Kamov and Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), teamed in a bid to win Turkey's $3 billion contest for 145 attack helicopters, say they will demonstrate the Ka-50-2 in Turkey within two months.
The aircraft has completed an extensive flight test programme in Russia and the companies say they are competing for the contract on "price and performance".
Kamov will be responsible for the helicopter's airframe, while IAI's Lahav division is developing avionics and the weapons delivery system.
Testing will now focus on demonstration of night mission capability, using night vision goggles and a day/night targeting system, says IAI.
The Ka-50-2 can be armed with 20mm and 30mm guns, including a rotary turret gun. It also features the VIKHR (Swirl) anti-tank missile, developed by Russia's Tula Design Bureau - a laser-guided missile designed to neutralise state-of-the-art armoured vehicles. The aircraft is also equipped with air-to-air missiles.
Competition for the contract includes Boeing with the AH-64D Longbow Apache, the Eurocopter Tiger, Agusta's A-129 Mangusta and the Bell AH-1Z King Cobra.
Source: Flight Daily News
