Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

Ka-50 attack helicopters is only a pilot, too much pressure in the fighting.
latest model Ka-52 attack helicopters have been side by side two-seater

2008 to the end, the Russian armed helicopter manufacturing two series of important events took place. The first is the Russian Air Force Commander Alexander Zelin announced that, through the latest test results made helicopter gunships to be assessed, will begin two new models equipped with the Russian Army Aviation – m-28N “Night Hunter” and the Ka-52 “alligators.” Soon after, in the Russian Far East “progress” aviation factory general manager said, has led to numerous acclaimed Ka-50 “Black Shark” helicopter gunships have been discontinued.

since its inception 20 years ago, Ka-50′s production schedule has been off, the Russian military has no clear its attitude. So far, the aircraft’s production, but only about a dozen aircraft: one of eight in the 334 Army Air Force combat pilot training and transfer training centers, and five did not complete assembly of the product has not yet shipped. Of course, the last five semi-Ka-50 in the future may no longer off the production line.

While many in the international air show has won the acclaim of the crowd, but in fact, “Black Shark” is now ending in the early days of its birth, has been identified. Why is there such a conclusion? The answer to this question can be said that the simple and complex. Russia’s “Independent Military Observer” recently published an article on the Ka-50 by the Russian military abandoned the analysis of the causes.

Ka-50 development work began in the late 1970s, the original project code-named V-80. According to the designer originally conceived, the aircraft’s overall performance should surpass U.S. AH-64D “Apache” helicopter gunships. In the development process, the Russian helicopter use almost all the experts the most advanced design concepts for the Ka-50 equipped with the most powerful weapons and high-precision navigation system device. In addition, it also has a high rate of climb and maneuverability, to high temperature conditions in the mountains and efficient implementation of combat missions, and have a certain air combat capability.

on overall performance, the Ka-50 is absolutely unique: the coaxial dual rotor hover layout to have excellent ability to maintain the same position in the case of fire in all directions. All important parts of its rotor has light armor for protection, against 12.7-mm rounds hit. Explosion-proof fuel tank and the original ejection seat Russian experts can significantly improve the pilot’s survival on the battlefield. In addition, the aircraft’s configuration is also very powerful weapon, in addition to the Mi-24 equipped with the same high-speed unguided rockets and machine guns, anti-tank and it can also use short-range air to air missiles (originally R-73, later replaced by equipped with infrared seeker of the “needle” type).

in 1984, “Black Shark” was eventually identified as a new generation of the former Soviet Union government helicopters the main model. Machine all the technical indicators are beyond the older Mi-24: Ka-50 has a strong firepower, all-weather flight capability that can perform reconnaissance missions, but also the effective strength of the enemy armored targets and implementation of combat. In addition, it can attack the enemy helicopters.

“Black Shark” Another advantage is that only one of its control of the driver – that is, the pilot, but also operating a variety of weapons systems. Compared with other armed helicopters, “Black Shark” will only lose a shot down pilot, only half of the former. For any kind of combat system, the person’s life is the most important.

However, this advantage while at the same Ka-50 as a major flaw – the pilot pressure is too great. Russian Army Aviation leadership did not agree with the designer of this new concept. Russian generals have said, both for domestic helicopter, or foreign equipment, helicopters, pilots and weapons control staff functions should be separate. Designers can also make a complete fighter combat missions of the reasons has not been accepted. The Russian military has been reluctant to give up their views: in their view, fighters often target command center will be on the ground or airborne early warning aircraft guidance, and the helicopter is more need to find their own goals. Although the Ka-50 in the early 1990s in the Far East difficult to put into production, and delivery units in the 1995 test, but opponents of the obstruction, its final and failed to equip the Russian Army Aviation troops. This way, Ka-50 can only be on display at international air show its excellent performance, so that military experts to understand their unique mobility and firepower. Meanwhile, the “Black Shark” is also charged with another long work – to accept the endless testing.

course, “Black Shark” has experienced real test – took part in anti-terrorist operations in Chechnya. In Chechnya, “Black Shark” outstanding performance, successfully found and destroyed several bases of terrorists. But the war for a short time. Many aviation commanders are reluctant to take this rather mysterious new equipment to take risks. Therefore, the outstanding performance of the Ka-50 Chechnya was eventually sent back to the first 334 Army Aviation combat training and pilot training center switch.

“Black Shark” of designers to no avail in the case, had to make a “step backward” option – have developed a coaxial dual-rotor uses the same layout, but there are two two-seat version of Ka-50 manipulation, that we are talking about the Ka-52 “Alligator.”

Ka-52 Ka-50 not only inherits all the advantages, but also as a group of armed helicopters, command and control aircraft coordinated action to find and assign targets.

Russia, 929 National Flight Test Center’s test pilot Colonel Vladimir Tuomi Lin received “independent military observers” as saying, Ka-52 combat missions in the implementation of mountain advantage is particularly evident when . He said that the aircraft has a very high ceiling and excellent mobility, while it also with a number of Mi-28N combat the formation of a functional system, perform a variety of attack missions. Ka-52 at the same location over time, hovering up to 12 continuous hours, around the fire to cover the area within a few kilometers. In addition, the Ka-52 serial-type double cabin to meet the helicopter in a variety of weather conditions day and night and low altitude targets on the ground to complete the assault needs. Of course, the addition of a crew so that the “alligator,” the flight performance than the “Black Shark” to be slightly lower: ceiling and the speed decreased, the maximum carrying weight reduced by 50%.

According to information provided by the Russian side, if the meter-28N eventually determined to be equipped with front air force, then the Ka-52 will be mainly used for special forces equipment. Of course, the military will not rule out the possibility of use with two kinds of helicopters.

after the news, Ka-52 from 2009 troops. According to the Russian defense procurement program, by 2012, the Russian Army Aviation will purchase at least 12 “alligators.” The Russian “Progress” plant General Manager airline has even claimed that the aircraft in production between 2011-2012 is expected to more than 20, but, there are three foreign customers have expressed a desire to purchase the aircraft.

cards -52 of the main technical indicators: maximum takeoff weight of 10,800 kg, maximum combat load capacity 1181 kg, cruising speed 270 km/h, the body 16 meters long, 4.93 m high, hanging wing diameter of 14.5 m, transition range 1160 km, the maximum flight speed of 360 km/h, powered by 2 TV3-117VMA turboshaft engines. In addition to the needs of the task with a rocket launch pods, and short range air defense missiles, the Ka-52′s main weapon is a standard AT-9 “Tornado” anti-tank missiles. AT-9 is a tube-launched anti-tank missiles, total weight 60 kg, range 8 to 10 km to supersonic flight, can penetrate 900 mm thick armor. A Ka-52 can carry 16 AT-9, mounted on both sides of the four groups of four short wings on pylons. AT-9 can also be used for air, sea and even to attack missile boats. (Spring)