Defense ministry to buy over 100 Ka-52 helicopters

05.09.2011 Russian defense ministry and JSC Russian Helicopters signed a delivery contract for over 100 Ka-52 helicopters, reports RIA Novosti referring to Andrei Reus, Director General of Oboronprom corporation.

According to the contract, over 100 helicopters Ka-52 will be delivered to defense ministry till 2020.

The pilot batch of Ka-52K helicopters for Mistral-class assault landing ships will be made in 2012, said managing director of helicopter-production holding Progress Yury Denisenko. Batch production will be launched in 2014.

Presently, Ka-52K helicopters pass testbed trials, reports RIA Novosti. Underway landing of Ka-52K on the deck of large ASW ship Vice Admiral Kulakov was successfully held in the Kola Bay on Sept 3.

Ka-52K are to be made by the helicopter manufacturing plant located in Arseniev, Primorsky Krai (Far East). To prepare for production, the plant has already received over RUR 3 bln, said Andrei Reus at the press conference.

Recall that helicopters Ka-52K and Ka-29 will be based on two Mistral-class landing ships; the first is supposed to join Russian Navy in 2014, and the second – in 2015. Mistral-class ship is capable to accommodate 16 heavy or about 30 light transport/assault helicopters, including six on the flight deck.

Combat helicopter Ka-52 Alligator is developed version of Ka-50 Black Shark and designed for terrain reconnaissance, targeting, and coordination of helicopter actions. Ka-52 Alligator is capable to destroy armored and non-armored weapons, troops, and air targets.

Performance characteristics of Ka-52 Alligator

Engines – 2 x 2,400 hp;
Length/height/wingspan (meters) – 14.2 x 4.9 x 7.3;
Main rotors diameter – 14.5 meters;
Takeoff weight (maximal) – 10,800 kg;
Takeoff weight (standard) – 10,400 kg;
Cruise speed – 250 kph;
Max speed – 310 kph;
Hover ceiling – 3,600 meters;
Service ceiling – 5,500 meters;
Practical range – 520 km;
Climbing ability – 10 meters per second;
Flight range – 1,200 km;
Crew – two (pilot and navigator).

Ka-52K Alligator is a ship-based version of Ka-52 equipped with blade folding mechanism. Defense ministry requested to increase engine service life of Ka-52 helicopters from 2,000-2,500 to 5,000 hours. Among other features are folded blades made of composite materials and ejection escape system.