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Kamov V-80 - 1971

Kamov's 1971 V-80 project for a dedicated air-to-air helicopter was intended to combat other helicopters. The project was abandoned in 1971. Later the designation V-80 was reused for the design of the unrelated Ka-50. Being constantly told off by the officials, comrades from Kamov Design Bureau came to conclusion (and requirements changed overtime) that something new was needed. In 1971 they created V-80. It was a purpose-designed air superiority helicopter, whose job was to protect advancing mechanized formations from enemy's air forces. It had a tandem layout, crew of two, with weapons operator in the back, fixed autocannon and complement of air-to-air missiles. Program was not pursued, allegedly because idea of multi-role designs was still strong in the minds of those in power. The only picture of the earlier variant of V-80 showed a design from which the Ka-50 evolved, although it builds on experience from other pictures. This was perhaps one of the reasons why Ka-50 was perceived in the West as a dedicated anti-aircraft platform, rather USSR's response for US own AH-64.

Modern rotorcraft perform many of the most diverse combat missions. Escort, landing and fire support of the landing, transportation of troops, cargo and military equipment, air reconnaissance, electronic warfare, patrolling, evacuation and the most discussed function - the fight against tanks and other armored and protected targets. A helicopter is a very versatile machine.

It is logical to assume that the enemy will use helicopters and UAVs for similar purposes, and it is necessary to somehow deal with these helicopters and UAVs. Of course, the presence of MANPADS systems in the infantry and the layered air defense system are good things, but they are not at all a panacea for attacks by modern helicopters.

By the way, the Americans were the first to think about aerial helicopter battles, who at that time had a large and very diverse helicopter fleet and gained enormous combat experience in their use. Initially, attack aircraft and fighters were supposed to be used to combat Soviet helicopters. But here, American strategists were disappointed - the plane was ineffective against a low-speed and inconspicuous target, which moves at an extremely low altitude and even against the thermal and radar background of the terrain. But the aircraft themselves, which by default fly higher, were clearly visible against the sky in all ranges.

To the complexity of detecting a helicopter, the complexity of destruction is added. Almost any underlying surface, terrain hides the thermal trail from the engines, and the presence of various buildings and structures reduces the helicopter's radar signature.

The experience of tests and exercises showed that the actions of aircraft against helicopters were not effective enough. The main reasons are the difficulty of searching, identifying and attacking low-speed targets flying directly near the ground, as well as the impossibility of such actions in difficult meteorological conditions, since there is a significant difference in meteorological level between airplanes and helicopters, and not in favor of the former.

Helicopters fly very low, at extremely low altitudes, using the underlying surface, terrain folds and various area and industrial facilities for stealth. For example, a helicopter, using its maneuverability, can fly at extremely low altitudes - the edge of an area object, forest, coastline, and rugged terrain. It is difficult, or rather almost impossible, to carry out a missile attack on such an inconspicuous target for an airplane that a priori flies higher. A radar attack will not have an effect due to the fact that there are many industrial (area) objects on the ground, a contrasting underlying surface that will interfere with the stable guidance of the rocket, and even if the terrain is deserted, the crew immediately understands where the enemy’s radar is exposed for the first time. is the source and maneuvers to break the attack. For example, a helicopter can reduce speed until it hangs and, using the underlying surface, hide behind a fold of terrain, and become inaccessible from the side of the observation and target designation systems of the enemy aircraft.

Mi-35, Mi-28N Night Hunter and Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopters are armed not only with powerful, movable cannon mounts, but also air-to-air missiles with a hot radar seeker, unlike from major US AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters. Usually luck is on the side of the one who first discovered the target, that guided missiles are used more often than small arms and cannon weapons, and that the pilot's experience and composure are the main weapon in battle. For the development of tactics of air combat on helicopters, military experts still do not have sufficient practical experience. At one time, pilots faced the same problem that helicopter crews have encountered today - how to deliver a preemptive or surprise strike to an enemy helicopter.

The development of a new attack helicopter was launched in the winter of 1976 by order of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union. The new device was supposed to replace the Mi-24 combat helicopter, which lacked combat power. The new project was also affected by the emergence of an American counterpart called the AH-64.