. What Military came up with would become an icon of the Soviet Afghan War in the same way as the UH-1 was an icon of the Vietnam War. That answer was the essentially Russian Mi-24 helicopter (NATO designation "Hind"). The Mi-24 was designed to be a flying tank, able to take multiple hits and enough armament to render a tank platoon combat ineffective. The Mi-55 Locust is the updated version of the Soviet classic, every bit as armed and armoured as it's predecessor; without the vulnerabilities of the original, which was an easy kill for Stinger missles, and had a tendency to slice off it's own tail in tight turns.
Specifications
Crew: 2 Pilots
Capacity: 8 Passengers or 4 stretchers.
Behind the Scenes
When NATO assigned codenames to Soviet military equipment, the assigned codenames were based on the type of vehicle, helicopters were assigned codenames begining with "H" e.g. Mi-24 Hind, Mi-26 Halo, fighter jets were assigned codenames begining with "F" e.g. Mig-21 "Fishbed", Mig-29 "Fulcrum". The own Soviet nickname for Mi-24 was "Crocodile". Note: Russian Air Force also refers to the Mig-29 as the Fulcrum, and to Tu-95 as Bear - they like the name.
The current-issue Russian unit of this type is Mi-8MT/Mi-17 "Hip-A", with optional armament and a "bubble" cockpit. These aircraft were used by Mexican insurgents against then-Captain Mitchell in 2014.