"To solve special problems": what is unique about the reconnaissance and attack helicopter Ka-52

On June 25, 1997, test pilot Alexander Smirnov for the first time took to the skies a prototype of the Ka-52 reconnaissance and attack helicopter, which later received the formidable name "Alligator".

This rotorcraft was destined to become one of the most common helicopters of the army aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces.

The great popularity of the Ka-52 is the result of the enormous work of the domestic industry, which, after the collapse of the USSR, had to work in difficult financial conditions.

“Ka-52 was created for a long time and not without problems.

But these efforts were not in vain.

Russia received a combat helicopter that is amazing in terms of the combination of its main characteristics.

Now, without the Alligator, it is impossible to imagine the army aviation of our country, ”said Major General Vladimir Popov, Honored Military Pilot of the Russian Federation, in a commentary on RT.

Maneuverability and security

The Alligator is a modernized two-seat version of the late Soviet Ka-50 Black Shark helicopter developed by the Kamov Design Bureau.

The car was put into service in 1995 and received high marks from the military.

The main advantages of the Ka-50 were its incredible maneuverability, efficiency at low altitudes and excellent stability.

• Ka-50 "Black Shark"

• RT

As in other Kamov devices, in the Black Shark, the designers implemented a coaxial scheme with two rotors.

It is considered technologically complex and expensive, but at the same time it significantly increases the flight capabilities of the carrier.

The revolutionary difference between the Black Shark and other Soviet helicopters was its single-seat layout.

Kamovtsy ventured on a very bold experiment, replacing the functionality of the navigator-operator with automated electronic equipment.

But in the 1990s, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, due to the difficult situation in the country's economy, decided to abandon the further implementation of the Ka-50 program and instructed the Design Bureau to create a two-seat modification of the helicopter, which later became the Ka-52.

However, part of the Black Sharks already in the Russian Air Force park continued to be operated.

According to the Ministry of Defense, Ka-50s were used in the counter-terrorist operation in Chechnya in 2000-2001 and successfully completed the assigned tasks.

Having received a double cabin, the car became very heavy.

To reduce its mass, the designers changed the geometry of the forward fuselage and installed improved engines and avionics.

The development of the future Ka-52 continued until 2006.

Serial production of the Alligator started in 2008 at the Progress plant in Primorsky Krai, and three years later the helicopter was officially put into service.

"Alligator" is considered one of the most advanced combat vehicles in its class.

He is able to quickly maneuver in a limited space to take advantage of the attacking position, perform complex aerobatics and conduct dogfights at low altitudes.

The maximum takeoff weight of the Ka-52 is 11.3 tons, the fuselage length is 13.8 m, the cruising speed is 250 km/h, the practical range is 455 km, the rate of climb is 960 m per minute, and the combat load is 2 tons.

As reported in the materials of Rostec, when creating the Alligator, the most advanced technologies of the Russian aircraft industry were used.

In particular, the latest developments in avionics, armament, in the field of composites and flight safety were implemented in the car.

The helicopter is designed to destroy armored vehicles, infantry, low-speed air targets at the forefront and in the tactical depth of the theater of operations.

The Alligator is also capable of conducting reconnaissance and controlling a group of combat attack helicopters.

• Combat work "Alligator"

• © Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

“A distinctive feature of the Ka-52 is the ability to use it to solve special tasks, which include the issuance of information about the tactical situation in the combat area, laser illumination of targets for interacting special forces, the organization of communications and the transmission of intelligence information at any time of the day,” the statement says. materials of the Ministry of Defense.

The Ka-52 is equipped with two VK-2500 gas turbine engines.

These power units were created to replace the Soviet TV-117.

The manufacturer's website (the St. Petersburg enterprise JSC UEC-Klimov) says that the VK-2500 improves the maneuverability of the carrier, increases its speed and payload.

The creators of this power unit paid much attention to safety issues.

The engine has an emergency power mode of 2700 liters.

with., which allows the crew to pilot the helicopter in case of failure of one of the units.

In addition, the VK-2500 has no restrictions on the geography of operation.

