Ka-52
Contents
Description
The Ka-52 is a rank VII Soviet attack helicopter with a battle rating of 11.0 (AB), 12.0 (RB), and 10.7 (SB). It was introduced in Update 1.97 "Viking Fury".
General info
Flight performance
| Characteristics | Max Speed (km/h at 1,000 m) |
Max altitude (metres) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AB | RB | ||
| Stock | 315 | 289 | 5400 |
| Upgraded | 320 | 310 | |
Survivability and armour
- Bullet proof glass covers only the front windscreen of the helicopter - 44 mm thick.
- Aluminium alloy covers only the sides of the helicopter located on each side of the cockpit - 20 mm thick.
- Aluminium alloy covers only the bottom of the self-sealing fuel tanks - 20 mm thick.
The helicopter has four separate fuel tanks, three at the rear of the fuselage and one just behind the cockpit. Engines are placed above the auto-cannon with the fuel tanks, spaced out around it.
Modifications and economy
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Armaments
Offensive armament
The Ka-52 is armed with:
- 1 x 30 mm 2A42 cannon, right fuselage-mounted (460 rpg)
The 30mm 2A42 cannon can be equipped with mixed belt, belt for air targets or ground targets
- Default belt: AP-T/HEF-I/HEF-I/AP-T/AP-T; max penetration: 62 mm at 100 metres
- Ground targets belt: AP-T/APDS/APDS/APDS/APDS; max penetration: 81 mm at 100 metres
- Air targets belt: HEF-T/HEF-I/HEF-I/HEF-I/HEF-I; max penetration: 3 mm at any distance.
Suspended armament
The Ka-52 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
- Without load
- 80 x S-8KO rockets
- 20 x S-13DF rockets
- 4 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (1,000 kg total)
- 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-54 bombs (1,000 kg total)
- 4 x 23 mm GSh-23-2 cannons (250 rpg = 1,000 total)
- 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 80 x S-8KO rockets
- 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 20 x S-13DF rockets
- 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 12 x 9M120M Ataka missiles
- 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 12 x 9K127 Vikhr missiles
- 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 4 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (1,000 kg total)
- 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-54 bombs (1,000 kg total)
- 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 4 x 23 mm GSh-23-2 cannons
- 12 x 9M120M Ataka missiles + 40 x S-8KO rockets
- 12 x 9M120M Ataka missiles + 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 40 x S-8KO rockets
- 12 x 9M120M Ataka missiles + 10 x S-13DF rockets
- 12 x 9M120M Ataka missiles + 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 10 x S-13DF rockets
- 12 x 9M120M Ataka missiles + 2 x 23 mm GSh-23-2 cannons
- 12 x 9M120M Ataka missiles + 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 2 x 23 mm GSh-23-2 cannons
- 12 x 9K127 Vikhr missiles + 40 x S-8KO rockets
- 12 x 9K127 Vikhr missiles + 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 40 x S-8KO rockets
- 12 x 9K127 Vikhr missiles + 2 x 23 mm GSh-23-2 cannons
- 12 x 9K127 Vikhr missiles + 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 2 x 23 mm GSh-23-2 cannons
- 12 x 9K127 Vikhr missiles + 10 x S-13DF rockets
- 12 x 9K127 Vikhr missiles + 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 10 x S-13DF rockets
Defensive systems
The Ka-52 has a HIRSS - hover infrared suppressor subsystem, a MAW - Missile Approach Warning system and 128 Flares
- 128 Flares are installed on tips of the wings, in those two pods.
- The HIRSS is a shield that hides the heat from the exhaust, reducing the possibility of successfully locking on with a Heat-seeking missile.
- The Missile Approach Warning (MAW) detects the incoming missile and notifies you about them as well deploying the flares automatically.
