Russia’s modernized Mi-28NM attack helicopter will be fitted with a new guided missile with a range of more than 25 kilometers, an aircraft industry source told TASS on Wednesday.

At the moment, the maximum range of guided missiles used by Russian combat helicopters does not exceed 15 kilometers.

"A new missile, codenamed ‘Article 305,’ is being designed for Mi-28NM. It is intended to destroy armored vehicles and reinforced concrete fortifications in daytime and at night. The range of the missile will exceed 25 kilometers," the source said, adding that one helicopter will carry up to four such missiles on each of its two pylons.

The missile will be guided by the on-board inertial navigation system. Information about the target’s location will be uploaded into the system during the launch. The helicopter, in its turn, will receive the information from its own detection systems or from the integrated troop and weapon management system.

During the final stage of its flight, the new missile will activate the homing device to locate the target in the designated area and to destroy it.

The helicopter’s crew will receive a video signal from the missile via a protected communication channel.

TASS has been unable to officially confirm the information at the time of the publication.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told the State Duma (lower house of parliament) committee on defense on March 11 that new guided missiles with increased range have been developed for Russian attack helicopters on the outcomes of the military operation in Syria. "Thanks to our experience in Syria, our helicopters have received light multifunctional guided missiles with significantly increased range - up to 15 kilometers," the minister said.