Russian Photos (updated on regular basis)

[IDA_71]

Wait...

So, if Akhtubinsk GLIC/Torzhok CBP are testing Ka-52 as an armed reconnaisance helicopter (sort of counterpart to RAH-66 Commanche) and Mi-28N as a close air support helicopter (like AH-64 Apache or AH-1 Cobra), then why the hell do they need any Ka-50?

I understand that the whole program is still work-in-progress and no stable doctrine has been developed yet, but it seems to me like Kamov plat has got their allocation of budget money and between Ka-52 and Ka-60 and some future naval helo aren't going broke, so why is MoD paying for development of 2 Kamov land-based combat helicoters?

Sounds like a giant boondoggle to me.

I think they just assembled what has left. These two Ka-50 looks like were on production stage and they have no way to do anything but get them assembled and sell to the military.

[dzhaga-dzhaga]

Too many Swifts and Russian knights these days. Almost all pics are from 23-rd March teams performance became quite boring, everything is the same. I stoped to visit Kubinka, nothing new

[Abyr]

I don't know how much of this is true, but still



http://www.warheroes.ru/hero/hero.asp?Hero_id=5625 - his biography.

[sepheronx]

Does anyone know if the intended upgrade of the Kuznetsov will allow for more aircrafts to be placed on board? Also, due to the size of the Mig-29K being smaller then SU-33, would that also allow for more aircrafts to be placed on board?

[Khathi]

Yep, the wing increase is planned, but how much -- that's not decided yet, as it depends on how much space will be freed by throwing out "Granit" launchers (and some of it will be taken back by UKSK), and how well will 29s squeeze in.

[JohnnyWalker]

Reposting an oldie here...


good for sh!ts and giggles

What the hell kind of a voice is that on the video?

[Raden5]

If I remember correctly, Kamov stoped producing Ka-50 a year or two ago and start producing Ka-52. Maybe MoD order some Ka-50 to more quickly get some helicopters to support special forces.

The fact that the helicopter has serious shortcomings, which can not be corrected.
With these shortcomings can use it in the Navy, but not as an attack helicopter in the army...
Manufacturing of helicopters for "Mistral" - is a little premature...

P.S. Generally - the project "KA-50(2)" more dead than alive.

[RomanP]

http://nnm.ru/blogs/simca77/otkuda_v...e_dyavoly/#cut

[Hyde]

The fact that the helicopter has serious shortcomings, which can not be corrected.
With these shortcomings can use it in the Navy, but not as an attack helicopter in the army...
Manufacturing of helicopters for "Mistral" - is a little premature...

P.S. Generally - the project "KA-50(2)" more dead than alive.

What kind of shortcomings? Can you elaborate?

[SmoothieX12]

What the hell kind of a voice is that on the video?

It's emulation of the legendary Russian interpreter of English-language movies at the dawn of VCR age in USSR in the end of 1970-s beginning of 1980-s, mr. Volodarsky. He had this characteristic adenoidal-constipation tone of voice which became legendary in USSR.

[Russianlynxy]

The fact that the helicopter has serious shortcomings, which can not be corrected.
With these shortcomings can use it in the Navy, but not as an attack helicopter in the army...
Manufacturing of helicopters for "Mistral" - is a little premature...

P.S. Generally - the project "KA-50(2)" more dead than alive.

Not exactly. I doubt there are any serious technological shortcomings. But too expensive, I am sure 100%. The Ka 52 is intended to be a high-technology attack, command, and heavy escort chopper, sort of like the RAH 66 Comanche was intended to be. However battlefield TODAY has little need for such a chopper, the RAH 66 was canceled all together for that reason - price/performance. We are not richer...

Also, contra-rotating propellers are great for agility not to mention they are just so damn original/cool-looking. BUT, contra-rotating craft have a much lower chance of survivability. I.e. A Mi 24 and Mi 28 can still fly or at least safely land with a rotor blade or two damaged/missing from smaller arms, but one blade put out on a Ka50/52 and the whole system goes to sh*t, forcing the pilot to eject. Not to mention the Ka 52 is much less armored than lets say a Mi 28.

Don't get me wrong, I am all for producing the Ka 52.... but the current budget does not allow for larger scale serial production, especially with the 1,000 other projects going on. And the need isn't that drastic, compared to other things. Shame, as it looks way ahead of its time than many of the other things in the Russian military :/

[Sashko]

Not exactly. I doubt there are any serious technological shortcomings. But too expensive, I am sure 100%. The Ka 52 is intended to be a high-technology attack, command, and heavy escort chopper, sort of like the RAH 66 Comanche was intended to be. However battlefield TODAY has little need for such a chopper, the RAH 66 was canceled all together for that reason - price/performance. We are not richer...

Also, contra-rotating propellers are great for agility not to mention they are just so damn original/cool-looking. BUT, contra-rotating craft have a much lower chance of survivability. I.e. A Mi 24 and Mi 28 can still fly or at least safely land with a rotor blade or two damaged/missing from smaller arms, but one blade put out on a Ka50/52 and the whole system goes to sh*t, forcing the pilot to eject. Not to mention the Ka 52 is much less armored than lets say a Mi 28.

Don't get me wrong, I am all for producing the Ka 52.... but the current budget does not allow for larger scale serial production, especially with the 1,000 other projects going on. And the need isn't that drastic, compared to other things. Shame, as it looks way ahead of its time than many of the other things in the Russian military :/

With counter-rotating blades Ka-52 eliminates the need for one of the greatest helicopter weaknesses - tail-rotors. If KA-52 is getting hit by small arms fire than the crew are doing something wrong. It's a sniper helicopter not intended to conduct strafing runs. IMHO, it is a technologically better design than mi-28 (but than again I think that Russia should move away from "rugged and simple to operate" mentality to "sophisticated and precise").

Ka-52 is a marvel and deserves at least 80-100 serial units.

[Russianlynxy]

Ka-52 is a marvel and deserves at least 80-100 serial units.

No doubt but... $$$. Where is it going to come from, especially during so called krizis.. Mi 28 is also advanced, but it is also rugged and very combat capable...

Again, I wish to see the Ka 52 as much as you do, but somewhat losing faith here

[void]

Ka-52 is more of a high tech tank-hunter imho, Mi-28 is more of a Mi-24 follow on, which is a CAS helicopter (Su-25 in helicopter form) rather than primarily a tank-hunter. Obviously that is a simplification, but thats at least how I view the two. Given the nature of likely conflicts in the near future the Mi-28 I think will be more useful, which isnt to say there isn't a place for the Ka-52.

[IDA_71]

http://nnm.ru/blogs/simca77/otkuda_v...e_dyavoly/#cut

Very nice, Roman, thanks!