Usage in battles
The KA-52 is a true demonic gladiator of the sky, when it comes to helicopters, it excel's in any type of combat scenario. It can be equipped with a combination of rockets, bombs and missiles, it has 24 different armament load outs. The KA-52, excels at air-to-air & air-to-ground combat. It's two almighty Kilmov TV3-117VMA, each providing 2350 BHP, 210 KGF of thrust - makes this 10,400 kg elephant dance in the sky, like a ballerina dancing on a cloud.
The KA-52 has a 25% more wing capability, which mean's each wing can carry 25% more wing mounted ordinance. When compared, to any other helicopter in the game. The Ka-52 has six wing hard points, three hard points on each wing.
Air to Air
Ka-52 Vs. Helicopters
The Ka-52 in helicopter to helicopter combat requires, tactics and understanding of the enemy helicopters which it can encounter in battle. If no tactics are used, the KA-52 will become a RP & SL Piñata for the enemy team.
Using the 2A42 Auto-cannon:
A Ka-52 can dominate the sky, if played well. A Ka-52 is still equipped with it's legendary 2A42 Auto-cannon the same cannon installed on the Ka-50 and BMP-2's This auto cannon, is able to fire, same type of ammunition as fired on the BMP-2. The 2A42 Auto-cannon is able to destroy, pillboxes, tanks, helicopters and jets with ease.
It's externally important, to keep the agility high, the KA-52 can achieve this easily, point the noise of the helicopter towards the enemy unit. However, make sure to adjust for the location of the auto-cannon, it is not mounted below or the wings but instead on the right hand side of the fuselage. The 2A42 Auto-cannon only has a limited transverse of 30 degrees and not a full transverse as on the previous line of Mi-24's.
To get the best bullet to knockout ratio, since the KA-52 only has 460 rounds of ammunition.
Always aim for the critical elements of the rival helicopter which are:
- Flight deck
- Engine
- Tail
- This is important because it allows, ammunition to be conserved which in turns - allows for more enemies to be knocked out and more RP & SL's earned during the game.
Using the ATGM & air-to-air missiles to terminate enemy helicopters
At first when unlocking the iconic, lethal & legendary 9k121 vikhr missiles which have made the Ka-50 a prominent & terrifying experience to be fighting against. 9M120M Ataka Bean riding missiles are used before, these are the same missiles which are used on the 'Mi-35M' and Mi-28N offer up to 950mm penetration .
To get the best chance of having them hit the target, position the Ka-52 well, keep enough space in the gunner's field of view rectangle for any adjustments which may have to be made. Unlike the Ka-50, the Ka-52 has a smaller rectangle which makes for tracking the target alot harder if it is moving. This will require the Ka-52 to be adjusted in flight, which can cause the missiles to overshoot or miss due to the corrective actions.
Using the 9M120M Ataka missiles:
The 9M120M Ataka missiles travel at 550 meters a second, they are not as fast nor do they have a proximity fuse as the 9k121 vikhr missiles:. The 9M120M Ataka missiles requires a direct hit on the enemy, it is best to manoeuvre the KA-52 into a position where the enemy helicopter is fully exposed and as close as possible around 5 to 8 Km. Make sure it is the middle of the gunner's field of view rectangle for the tracking to follow it, when it has been fired.
A main challenge of using the 9M120M Ataka missile: is, if the helicopter has been engaged head-on at distance, the enemy player only has to dodge it. This exposes your position and allows the enemy to fire back at you, possibly knocking you out of the match. Unlike the 9k121 vikhr missiles which have a proximity fuse.
Using the 9k121 vikhr missiles:
The lethal & legendary 9k121 vikhr missiles only needs to be in proximity to an enemy helicopter unlike the 9M120M Ataka missiles which must hit the target, for it to terminate it. When using a 9k121 vikhr missile it is possible to lock them on, lock them on and manually control it, adjusting it for any correction or evasion tactics which are in play, to hit the target. Finally manually controlling it without locking on to the enemy vehicle, which would provide no warning to them allowing them to be unaware of it, until it is to late.
Unlike the challenge with 9M120M Ataka missile the 9k121 vikhr missiles are able to knock enemy helicopters out from the front even if they try to evade, as-long as it is close to them, it will explode either causing them to explode or scoring a critical hit.
