The real combat use (Syria is practically not considered, there were episodic cases) Ka-52 shows that this is a really serious combat vehicle. No one questioned this before, especially since one cannot think of a reason for criticism now.
Even those pictures that were published by our information opponents, rather testify in favor of my statement, rather than against it. Yes, the facts of the loss took place, but how - that's the point. But we will return to this below.
And it’s worth starting the review, as always, with a historical digression, since this is how you can get a full understanding of those components that make the Ka-52 such a machine as it really is.
There are many nuances in the case with the Ka-52, the main of which is the inability to ensure normal combat work for the Ka-50 pilot (single-seat machine) at the level of the Mi-28, where two crew members flew. The equipment of that time could not completely replace a person, and therefore, in the depths of the Kamov Design Bureau, the general designer of OKYu S.V. Mikheev decided to start work on creating a reconnaissance and control helicopter based on the Ka-50. This helicopter was supposed to be two-seater and act together with the Ka-50 group as a flying coordination center.
To accomplish the tasks, a complex of optoelectronic and radar equipment was developed. To work with this complex, a second crew member was required, who was decided to be placed next to the pilot, and not behind him, as on the majority of similar machines in the world.
This cockpit layout solved several problems at once, the main of which was to simplify the interaction between crew members during flights in difficult conditions, at low altitudes and during combat operations. In addition, there was no need to duplicate instruments for the navigator-operator.
The new helicopter structurally differed from the Ka-50 only in the cabin, otherwise the designs were 85% identical. The cabin booking system has also been preserved, the total weight of the armor is about 300 kg.
The changes affected mainly filling with various equipment.
The most important feature was the K-37-800 ejection seats, which the designers were able to place in the cockpit for both crew members. When the rescue system is activated, the blades are automatically fired before ejection.
The control of the helicopter was made double, and both the pilot and the navigator-operator could control the machine.
Naturally, the placement of the equipment and another crew member had a negative impact on the performance characteristics of the helicopter. However, the decrease in flight performance caused by the weight of the structure turned out to be possible to offset by installing a higher power engine (VK-2500) and a significant reworking of the nose, which brought the aerodynamics of the Ka-52 to the level of the Ka-50.
The main difference between the Ka-52 and the Ka-50 is avionics and electronics. A number of options for equipping the helicopter were considered, and in the end, the Russian Ministry of Defense settled on an option that significantly enhanced the capabilities of the Ka-52 over the Ka-50.
The heart of the Ka-52 is the Argument-2000 sighting-pilot-navigation system. The complex includes:
- on-board digital computer (BTsVM) "Baguet-53";
- flight and navigation complex PNK-73DM;
- round-the-clock surveillance and flight system TOES-520;
- round-the-clock search and sighting system GOES-451 (connected to the Arbalet radar);
- radar complex "Crossbow-52";
- airborne communication complex BKS-50;
- airborne defense complex "Vitebsk";
- avionics with the use of MFD and helmet-mounted target designation and indication systems (NSCI);
- dual control of the complex, the same for both crew members, grouped on their helicopter controls.
Radar "Arbalet-52" two-channel, with two independent antennas.
The first, located in the bow, serves to search for and attack targets, has a large aperture.
The second antenna is over-the-hub, with a smaller aperture, provides all-round visibility for general airspace control and protection from enemy missiles.
"Crossbow-52" is capable of tracking up to 20 targets, the radar tank "sees" from 12 km, the aircraft - from 15 km. A Stinger-class missile is detected from 5 km. In addition, "Arbalet-52" supplies data to the sighting and navigation systems, warns of obstacles when flying at ultra-low altitudes.
The basis of the flight complex at any time of the day is a surveillance and search system, consisting of the optoelectronic system GOES-451, the night flight system TOES-250 and NSCI, helmet-mounted displays, with which pilots can monitor the situation around the clock. From the position sensors of the pilots' helmets, the head of the TOES is controlled.
GOES-451 includes a thermal imager, cameras with wide and narrow angles of view, a laser rangefinder, laser irradiation sensors. The system allows you to detect targets at a distance of up to 10 km during the day and up to 6 km at night. In addition, GOES-451 receives data from the Arbalet-52 radar. The on-board computer processes the data received from all sources and projects a synthesized image of the target and the terrain both on the displays on the dashboard and on the helmet-mounted displays of the pilots.
Combining all the tools for obtaining information about the environment (radar, thermal imager, laser range finder, cameras) into a single system controlled by an on-board computer with the ability to issue data in a way that is convenient for pilots is a task that the designers were able to solve 100%.
Five LCD monitors on the dashboard, one monitor between the legs of the left pilot, an indicator on the windshield of the left pilot plus helmet screens - all this allows pilots to get the most complete picture of what is happening. The only thing that is still missing is a helmet-mounted target designation system. But even without this, pilots can quite effectively control all the weapons at their disposal.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the protection system L-370V52 of the Vitebsk family.
