Kamov Ka-52 Alligator (Hokum-B)

Russia (2010)

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The Russian Helicopters Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter is an improved two-seat variant of the original single-seat Kamov Ka-50 assault system.

Detailing the development and operational history of the Kamov Ka-52 Alligator (Hokum-B) Two-Seat Armed Reconnaissance / Attack Helicopter. Entry last updated on 6/6/2018. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com

The Kamov Ka-52 "Alligator" (Hokum-B) is an upgraded form of the original Ka-50 "Hokum" attack helicopter line. While the Ka-50 utilized a single-seat cockpit, the most notable difference in the new mark is the twin-seat, side-by-side cockpit. Development of this attack helicopter began in 1994 leading to a first flight recorded on June 25th, 1997. While the Ka-52 includes a radar suite, additional crewmember, and all-new designation it more or less retains the same form and function as well as armament capabilities of the original. Additionally, the platform supports all-weather, day/night attack environments due to its various upgrades that include FLIR, TV sighting, helmet-mounted sighting, laser rangefinder, and mast-mounted radar antenna.

The Ka-52 is billed as an armed reconnaissance and combat platform able to take on the roles of assault, Close-Air Support (CAS), convoy protection, and armed patrolling. The helicopter maintains its weaponry under its short wingstub assemblies which allow for four underwing hardpoints. Onboard countermeasures, including signature reduction features, chaff/flare dispensers, and crew/critical systems armoring enhances battlefield survivability. Each pilot is also afforded K-37-800M shock-absorbing ejection seats. The twin-seat arrangement sports control redundancy meaning either pilot can manage the flight control aspects of the helicopter. The avionics suite is all-modern (complete with a high level of automation for reduced crew workloads) and the weapons suite flexible to support a broad range of weaponry. Attention has also been given to reduced maintenance and repair times by providing for better accessibility of key systems and components.

The Alligator features the Kamov helicopter trademark coaxial main rotors arrangement (2 x three-bladed systems) which eliminate the need for a countering tail rotor unit (this also increased battlefield survivability to an extent). These main rotors are driven by 2 x Klimov VK-2500 series turboshaft engines which support "hot-and-high" operations as well as cold weather service. Performance includes a maximum speed of 300 kmh with a cruising speed nearing 260 kmh. Ferry range is 1,100 kilometers with a combat radius of about 460 kilometers. Its operational service ceiling reaches 5,500 meters.

The Ka-52 carries a 30mm 2A42-1 cannon along the starboard side of its fuselage. There is limited traversal given which requires the pilots to position the entire aircraft in the direction of fire but overall accuracy is said to be better than that of a turreted chin gun seen in other modern attack helicopters. Beyond this standard installation, the wingstubs of the helicopter support Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs), rockets, rocket pods, gun pods, and cannon pods as required.

To date, the Ka-52 has only been adopted by the Russian Air Force with possible plans to feature it in the Russian Navy as well dependent upon successful procurement of a new amphibious warship / helicopter carrier. The Air Force is planning on a Ka-52 stock of 140 helicopters with the Navy adding a possible 40 more units.

April 2017 - Testing is ongoing on a maritime version of the Ka-52 attack helicopter. This version is designated as Ka-52K and has received various modifications for its intended over-water role including corrosion-resistant materials, unique rescue systems and comm suite, and crewspace ejection system. The type is intended to be operated from warships.

Picture of the Kamov Ka-52 Alligator (Hokum-B) Two-Seat Armed Reconnaissance / Attack Helicopter

Any available statistics for the Kamov Ka-52 Alligator (Hokum-B) Two-Seat Armed Reconnaissance / Attack Helicopter are showcased in the areas immediately below. Categories include basic specifications covering country-of-origin, operational status, manufacture(s) and total quantitative production. Other qualities showcased are related to structural values (namely dimensions), installed power and standard day performance figures, installed or proposed armament and mission equipment (if any), global users (from A-to-Z) and series model variants (if any).

General Assessment (BETA)

Firepower

Performance

Survivability

Versatility

Impact

Rating: 80 (of 100)
The rating is an internal assessment derived from forty factors pertaining to this entry.

Relative Maximum Speed Rating

Hi: 200mph

Lo: 100mph

This entry's maximum listed speed (186mph).