The creators of the Ka-52 took care of the avionics of the helicopter.

The Alligator received the Arbalet radar complex, which is responsible for searching for targets and general control of the air situation.

Thanks to this complex, the Alligator is able to quickly find targets to hit and avoid dangerous weather formations.

"Crossbow" can accompany up to 20 targets, and the tank is detected at a distance of 12 km, an attack aircraft - at 15 km, a MANPADS missile - at 5 km, power lines - at 500 m.

In addition to the radar complex, the Ka-52 is equipped with optical, infrared and television equipment to monitor the surrounding space, and pilots can use helmet-mounted microdisplays and night vision goggles.

Another important element of the Ka-52 onboard equipment is a laser-beam guidance system for guided weapons and a video image processing complex.

The Alligator's arsenal includes a very extensive range of weapons: a 30-mm 2A42 cannon with 460 rounds, various types of aerial bombs, guided and unguided rockets.

“A large number of weapon options is achieved due to six suspension points, on which aircraft cannons, guided and unguided missiles, aircraft bombs of various calibers, as well as additional fuel tanks can be installed,” the Rostec website says.

• "Alligators" during a special operation of the RF Armed Forces

• RIA News

According to experts, the Ka-52 uses the Vikhr-1 guided missile to hit targets at considerable distances.

Its maximum range is 8 thousand meters. The missile is designed to destroy ground-based maneuverable armored vehicles equipped with dynamic protection units and medium-speed air targets (helicopters, attack aircraft, UAVs).

The armor penetration of the projectile behind the dynamic protection is 750 mm.

Another advantage of the Alligator is the high security of the crew.

The helicopter received powerful armor protection and modern ejection seats.

Also, the helmet-mounted target designation and indication system makes the flight of the machine safer.

This device provides round-the-clock and all-weather piloting and the use of weapons, significantly removing the burden from the pilots.

"Difficult Exam"

The Ka-52 received its baptism of fire in Syria, providing fire support to government troops who liberated the country from illegal armed groups, including IS*.

In recent years, the Russian industry has been modernizing the Ka-52, taking into account the Syrian experience.

To date, there is little detailed information about the work on updating the helicopter.

But, according to experts, the improvement affects avionics and strike weapons.

Recently, the Alligator's arsenal was replenished with a high-precision missile under the code "Product 305" with a range of 14.5 km.

For the first time, it was presented to the general public at the Army-2021 international military-technical forum.

An important advantage of the "Product 305" is the "fire and forget" principle, when the missile itself captures the target and the crew does not need to accompany it.

On June 20, RIA Novosti reported that "Product 305" was used during a special operation in Ukraine.

From the data of the Russian Ministry of Defense it follows that the "Alligators" are quite actively involved in hostilities in Ukraine.

They often take to the skies together with the Mi-28NM Night Hunter reconnaissance and attack helicopters and the Mi-8AMTSh Terminator transport and assault helicopters.

“Rotorcraft of the latest generation Ka-52 are successfully used in the course of a special military operation of the RF Armed Forces to suppress the strongholds of units, destroy accumulations of manpower and military equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” the military department notes.

In an interview with RT, an aviation expert, columnist for Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine Dmitry Drozdenko drew attention to the fact that Ka-52s are regularly used in Ukraine at night.

“The Ka-52 passes a difficult test in Ukraine, primarily because of the saturation of MANPADS, which was not the case in Syria.

Night naturally increases the stealth of the Alligators.

Yes, it is harder not only for the enemy, but also for the pilots.

However, apparently, they are coping with the tasks set,” Drozdenko noted.

• Footage of combat work of Ka-52 attack helicopters during a special operation

Vladimir Popov is also sure that the Ka-52 crews are making a serious contribution to the destruction of enemy troops and the military infrastructure of Ukraine.

“The Armed Forces of Ukraine are a serious, well-armed enemy, therefore, in a certain sense, the special operation made it possible to reveal the potential of the Alligators.

These machines demonstrated amazing maneuverability, survivability and high combat qualities, ”Popov summed up.

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