Kamov Ka-50

 

kamov-ka-50

Kamov Ka-50 "Black Shark" 

The Kamov Ka-50 (NATO reporting name: "Hokum A") is a Russian single-seat attack helicopter designed for close air support, anti-armor warfare, and battlefield reconnaissance. Developed by the Kamov Design Bureau, it features a unique coaxial rotor system that eliminates the need for a tail rotor, improving agility, survivability, and operational efficiency.

Introduced in the late 1980s, the Ka-50 was one of the most advanced attack helicopters of its time, offering a high degree of automation, a powerful weapons suite, and excellent maneuverability. Later, a two-seat variant, the Ka-52 "Alligator", was developed for improved crew coordination.

Specifications preview

• Crew: 1
• Length: 16 m (52 ft 6 in)
• Height: 4.93 m (16 ft 2 in)
• Empty weight: 7,700 kg (16,976 lb)
• Gross weight: 9,800 kg (21,605 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 10,800 kg (23,810 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Klimov VK-2500 turboshaft engines, 1,800 kW (2,400 shp) each
• Main rotor diameter: 2 × 14.5 m (47 ft 7 in)
• Main rotor area: 330.3 m² (3,555 sq ft) contra-rotating 3-bladed main rotors

Performance

• Maximum speed: 315 km/h (196 mph, 170 kn)
• Cruise speed: 270 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn)
• Never exceed speed: 350 km/h (220 mph, 190 kn)
• Range: 545 km (339 mi, 294 nmi)
• Combat range: 470 km (290 mi, 250 nmi)
• Ferry range: 1,160 km (720 mi, 630 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 5,500 m (18,000 ft)
• Rate of climb: 12 m/s (2,400 ft/min)
• Disk loading: 30 kg/m² (6.1 lb/sq ft)
• Power/mass: 0.33 kW/kg (0.20 hp/lb)

Armament

• Guns: 1 × mobile semi-rigid 30 mm Shipunov 2A42 cannon (460 rounds total, dual feeding AP or HE-Frag)
• Hardpoints: 6 × under-wing hardpoints, plus 2 on wingtips for countermeasures or air-to-air missiles with a capacity of 2,000 kg, with provisions to carry combinations of:
  • Rockets: 80 × 80 mm S-8 rockets and 20 × 122 mm S-13 rocket, 4 × Igla air-to-air missiles
  • Missiles: 2 × APU-6 Missile racks, able to accommodate a total of 12 × 9K121 Vikhr anti-tank missiles, 2 × LMUR
  • Bombs: 4 × 250 kg (550 lb) bombs or 2 × 500 kg (1,100 lb) bombs,
  • Other: 23 mm UPK-23-250 gun pods (240 rounds each), 500 L (130 US gal) external fuel tanks.
• Two pods on the wingtips with flare and chaff countermeasure dispensers, 4 UV-26 dispensers each (total 32 chaff/flare cartridges in each pod)

Design & Features

1. Coaxial Rotor System

One of the most distinctive features of the Ka-50 is its coaxial contra-rotating rotor system, which provides:

• Increased maneuverability – The lack of a tail rotor allows it to execute high-G turns and quick lateral movements.
• Compact size – Without a tail rotor, the Ka-50 has a smaller footprint, making it suitable for operations in tight spaces.
• Better survivability – No tail rotor means reduced vulnerability to ground fire.

2. Single-Pilot Configuration

Unlike most attack helicopters that require a pilot and a weapons officer, the Ka-50 is designed for a single pilot. It features an advanced automated targeting and navigation system, allowing the pilot to focus on combat while onboard avionics assist in managing weapons and flight control.

3. Armor & Survivability

• The cockpit is heavily armored, including a titanium tub to protect the pilot from small arms fire and shrapnel.
• The helicopter is equipped with an ejection seat, making it one of the few helicopters in the world with this feature.
• Redundant control systems improve combat survivability in case of damage.

Weapons & Armament

ka-50-attack-helicoptar

The Ka-50 is a heavily armed attack helicopter, capable of carrying a wide range of guided and unguided weapons.

1. Fixed Armament

• 1 × 30mm Shipunov 2A42 autocannon (mounted on the starboard side with 460 rounds).
  • Selectable fire rates: Low (200–300 rpm) or High (550–800 rpm).
  • Effective against armored vehicles, ground targets, and low-flying aircraft.

2. Hardpoints (Up to 2,000 kg of ordnance)

The Ka-50 has four external hardpoints for carrying a variety of weapons, including:

• Anti-Tank Missiles:
  • 9K121 Vikhr (AT-16 "Scallion") – Laser-guided supersonic missiles capable of penetrating 900 mm of armor.
• Rockets:
  • 80mm S-8 unguided rockets – For attacking soft targets and infantry positions.
  • 122mm S-13 rockets – For destroying fortified structures.
• Air-to-Air Missiles:
  • Igla-V (SA-18 "Grouse") – Short-range heat-seeking missiles for self-defense.
• Bombs & Other Payloads:
• Can carry FAB-500 bombs, fuel tanks, or other mission-specific equipment.

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Avionics & Systems

• Radar & Optics: Equipped with a Phazotron FH-01 Millimeter-Wave Radar and FLIR thermal imaging for night and all-weather combat.
• Helmet-Mounted Display (HMD): Allows the pilot to aim weapons simply by looking at the target.
• Data Link System: Can coordinate attacks with other Ka-50/Ka-52 helicopters or ground units.
• Electronic Countermeasures (ECM): Chaff and flare dispensers to defend against enemy missiles.

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Operational History & Variants

• The Ka-50 was officially introduced in 1995, but production was limited.
• It saw limited combat service in Chechnya during the early 2000s, proving its effectiveness in mountainous terrain.
• Due to the complexity of operating a single-seat attack helicopter, the Ka-52 "Alligator" (two-seat version) was developed as its successor.

Notable Variants:

• Ka-50Sh – Night-attack version with upgraded FLIR and radar systems.
• Ka-52 "Alligator" – Two-seat variant with improved avionics and cooperative combat capabilities.

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Conclusion

The Kamov Ka-50 "Black Shark" remains one of the most unique and technologically advanced attack helicopters ever developed. Its coaxial rotor system, heavy armament, and single-pilot automation set it apart from other helicopters like the AH-64 Apache or Mi-28 Havoc.

Though it never saw large-scale production, the Ka-50 laid the groundwork for the Ka-52, which is now in active service with the Russian military. The Black Shark's legacy continues in modern attack helicopter designs, influencing rotorcraft development worldwide.