The system automatically detects irradiation of a laser, radar, missile launch, and in the same mode activates the use of passive interference by firing chaff or heat traps. In addition, the L-370V52 can carry out active protection in the infrared and radio ranges, disrupting missile guidance.
The L-370V52 system can operate completely automatically, informing pilots about the nature of the threat and the direction from which the attack was made. L-370V52 not only identifies threats, but also reports on the countermeasures taken and the means of protection remaining at the disposal of the crew.
The Ka-52 helicopter complex includes:
- control device;
- equipment for detecting laser irradiation;
- ultraviolet direction finders for launching missiles;
- stations of optical-electronic suppression (SOEP);
- devices for emitting passive interference;
- digital active jamming station (DSAP).
TsSAP is designed to set up electromagnetic interference and suppress radar signals of enemy detection and guidance radars, as well as homing heads of guided missiles with RGSN.
Here the question may arise: if helicopters are so effectively protected, then why are there cases of their incapacitation by the enemy during a special operation in Ukraine.
If you carefully study the cases of unplanned landing of three Ka-52s, it becomes clear that the most effective way to destroy helicopters worked: MANPADS. Unfortunately, with all the advantages of the Ka-52, the Stinger-type MANPADS will be very effective against helicopters.
Moreover, the Stinger is more effective against helicopters than against aircraft, since the helicopter operates at low altitudes and at lower speeds, representing an advantageous target.
However, let's look at the photo.
Here it is obvious that the helicopter got to the fullest. This fact is difficult to deny. They slapped the engine from MANPADS and slapped it, obviously, from close range. But what can be seen in the photo?
The blades are not fired, which means that the helicopter either landed normally or in autorotation. There are no signs of ejection. There are no traces of blood and other accompanying factors in the cockpit, that is, the crew, after being hit by a rocket, not only survived, but also survived with the subsequent departure from the landing site.
That is, 300 kg of armor played their role just fine. Which is what we had to prove in this case.
There is no point in reviewing all the pictures that are offered, because sometimes it is difficult to even understand what they were painting in. There were too many options when the facts of painting on or outright profanity surfaced.
Preliminary summary: the protection of the Ka-52 in reality "holds the blow" of the Stinger. And the output is a knockdown. But the crew (the most valuable) will simply receive a new car later and continue their work after the necessary rehabilitation.
Armament. Here it’s just worth saying about not what the Ka-52 has, but how it is.
A gun. 2A42. That is, the same thing that stands on light armored vehicles: BMP-2, BTR-82A, BTR-82AT. Ammunition of 500 30-mm shells, which can be borrowed from anyone if necessary: tankers, motorized riflemen, artillerymen, in short, all ground troops who have 30-mm shells for 2A42 and 2A72 in their warehouses. That is, almost everyone.
Unification is generally always useful.
The gun is movable in two planes, and if necessary, two more can be added to external nodes in container installations. Then in general life below becomes sad. The choice of ammunition is controlled by the operator, selective feeding is a useful thing.
Six suspension units, which can accommodate almost two tons of various weapons, from guided missiles of the Ataka family to anti-aircraft Igla-V.
"Attack" gives two options: anti-tank 9M120-1 with a tandem cumulative warhead and 9M120F-1 with a high-explosive warhead with a volumetric detonating mixture. Everything is very beautiful and without unnecessary frills.
The perspective is here too. Very well, Chrysanthemums, which are a very serious anti-tank weapon, will be used from the Ka-52. weapon. In addition to them, it is planned to adopt the Hermes-A long-range anti-tank missiles and the Ataka-M short-range anti-tank missiles, all-weather and round-the-clock use.
Well, and the NAR S-8 and S-13, which have already become classics.
In total, we have a round-the-clock and year-round helicopter for direct support of troops on the battlefield, capable of attacking any targets. Plus, a fairly well-protected crew, working with modern means of detection and target designation.
Of course, the Ka-52 cannot be without enemies. But as practice has shown in Syria (very limited in number and time) and in a special operation in Ukraine, this is a modern vehicle for modern combat, capable of providing sufficient support to its troops on the ground.
It is today that we can observe in video reports and draw conclusions about how successful this helicopter turned out to be. The intensity of use and frankly small losses indicate that when suppressing large air defense systems and fighter aviation of the enemy, the Ka-52 can solve the tasks of ensuring the security of transport columns, performing landing operations and air cover for any offensive actions of the army almost around the clock.
This is not to say that this is the fastest, most equipped or most heavily armed helicopter in the world. It's not even about the numbers of speed or the amount of ammunition on board. The point here is how harmoniously everything is combined in one single machine.
Power-to-weight ratio, avionics, electronics, electronic warfare, armor, rescue equipment, weapons, reliability - all this was quite successfully combined into the Ka-52. And it is in this harmony that the strength of this machine lies.