Rosoboronexport Unveils Ka-52 Alligator At Paris Air Show

Rosoboronexport and Russian Helicopters, a part of Rostec, showcased the latest Ka-52 Alligator combat helicopter at the Paris Air Show.

The helicopter made its international debut on the first day of Le Bourget with a spectacular program full of aerobatic manoeuvres that was one of the highlights of the 50th Paris Air Show.

Russian Helicopters created the Ka-52 Alligator using cutting-edge Russian aviation technologies, state-of-the-art avionics and weaponry, and composite materials, while ensuring a high degree of flight safety. The helicopter has successfully passed all of its state tests and entered serial production, and is in service with the Russian Air Force.

The Ka-52 Alligator is an all-weather, day-night combat helicopter. It is designed to destroy armoured and unarmoured ground targets, low-speed aerial targets and enemy front-line and tactical reserve troops, and to undertake reconnaissance missions and co-ordination of groups of military helicopters. The Alligator is equipped with stealth technologies and active IR and electronic jammers, and is designed to Russian and international standards for combat helicopters and their operation.

The Alligator has a twin-seat cockpit and can be controlled by either pilot. Its coaxial rotors provide advanced flight abilities and allow it to manoeuvre rapidly in tight airspace to secure a favourable attacking position.

Two VK-2500 gas turbine engines enable the helicopter to fly above 5,000 metres. It has a static ceiling of 4,000 metres, and can take off and land in hot environments and high altitudes. The Ка-52 Alligator can also be deployed in cold climates and icy conditions.

The Ka-52 Alligator is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics developed mainly by Concern Radioelectronic Technologies, also a Rostec company. The Crossbow (Russian: Arbalet) radar system can overcome military challenges at any time of day or night and in any weather conditions, including deliberate or natural radio electronic interference. Crossbow gives Ka-52 pilots a radar facility map of the local terrain, making it possible to identify and avoid hazardous wet and turbulent zones, and also to rapidly locate targets.

Radioelectronic Technologies also supplies the Alligator with Hunter (Russian: Okhotnik) series systems for laser-guided weapons and video imaging processing for missile guidance. Due to these systems, the helicopter can rapidly identify and simultaneously engage two targets, guiding Attack (Russian: Ataka) and Whirlwind (Russian: Vikhr) missiles with high accuracy. The SAU-800 autopilot system allows for manual and automatic piloting.

The Ka-52 is equipped with powerful offensive weapons that can be configured for different military missions. The rapid-fire unit NPPU-80 with 2A42 30mm gun is located on the helicopter's starboard. The large number of weapons options is supported by six mounting points for aircraft guns, missiles and rockets and various aerial bombs, as well as additional fuel tanks. The total weight of the payload is 2,000kg.

Like the Mi-24 and Mi-35M, the Alligator has been designed for outside storage.

The Alligator's other advantages include a high degree of protection for the crew, state-of-the-art automated systems that make piloting easier, and ease of ground maintenance. Powerful armoured protection and ejection seats unique fort its class make the Ka-52 Alligator one of the safest helicopters for crew, while the helmet-mounted target designation system means the helicopter can fly military missions around the clock and at any time of year, significantly reducing pilots' workload. The helicopter is equipped with satellite navigation, with colour displays in the cockpit conveying a wide range of information, including a digital map of the terrain.