Alex Velovich/MOSCOWJulian Moxon/PARIS
French manufacturers have supplied key avionics items for a new export version of the Kamov Ka-50 Hokum attack helicopter.
The Russian helicopter builder is preparing for the first flight of the Alligator two-seat all-weather/ night-attack derivative of the Hokum. The helicopter is believed to be aimed primarily at an Indian defence requirement.
The design bureau intends to unveil the side-by-side twin-seat Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter at the Bangalore air show, to be held in India starting on 3 December. According to Sergey Mikheyev, chief designer at Kamov, the Ka-52 has 85% parts commonality with the single-seat Ka-50.
Sextant Avionique is acting as the avionics systems integrator on the programme. This covers equipping the Ka-52 with a Thomson-CSF forward-looking infra-red, as well as supplying its own head-down display system, navigation and attack system, helmet-mounted displays, image intensifiers and a global-positioning-system receiver.It is one of several Russian aviation programmes to which France is now contributing.
The Ka-52's Samshit-E weapons control system includes TV, laser, and radar components in four sensor installations: chin-mounted; under the fuselage; on top of the fuselage between the engines; and in a ball on top of the co-axial rotor. The last, millimetre-wave radar, is to be installed later.
Mikheyev says that the Alligator - the nickname arose because of its flat nose - could be employed as a lead aircraft in a mixed formation. The Ka-52 would be used to detect targets and then hand them off to single-seat Ka-50s. Both Ka-52 crewmembers have full flight controls, but one normally acts as a weapons systems officer or helicopter group commander.
The twin-seat configuration downgrades the flight performance, but to "an acceptable extent", according to Mikheyev. With 10,400kg take-off weight the Alligator has an 11,500ft (3,500m) service ceiling, compared to 13,000ft of the Ka-50, while the maximum acceleration is reduced from 3.5 to 3G. The maximum speed in horizontal flight is 167kt (310km/h) and not-to exceed speed in a shallow dive 189kt.
Mikheyev says that the Ka-52 is ready for first flight, but this is being postponed until possibly early in 1997 as the helicopter is being exhibited at Bangalore. International marketing of the Ka-50/52 will be the responsibility of VPK MAPO, which Kamov joined earlier this year. VPK MAPO is using its own resources for the Ka-52 development. Kamov officials say that the Ka-52 could enter series production at the Arsenyev Progress plant as early as 1997.
Source: Flight International