Graph average of 150 miles-per-hour.

City-to-City Ranges

NYC

LON

PAR

BER

MOS

TOK

SYD

LAX

NYC

Graph showcases the Kamov Ka-52 Alligator (Hokum-B)'s operational range (on internal fuel) when compared to distances between major cities.

Aviation Era

Useful in showcasing the era cross-over of particular aircraft/aerospace designs.

Unit Production Comparison

Comm. Market HI*: 44,000 units

Military Market HI**: 36,183 units

* Commercial Market High belongs to Cessna 172.

** Military Market High belongs to Ilyushin Il-2.

Altitude Visualization

Compare this entry against other aircraft using our Comparison Tool

Supported Mission Types:

Anti-Ship

Airborne Early Warning

VIP Travel

Origin: Russia

Year: 2010

Type: Two-Seat Armed Reconnaissance / Attack Helicopter

Manufacturer(s): Kamov / Russian Helicopters - Russia

Production: 84

Status: Active, In-Service

Global Operators:
Egypt (ordered); Russia

Historical Commitments / Honors:

Military lapel ribbon for Operation Allied Force

Military lapel ribbon for the Arab-Israeli War

Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of Britain

Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of Midway

Military lapel ribbon for the Berlin Airlift

Military lapel ribbon for the Cuban Missile Crisis

Military lapel ribbon for the Falklands War

Military lapel ribbon for the French-Indochina War

Military lapel ribbon for the Golden Age of Flight

Military lapel ribbon for the 1991 Gulf War

Military lapel ribbon for the Indo-Pak Wars

Military lapel ribbon for the Iran-Iraq War

Military lapel ribbon for the Korean War

Military lapel ribbon for the 1982 Lebanon War

Military lapel ribbon for the Malayan Emergency

Military lapel ribbon for the attack on Pearl Harbor

Military lapel ribbon for the Six Day War

Military lapel ribbon for the Soviet-Afghan War

Military lapel ribbon for the Spanish Civil War

Military lapel ribbon for the Suez Crisis

Military lapel ribbon for the Vietnam War

Military lapel ribbon for Warsaw Pact of the Cold War-era

Military lapel ribbon for the WASP (WW2)

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 1

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2

Military lapel ribbon for the Yom Kippur

* Ribbons not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns/operations.

Structural - Crew, Dimensions, and Weights:
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Kamov Ka-52 Alligator (Hokum-B) model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.

Operational
CREW

Personnel
2

Dimension
LENGTH

Feet
52.49 ft

Meters
16 m

Dimension
WIDTH

Feet
47.57 ft

Meters
14.5 m

Dimension
HEIGHT

Feet
16.17 ft

Meters
4.93 m

Weight
EMPTY

Pounds
16,976 lb

Kilograms
7,700 kg

Weight
LOADED

Pounds
23,810 lb

Kilograms
10,800 kg

Installed Power - Standard Day Performance:
2 x Klimov VK-2500 OR VK-2500P turboshaft engines developing 2,500 shaft horsepower each while driving 2 x three-bladed main rotors.

Performance
SPEED

Miles-per-Hour
186 mph

Kilometers-per-Hour
300 kph

Knots
162 kts

Performance
RANGE

Miles
684 mi

Kilometers
1,100 km

Nautical Miles
594 nm

Performance
CEILING

Feet
18,045 ft

Meters
5,500 m

Miles
3.42 mi

Supported Weapon Systems:

Graphical image of an aircrat automatic cannon

Graphical image of an aircraft air-to-surface missile

Graphical image of an aircraft anti-tank guided missile

Graphical image of an aircraft rocket pod

Armament - Hardpoints (4):

STANDARD:
1 x 30mm 2A42-1 fuselage automatic cannon (starboard side, limited traversal).

OPTIONAL:
8 x Air-to-Surface anti-tank missiles OR 4 x Rocket Pods / Cannon Pods across four underwing hardpoints.

Variants: Series Model Variants
• Ka-52 "Alligator" - Base Series Designation
• Ka-52K - Maritime attack model for shipborne operations; folding main rotor head; reinforced undercarriage; anti-corrosion coating; maritime ordnance support.