Ka-52M Super Alligator - Program
The Russian Air Force initially placed an order for 114 Ka-52M helicopters in 2020. The upgraded Ka-52M took off for the first time in August 2020. "Alligators" had been entering the army since 2011, they are produced at the Progress airline in the city of Arsenyev.
The need for modernization was recognized in Russia itself. One of the problems was clearly visible to everyone: it is archaic air-to-surface weapons. This, in particular, is an anti-tank missile of the Ataka complex with a maximum range of about six kilometers and a radio command guidance system. Such a complex can not always provide effective destruction of targets in difficult combat conditions. It can be said simply: it is outdated.
In 2017, a photo appeared online of the "Syrian" Ka-52, armed with the anti-tank guided missile "Whirlwind-1". Such a complex, of course, is better than “Attack”, but it was good in the 1980s, when it was developed. Now that the United States is switching to the AGM-179 JAGM ATGM with the implementation of the “fire-and-forget” principle, the missile that needs to be guided by the laser beam can hardly be called modern. In difficult combat conditions, this is not only a big load on the crew, but also a significant risk for the helicopter to be shot down, since until the moment the target is hit, the machine cannot perform sharp maneuvers without fear of disrupting the capture. By the way, this once again demonstrates how "strange" the Ka-50 concept was, using these same "Whirlwinds".
The experimental design work on upgrading Ka-52 helicopters took the Syrian experience into account: the gunship would get new electric power supply and target detection systems, enhanced protection and a longer range of detecting and identifying ground and air targets, which would boost the range of employing its armament. The upgraded Ka-52M helicopter would have much greater capabilities to engage ground and air targets than the basic version.
In 2018, Defense Blog reported that Egypt's military was unhappy with export Ka-52 and wanted to buy more Apaches. “The new Ka-52 has technical problems with the power plant, avionics, navigation systems and night vision systems. In hot climatic conditions, the Ka-52 engine significantly loses power in different flight modes,” Defense Blog wrote. There was an alternative assessment - according to the Egyptian general Tarek Saad Zaglyul, the Russian machine was not inferior to the Apache.
The fact that Russian Helicopters will create a modernized version of the Ka-52 was announced in May 2019 by Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko. According to him, the updated equipment will acquire new power supply and target detection systems, as well as improved protection. “We will not reveal all the secrets. The power supply system, optoelectronic systems associated with an increase in the range of detection and recognition of targets, an increase in the possibility of using weapons in work both on the ground and in the air are being updated in the car, ”Andrey Boginsky, General Director of the Russian Helicopters holding, said then.
As Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Alexei Krivoruchko said in May 2019, in 2020 the military department is going to conclude a contract with the Russian Helicopters for the supply of 114 Ka-52M helicopters. The head of Russian Helicopters Andrei Boginsky then in turn specified that the Syrian experience is taken into account when developing the machine, the helicopter would receive new target detection and recognition systems, and the range of its weapons would increase. By means of destruction Ka-52M, the general director of the holding noted, would be unified with helicopters of the Mi family. Compared to the Ka-52 helicopter security would increase.
The upgraded gunship prototype performed its debut flight on 10 August 2020. "The production’s large-scale modernization and retooling under the federal target program helped considerably expand the technical possibilities of the Progress Arsenyev Aircraft Company and switch to the output of improved and more reliable combat hardware - upgraded Ka-52 helicopters for the Russian Armed Forces," Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said.
Russian Helicopters Group CEO Andrei Boginsky said that the helicopter manufacturer had started the experimental design work on the Ka-52’s upgrade on order from Russia’s defense minister in 2019, taking into account its combat employment. "The Ka-52M’s missile armament has been standardized with the armament of another latest Mi-28NM helicopter, which has made it possible to considerably increase the range of striking targets," the chief executive said.
The Russian Helicopters holding (part of the Rostec state corporation) had assembled the first two prototypes of the modernized Ka-52M Alligator helicopters, the first deliveries of serial machines may begin as early as 2022. This was reported to journalists in the holding's press service 11 February 2021. "Today, flight tests are taking place on the territory of the Mil and Kamov National Center for Helicopter Engineering, the planned completion date for development work is 2022. We meet this deadline and, taking into account the duration of the production cycle, are ready to start assembling Ka-52M helicopters now to ensure first deliveries of serial machines next year, "- the press service quoted the words of the managing director of AAK" Progress "Yuri Denisenkov.
The flight tests of the Ka-52M would be carried out by specialists of the helicopter’s developer (the Mil and Kamov National Helicopter-Building Center). Some stages of the trials would run on the territory of the helicopter producer, following which the gunship would be delivered to the customer. Upon the completion of preliminary delivery trials, state joint trials would begin.
The deliveries of serial-produced gunships to the troops may begin in 2022, the company’s press office said on 10 February 2021. "Today flight tests are underway on the territory of the Mil and Kamov National Helicopter Center and 2022 is the planned term of completing the experimental design work. We comply with this term and, considering the duration of the production cycle, we are ready to begin the assembly of Ka-52M helicopters already now to ensure the first deliveries of serial-produced rotorcraft next year," the press office quoted Managing Director of the Progress Arsenyev Aviation Company Yuri Denisenkov as saying.
Official trials of the upgraded Ka-52M reconnaissance/attack helicopter were planned to be completed in October 2022, a source in the defense-industrial complex told TASS 14 September 2022. "The completion of official joint trials is planned in October 2022," the source said. The producer of the upgraded helicopter, the Progress Aircraft Plant in Arsenyev (part of Russian Helicopters holding of Rostec state corporation), was ready for serial production of Ka-52M in volumes demanded by the client,
The first upgraded Ka-52M strike and reconnaissance helicopters were delivered to the Russian army and supplies would continue this year, a source in the defense industry told TASS 04 January 2023. "The first Ka-52M [helicopters] have already been turned over to Russian troops. Deliveries of upgraded helicopters will also continue in 2023," the source said. About ten helicopters were supplied for the Russian army aviation, he noted. The Arsenyevsky aviation plant is fully loaded with production of such helicopters, the source added.
Local journalists obtained the rotorcraft insurance documents in October 2021 to count the Ka-52M unit price as 1 Billion and 75 Million Rubles, equalling around US$15M according to the current exchange rate. This figure does not include smart weaponry, ammunition, ground equipment, spare parts or other accessories.
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