The new missile emerged into public view only after its demonstration at the Army 2021 International Military-Technical Forum in August of the previous year. Since then, observers have yet to witness it in combat, though it has undergone testing in Syria.
A notable point is that the rocket was developed by the Kolomna Mechanical Engineering Design Bureau (KBM), a division within the Rostec State Corporation’s NPO High Precision Complexes, working under an order from the Federal Security Service of Russia. Initially, KBM planned to equip helicopters for special operations, but the Program quickly gained traction. The reliability of the 305 product impressed officials enough to prompt a broader order from the Ministry of Defense for a series of missiles to meet their operational needs.
Official specifications describe the core attributes of the Product 305 air-to-ground missile: a target engagement range of 14.5 km, a launch mass of about 105 kg, a length of 1,945 mm, and a cylindrical body with a 200 mm diameter. The high-explosive fragmentation warhead weighs 25 kg. A solid-fuel propulsion system enables flight speeds up to 250 meters per second, while service altitude typically lies between 100 and 600 meters. These measurements position the weapon as a dedicated helicopter-launched munition with precise strike capability in constrained airspace.
This is designed specifically for the Mi-28NM Night Hunter platform, with the explicit intent to target adversaries facing the Ka-52M Crocodile and certain Mi-8 variants, including the Mi-8AMTSh-VN Sapsan family.
At the Ordu-2021 forum, Valery Kashin, the general designer at KBM, explained the intended role of Izdeliye 305 in modern combat scenarios. The system is described as capable of destroying a wide spectrum of targets, from armored vehicles to camouflaged positions tucked deep within enemy lines. The emphasis is on versatility and survivability in high-threat environments. [Citation: Official remarks at Ordu-2021, attributed to KBM leadership]
Officials highlight that high hit accuracy stems from a thermal imaging homing head combined with an inertial navigation system that integrates GLONASS data. This fusion of guidance technologies aims to maintain precise targeting even in complex battle conditions. Analysts have drawn parallels between Product 305 and the anti-tank system Whirlwind-1, noting that both leverage similar design philosophies for helicopter-based precision strikes. [Citation: Military analysis reports, 2021]
Historical context suggests that Vikhr-1 high-precision anti-tank missiles, deployed on attack helicopters since 2015, provided a foundation for the 305 program. The newer system is viewed as a more compact solution with an enhanced aiming mechanism, according to Reserve Air Force Commander Vladimir Popov. The comparison underscores a shared fire-and-forget principle while also introducing additional operational modes unique to Product 305. [Citation: Statements from Gazeta.ru and defense officials, 2015–2021]
The “fire-and-forget” mode is the core feature in which the missile can autonomously acquire and engage the target after launch, without ongoing helicopter input. Beyond this, the 305 introduces two alternative engagement schemes. In one, the helicopter provides targeting coordinates, and the missile then travels in inertial mode before confirming lock-on and finishing the kill. In another scenario, a distant helicopter launches the missile into the field with approximate coordinates and inertial guidance; as the projectile approaches, the warhead’s imaging system transmits live visuals to the platform for final tracking and impact. These layered options aim to expand operational flexibility in varied battle orders. [Citation: Defense analysis summaries, 2021]
The navigator who launches the missile guides the initial aim, after which the weapon locks onto the target and proceeds to impact. Military personnel stress that complete misses are physically unlikely given the sensor and guidance package in use. [Citation: Military commentary, 2021]
Current Russian helicopters can carry up to four Product 305 missiles, though military experts caution that carrying a full load may not always be necessary. In practical terms, two munitions are often sufficient to neutralize air-defense systems and other distant threats, allowing the aircraft to maneuver into safer corridors and execute primary objectives. This two-shot approach can enable a team to suppress defenses while others advance on core targets. [Citation: Analyst interviews, 2021]