Russian Attack Helicopter Ka-50 (Hokum) "Black Shark"

 
Name  Ka-50 Hokum 
Type  Attack helicopter 
Year  1982 
Engine  2 x TV3-117VMA turboshaft, 2x2200 hrs.pwr. 
Wingspan  7.34 m 
Length  15.6 m (rotors turning) 
Height  4.9 m 
Rotor Diameter  4.9 m 
Weight  9800 kg/10800 kg 
Max. speed  350 km/h 
Operational Range  450 km 
Ferry Range  1100 km 
Crew  1 
Armament  1 x 30 mm gun 2A42 (500 rds), 
12 x Antitank missiles AT-9, 
80 x 80mm or 20 x 122mm Rockets 
AS-10 Anti-radar missiles, 
UPK-23-250 Gun pod, 
GUV-8700 Machine-gun pod 

The Ka-50 is the world's first single-seat close support helicopter. The first flight took place on 27 July 1982, but it was 1989 before a photograph of the new design was available for publication in the West. By then a competitor, the Mil-28 was flying, but competitive evaluation of the two designs led to the Ka-50 emerging as victor.

Protected by some 350Kg (159lbs.) of armor to counter enemy fire up to 20mm, the Ka-50 retains Kamov's trademark coaxial contra-rotating three blade main rotor. Heat suppressors cut the exhaust plume from each of the widely spaced TV3-117VK turboshafts, and the pilot sits in a double-wall steel cockpit behind bulletproof flat-screen glazing. Should the pilot have to make an emergency exit, the K-37 ejection system would see the main rotor blades and cockpit roof discarded by means of explosive separation. The pilot's seat would then be dragged upwards and out by means of a rocket pack.

Unlike its Western counterparts, the Ka-50 relies on other aircraft to locate and designate targets, the logic being that this reduces the helicopter's vulnerability to attack by minimizing its exposure. The single-barrel 30mm gun is mounted on the starboard side of the fuselage and can be traversed through a +5-6 degree in azimuth and -30 degree in elevation. Pods at each wing-tip house ECM equipment and chaff/flare dispensers.

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