Using the 9M39 Igla missiles:
The Ka-52 carries up to four 9M39 Igla missiles, on top of it's 12 9M120M Ataka missile or 9M120M Ataka missiles payloads. Each 9M39 Igla missiles is able to destroy one enemy helicopter with ease. The 9M39 Igla missiles are one of the fastest and most lethal air-to-air missiles in this game, it's top speed of mach 1.7 and a max range of 5 Km, with ECCM. It is able to down any enemy helicopter which it encounters, if the rival is a skilled a player and uses flares. It could miss. The best postilion, to launch the 9M39 Igla missile is either when they have exposed their broadside or from the rear. It is possible to fire it head-on, but if they use flares it will reduce the odds of it hitting in this combat scenario.
Ka-52 Vs. Fighters
A Ka-52 is equipped with up to four 9M39 Igla missiles, these are able to destroy any enemy air contact. whether that be fixed-wing or rotary-wing aircraft. The ideal firing solution is to have the enemy aircraft approaching you head-on. This allows the Ka-52 to quickly lock the target, once fired to see that aircraft going down on fire towards the deck. If the enemy has fired, the enemy missile can be evaded easily.
If an enemy aircraft has locked on and has fired on you, fire flares and descend the Ka-52 rapidly to the deck and pull up sharply. Once you have pulled up, lock on to the enemy aircraft and fire. The 9M39 Igla missile will track and destroy it. In the event that the enemy aircraft evades it, the aircraft will either break-off the attack and find a new target. Or it will come back around and try again, employ the same tactics, you have up to four 9M39 Igla missiles.
Air to Ground
Ka-52 Vs. SPAA
Engaging at long range:
The first target, which should be knocked out is the enemy SPAA, switch to thermals and profile the enemy vehicles for any SPAA. When located, fire one of your ATGM's and glide it on target until it hit's and destroys it.
Defeating/Evading the missile:
The enemy SPAA, has spotted and fired on you, deploy flairs and drop to the deck fly 20 meters above the ground, and the enemy missiles which have just been fired, will be unable to use the proximity fuse to knock you out.
Engaging at close range:
Using the autocannon, a few well placed shots, in the turret of the SPAA will destroy it. Using the rockets from the rocket pods, a couple of hits will knock it out. However, a single well placed hit to the turret will knock it out in one blow.
Ka-52 Vs. Tanks
Engaging tanks, if engaging from the front it is best to assume that you will need to fire two ATGM's to knock it out - since the ERA plates and armour will reduce the explosive energy of your missiles. However, if the enemy tank is being engaged from the side, a single well place shot just in front of the engine and behind the turret will see it exploding like a magical firework on the legendary St. Petersburg victory day celebration.
Additionally the autocannon, is able to destroy the enemy tankers too! To best utilise this, approach from the rear, line up with the engine deck of the tank and set it on fire, that will force them to stop. However, do not leave them or stop firing, instead fly around them in a circle with the autocannon firing, aim for the roof of the turret, the rounds will be able to penetrate it and knock out the crew.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Highly agile, a true multi-role helicopter.
- Good level of armour protection around the flight deck.
- Very fast up to 320 km/h Vs. AH-64D Apache 295 km/h
- Is able to carry the lethal 9K127 Vikhr missiles.
- Six hard points. Thus allowing for 25% more weapons per wing to be carried over any other helicopter.
- Has the same auto cannon as found on the BMP-2.
- 30 mm cannon with AP belt can penetrate up to 82mm of armour, meaning it can go through the roofs of most vehicles.
Cons:
- Small area for locking on with the Air to Air missiles.
- Small area for the gunner field of view, compared to KA-50: Black Shark.
- Auto cannon is mounted on the right-hand side of the helicopter.
- Limited auto cannon firing arcs - Horizontal and Vertical angles.
