Modern-Aviation

The Ka-52 Alligator is a two-seat Russian attack helicopter powered by two VK-2500 turbo-shaft engines (2,400hp each). The powerful engines allows the helicopter to fly at altitudes over 5,000m (16,404ft). It can take-off and land in hot and high conditions as well as in extremely cold and icy conditions.

The Ka-52, designated Alligator, multi-role all-weather combat helicopter, is intended for this purpose as a two-seat modification of the Ka-50 combat helicopter. Pilots accommodated side-by-side in one cockpit can fly this helicopter and handle all on-board systems. The Alligator retained all combat capabilities of its predecessor, including the whole array of weaponry. It is outfitted with a multifunctional on-board integrated electronic flight, navigation and weapon control system. Its passive/active observation/search and sighting systems ensure target search and their attack day/night in any weather conditions. The Sextant Avionic of France and Thomson company take part in creation of this helicopter. The Ka-52 Alligator is 85 percent identical to the Ka-50 base helicopter in terms of its airframe and main systems. Pilots escape via an ejection system. The Ka-52 Alligator can also be used as a trainer. Pilot accommodation and the availability of new multifunctional equipment system led to an increase in the weight of the empty helicopter and a certain deterioration in flight performance, compared to the Ka-50. However, it did not affect the integrated quality of this flying machine as a whole.

Externally, the Ka-52 combat helicopter differs from its predecessor in the front part of the fuselage, shape of the cockpit and arrangement of round-the-clock observation/search and sighting systems. Pilots are rigged with pressurized helmets fitted with built-in displays to provide for required flight and sighting data. The Ka-50 and Ka-52 helicopters feature interchangeability, thereby reducing costs for series production and joint operation in combat units.

Naturally, Alligator is more expensive than Black Shark. However, this is attributable to payments for the capability to perform combat missions on higher and more efficient levels. The advent of Ka-52 does not mean its automatic substitution by the Ka-50. They can be used more effectively in the interests of the ground forces, owing to their optimal joint employment in groupings. A similar approach is also adopted by the U.S. army aviation. The more costly and sophisticated AN-64D and AN-64D LongBoy helicopter versions do not replace, but instead reinforce the AN-64A Apache helicopter groupings, thereby increasing their efficiency.

In the near future the Ka-52 will be subjected to tests. The Kamov company and its foreign partners are convinced of the successful results of the tests that will enable the Ka-52 helicopter to occupy a leading position in its class. It is up to foreign buyers to decide whether to choose the Ka-50 or the Ka-52 or a hybrid to meet their requirements. Coaxial-type Ka-52 helicopter differs from its predecessor by a wider nose part and twin-seat crew cockpit where the pilot ejection seats are arranged side-by-side. Both pilots have full controls of the helicopter without any limitations. The pilot cockpit is armored. The helicopter can be used as a trainer. High flying qualities of the coaxial helicopter combined with unique manoeuvrability allow the helicopter to perform combat maneuvers within the minimum air area and the shortest time to gain an advantageous attack position.

Numerous weapons options for the helicopter are achieved by arranging a movable high-speed firing gun starboard of the helicopter, and by six available external wing stores with different combination of anti-tank missiles, rockets, "air-to-air" missiles, gun ammunition of a container type and bombs of various caliber. From the point of view of the weapons power the "Alligator" is comparable with the "Black Shark" helicopter and is superior to all existing combat helicopters.

AVIONICS
Integrated by Sextant Avionique, supplier of head-down displays, the Navigation and Attack System for Helicopters (NASH), Topowl helmet-mounted sight display, Nadir 10 navigation system.
Radar: Phazotron FH-01 Arbalet MMW radar installed in mast-mounted dome.
Flight: Nadir 10 nav system with Stratus laser gyro AHRS and Doppler radar.
Instrumentation: Arsenal Shchel-V helmet-mounted sight for weapons operator.
Mission: Samshit-E weapons control system above and behind the second cockpit, with TV, FLIR and laser range-finder and target designator. Thomson-CSF FLIR (or optional Russian Khod FLIR) integrated with Shkval electro-optical (TV) sighting system in ball above fuselage aft of canopy. Smaller ball for optical sight under fuselage. Windows for laser range-finder and IR camera in nose turret.
Self-defence: Active IR and electronic jamming units; UV-26 flare/chaff dispensers in wingtip fairings. Warning equipment includes Pastel (L150) RWR, Mak (L136) IR and Otklik (L140) laser system.