Helicopter evolution: from the "Shark" to the "Alligator"

The Russian Air Force plans to move from the K-50 Akula helicopter to the new K-52 Alligator. The Ministry of Defense has already ordered about 140 vehicles. And for the Navy fleet Russia is developing a ship model of a new helicopter, the first model of which will be ready next year.

The rise and sunset of the helicopter K-50

The famous K-50 "Black Shark" helicopter made a real revolution in the design of helicopters. For the first time, designers were able to automate many of the functions that were previously performed manually. Now one person could fly a helicopter and simultaneously fire. In addition, the K-50 was equipped with a new pilot rescue system, in the event of an emergency, the rotor and flashlight were shot, and the pilot's seat was ejected.

An important quality of the "Shark" was Kamov's coaxial screw layout. The helicopter has not one main rotor, but two propellers that work in counter-rotation. As a result of the application of this scheme, the need for a tail rotor and tail boom has disappeared. This reduced the dimensions of the machine, making it more maneuverable and dynamic. The only disadvantage of such a scheme is the possibility of their contact in non-standard flight modes.

And yet the "Shark" did not become produced in large quantities. In total, less than thirty machines were created, of which only four are currently in use. The problem was that the industry of that time could not produce good electronics. In the process of controlling a helicopter, it was sometimes necessary to manually enter data received by one on-board system into another, and this could be completely automated. Maximum use of the helicopter's capabilities could only be real aces, and beginners had to figure it out on their own, since the helicopter is single and it is impossible to take an instructor into the flight.

At the same time, it is extremely difficult to control a helicopter and fight, but it is impossible to transfer weapons control to the “Shark” to automation. In addition, the K-50 initially had a narrow specialization - "hunter for tanks". Now this question is not so relevant. The Russian armed forces require a universal combat helicopter.

"Alligator" replaced the "Shark"

Double K-52 "Alligator" - a modification of the attack helicopter K-50. Initially, he was conceived as a helicopter-gunner for the K-50 link, the place next to the pilot was to be occupied by the flight commander. The helicopter had to find targets and distribute them between 3-4 and other machines. The development of the "Alligator" was carried out in such a way that it could be used in any weather, including night lighting. “Shark” was modernized for these purposes. Outstanding maneuverability, heavy-duty, high degree of automation and the Alligator pilots rescue system was inherited.

K-52 differs from the K-50 bow with a double cabin and a modern complex of onboard equipment. One of the pilots may not be distracted from management, while the second is shooting. Thus, safety and level of accuracy of shooting sharply increase. In addition, the control system of the helicopter is double, if during the battle one of the pilots cannot continue control, the second will lead the helicopter out of the danger zone.

The purpose of the helicopter is not only to destroy enemy tanks, but also to defeat slowly flying targets, reconnaissance, as well as support the ground forces. K-52 is capable of hitting equipment, including armored, manpower of the enemy, as well as Aviation. The maximum speed that a helicopter can reach is 350 km / h, the maximum range and flight altitude are 520 km and 5,5 km, respectively.

The 52 is currently considered one of the best helicopters in the world. The descendant of the "Shark" will be a helicopter, which will be armed with aviation brigades in each territorial command. Recently passed tests, during which they took off and landing on the deck of the ship. In the future, it is planned to include K-52 in combat attack groups, along with Mistral-class helicopter carriers.

Sea tests "Alligator"

Tests of the K-52 helicopter under sea conditions ended on September 14 of the year 2011. Two weeks were practiced taking off and landing a helicopter on the deck of the anti-submarine ship "Vice-Admiral Kulakov" of the Northern Fleet.

The very first landing was carried out on a fixed ship 31 August. Despite the fact that the helipad is only 12-meter, and the length of the helicopter 14,2 m, the pilots from the first attempt to put the car on the deck.

Already 3 September "Alligator" successfully landed on the helipad of a moving ship. The crew of "Vice-Admiral Kulakov" created all the conditions to test the helicopter during pitching. The helicopter was successfully tested in all modes of operation. It is safe to say that the "Alligator" can be put on any ship of greater displacement.

