Kamov Ka-50 Black Shark Specs, Cockpit, and Price

Kamov Ka-50 Black Shark Specs, Cockpit, and Price – Kamov Ka-50 Black Shark (NATO reporting name: Hokum A) is an attack helicopter developed by Kamov Helicopters JSC, a subsidiary of Russian Helicopters. This is a high-performance attack helicopter that can operate day and night, high defensive ability and firepower to defeat air targets and armored tanks.

The Kamov Ka-50 attack helicopter was designed in 1980 and made its first flight on June 17, 1982. This helicopter entered service with the Russian Army in 1995 and was manufactured at Sazykin Aviation Company Progress based in the Arseniev Maritime Territory, Russia.

Kamov Ka-50 Black Shark Specs

The Kamov Ka-50 helicopter has a coaxial rotor design providing a 4,000 m floating ceiling and a vertical climb rate of 10 m per second at an altitude of 2,500 m. The rotor blades are made of polymer material. The coaxial rotor configuration produces moments of inertia relative to vertical and lateral axes between 1.5 to two times less than the value found in a single rotor helicopter with a tail rotor. The absence of a tail rotor allows the helicopter to make a flat rotation in the entire flight speed range. A maximum vertical g-load of 3.5 combined with a moment of low inertia gives the Ka-50 a high level of agility.

The Kamov Ka-50 is the world's first operational helicopter with a rescue ejection system, which allows pilots to escape at all heights and speeds. The K-37-800 rocket-assisted ejection system is produced by Zvezda Research and Production Enterprise Joint Stock Company in the Moscow region. Night attack version, Ka-50N equipped with Samshit-50T thermal imaging, daytime TV and laser rangefinder has been developed.

Kamov Ka-50 Black Shark Engine and Performance

The Kamov Ka-50 helicopter is powered by two TV3-117VMA turboshaf engines, where each engine can produce an output power of 2,200 hp (1,660 kW). Engines are placed on both sides of the fuselage to increase combat endurance. The helicopter also has an additional power unit (APU) for independent operation.

The Kamov Ka-50 helicopter can fly with a maximum speed of 390 km / h and a cruising speed of 270 km / h. The maximum range and ceiling of helicopter services are 1,180 km and 5,500 m, respectively. The combat radius and helicopter disk loading are 460 km and 30 kg / m², respectively. Helicopter endurance is three hours. The helicopter weighs around 7,800 kg and the maximum take-off weight is 10,800 kg.

Kamov Ka-50 Black Shark Cockpit and Avionics

The Kamov Ka-50 helicopter's cockpit is equipped with extensive armor to protect pilots against 12.7 mm armored piercing bullets and 23 mm projectile fragments. The rotor blades are rated to withstand a number of ground-based automatic weapons attacks. The cockpit is integrated with the flight system including the inertia navigation system (INS), autopilot and head-up display (HUD). Sensors include forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and radars that follow the terrain. It also comes with a radar warning receiver, electronic warfare system, and chaff and flare dispensers.

Kamov Ka-50 Black Shark Weapons

The Kamov Ka-50 helicopter can carry a variety of weapons up to a maximum load of 2 tons. The weapons used can be chosen according to missions including anti-tank missiles, unirected air rockets of various caliber, air-to-air missiles, weapons, bombs, and other weapons. This helicopter has a small wing mounted in the middle, equipped with four underwing suspension units and a wingtip antidote pod. Up to 12 Vikhr supersonic anti-tank missiles can be installed in two external stores operated by helicopters.

The Ka-50 attack helicopter is also armed with a 30 mm 2A42 fast-firing gun, which has unlimited azimuth and mounting various heights for use against air or ground targets. This gun is equipped with 460 rounds of ammunition with two types of ammunition consisting of highly fragmented and explosive incendiary bullets and bullets that pierce the armor. Pilots choose the type of ammunition in flight. Ammo weight is 0.39 kg per spin, the muzzle velocity is 980 m / s and the range is up to 4 km. The gun provides accuracy of shooting angles from two to 4 mrad.

Kamov Ka-50 Black Shark Price and Orders

The price of the Kamov Ka-50 Black Shark attack helicopter is around US $ 16 million. At the end of 2008, the Russian Air Force operated 15 Ka-50 and ten Ka-52 helicopters.

on May 30, 2008, the Indian Ministry of Defense submitted a request for a proposal (RFP) to purchase 22 Ka-50 Black Shark attack helicopters. This request requires helicopters to include weapons to improve the Indian Air Force's surveillance and combat capabilities. The second RFP was issued in June 2009 for the purchase of 384 helicopters for the Indian Air Force and Army, of which 125 were for the air force and 259 for the army.