RUSSIAN HELICOPTER manufacturer Kamov is carrying out integration of the Zvezda Kh-25MP (AS-12 Kegler) anti-radiation missile (ARM) with its Ka-50 Hokum single-seat attack helicopter.
A Ka-50 displayed during the MosAero show in August had its port inboard stub-wing pylon converted to carry the Kh-25MP, with the missile on stands beside the helicopter.
The Kh-25MP has traditionally been associated with aircraft such as the Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot and Su-22 Fitter.
A Ka-50 fitted with an ARM would probably be used as an escort for Hokums carrying out anti-armour missions. An ARM-equipped Ka-50 would be able to provide an organic anti-surface-to-air missile capability.
The Kh-25MP requires some discrete radar bandwidth specific homing heads, rather than a single wide-spectrum seeker such as that fitted to the British Aerospace ALARM anti-radar weapon.
The Ka-50 would also need to carry a cueing pod to provide target-acquisition data for the missile. This would probably be fitted to the inboard pylon on the starboard stub-wing.
Source: Flight International