History
Design Basis: Ka-50
Development
While the V-80 prototype (which would later become the Ka-50 "Black Shark") and Mi-28 attack helicopters were going through comparative tests, an idea for a dedicated battlefield reconnaissance and target designation helicopter was raised by the Kamov design team. Because of the Soviet economic downturn of the 1980's, it was decided to base the new helicopter on the Ka-50 attack helicopter. The new reconnaissance and target designation equipment required the addition of a second crew member, who would operate the new systems. A side-by-side seating arrangement was chosen in order to facilitate co-operation of the two crew members. This new helicopter was designated as the Ka-52 and it was given the name "Alligator".
Design
The Ka-52 features two radar antennas, rather than one like on the Ka-50. One is mounted in the nose - for ground targets - and one is mounted on a mast - for aerial targets. It also has two TV sighting systems; one under the nose and one above the cockpit. The Ka-52 has the same side-mounted cannons as on the Ka-50. It has six wing hardpoints, two more than the Ka-50. To reduce weight, the Ka-52s armor and cannon ammunition was reduced. Despite these measures, some performance was lost. To rectify this issue, the VK-2500 powerplant was fitted. The Ka-52 is approved for day, night, and adverse weather conditions.
Production and Testing
Construction of the first Ka-52 airframe began in 1996. Phase 1 of the testing was completed in December 2008, and phase 2 was authorized soon after. By the end of 2008, serial production had begun at the Progress Arsenyev Aviation Company plant in Arsenyev, Primorsky Krai. In 2010, eight Ka-52 helicopters were operated by the 696th Instructor and Research Helicopter Regiment, based at Torzhok Air Base. The eight helicopters were in varying states of capability and were used for testing purposes. Four more Ka-52 helicopters were delivered to the 44th Centre for Combat Training and Aircrew Conversion in December of 2010.
The Ka-52 entered service in May 2011 after completing all of the state trials; the first operational units received their Ka-52s in the same month. The first production contract was for 2 experimental Ka-52s and 24 serial Ka-52s by 2012. In 2011 the second contract was signed, worth 120 million rubles, for 146 Ka-52 helicopters by 2020. In February 2018, the Russian Defense Ministry expressed its desire to purchase 114 new Ka-52s for the State Armament Program for 2018–2027.
Service
The only major operational usage of the Ka-52 "Alligator" was during the Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War (2015). They were claimed to be used in the defense of the Russian base in Latakia. They were also used to escort search and rescue helicopters and to support Russian special forces. Theye were spotted for the first time near the town of Al-Qaryatayn, which had been recaptured from ISIS in April 2016. They were also used in the 2017 Palmyra offensive. Ka-52s took part in a Syrian paratrooper reconnaissance-strike mission on 12 August 2017.
According to some sources, a Ka-52 crashed near Mayadin due to a technical failure on 5 May 2018.
Media
See also
- Ka-50 - The Soviet attack helicopter used as the basis for the Ka-52.
- AH-64D - An American attack helicopter at the same BR.
- EC-665 Tiger UHT - A German attack helicopter at the same BR.
- AH Mk.1 - A British attack helicopter at the same BR.
- EC-665 Tiger HAD - A French attack helicopter at the same BR.
External links
- [Wikipedia] Ka-52 "Alligator"
- [Air Force Technology] Ka-52 Alligator Attack Helicopter
- [Naval Technology] Kamov Ka-52 Alligator Helicopter
- [Military-Today] Kamov Ka-52
- [MilitaryFactory] Kamov Ka-52 Alligator (Hokum-B)
| Kamov Design Bureau | |
|---|---|
| Attack | Ka-29 · Ka-50 · Ka-52 |
| USSR helicopters | |
|---|---|
| Attack | |
| Hound | Mi-4AV |
| Hip | Mi-8AMTSh · Mi-8AMTSh-VN · Mi-8TV |
| Hind | Mi-24A · ▂Mi-24D · Mi-24P · Mi-24V · Mi-35M |
| Havoc | Mi-28N · Mi-28NM |
| Helix | Ka-29 |
| Hokum | Ka-50 · Ka-52 |