Experts explain that K-52 is not afraid of any wind direction, and its handling is higher than that of tail rotors. During the tests, the helicopter was equipped with special sensors. Especially developers were interested in data on the load on the chassis, because boarding the ship is usually tougher. The sensors recorded an increased vibration of the blades, but the helicopter rose and landed without incident even with strong wind.

Marine "Alligator"

The results of the sea tests are important for the Alligator modernization project - the Ka-52K sea-based helicopter. The ship version of the "Alligator" will be the main species weapons Mistral helicopter carriers, which will come into service with the fleet by 2014. For them, the Ministry of Defense orders 30 new helicopters.

For this project, the "Alligator" is slightly modernized, navigation equipment will be added, the chassis will be enhanced, and the paint will be replaced from a protective color to blue. Also, sea-based helicopters will equip a security system that helps helicopter pilots to roll down. Folding blades and wings will allow more helicopters to be placed in the hangars.

The first prototype of the upgraded helicopter will appear in 2012 year. In five years, such helicopters will appear not only on the Mistrals, but also on other ships of the Russian Navy.

Comments

[Vadivak]

I watched, the pilot praised the coaxial scheme does not lead away when landing on the deck, sat down beautifully, as we will see later

[esso]

Yes, I saw it, only the strong vibration of the blades when landing in windy weather bothers me .. The designers said it themselves. And in the marine modification they will be folding. And it means weakened. And I hope the engines on the ka-52 were replaced with new ones. And then the engines remained the same from ka-50. Due to old maneuverability decreased. I take into account the increase in weight due to on-board electronics and 2 pilots.

[Rustam]

AUTHOR-In total, less than thirty cars were created, of which only four are currently used
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THIS in a dream 30 cars were produced ??? for the entire period since 1992, 12 cars were assembled (although it was adopted by the decree of Yeltsin in 1995)
a unique helicopter was created at the wrong time - the USSR collapsed and the gentlemen of the liberals were not up to helicopters


The K-52 is distinguished from the K-50 by the bow with a double cabin and a modern complex of avionics
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I don’t know the author again - in 1997 a ka-50nsh was assembled with a modern avionics system, in front of the nose is a guidance system for flying at night, but again, due to lack of funds, the helicopter remained in a single copy
For example, the head of the Torzhok center, General Vorobyov (died tragically), considered the ka-50 the best helicopter for our army (although it was already ka-52), but he died and was MI-28 lobbed


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52 is currently considered one of the best helicopters in the world
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YES and you know that the first helicopters go without a radar and without a defense system !!! at max-2011, I went to the phasatron stand — beautifully placed exhibits — a question in the forehead !! when you deliver the radars to the ka-52-answer a malicious smile

ps-my opinion the destruction of the production line of the ka-50 for the sake of mi-28 and ka-52 is a crime, then nothing will probably figure out who is right who is to blame
for example, the Airborne Forces see both aircraft in their ranks, but the Airborne Forces will not receive their aircraft soon, fussing at the Ministry of Defense, nobody wants too much independence for our paratroopers

[Vadivak]

Rustam, that you get excited, it says less than 30 cars, here are 12 and there are less than 30

[Max]

Good article. True, they forgot to write about weapons, which at least are planned to be hung on the ka-52. After all, gunsmiths also did not doze off when a new helicopter was designed.
I would also very much like to see an article on two machines in comparison with the Mi-28 and Ka-52. Both in armament and strategic use.

[PSih2097]

But initially, the tactics of use were as follows: Ka50 + 1 squadron Ka-52 Kamandir and do not need the Air Force Ka-50 at all, give the Airborne Forces, or Toburetkin Airborne Forces as a bad tooth pulled out without anesthesia ...

[His]

In fact, they are saving money again - they are trying to nail the "land" helicopter without modification to the helicopter carrier.

[Maks1m4ik]

MDA and there is a bureaucracy, the developers of K-50-52 would be sent to the amers, they would have found application for them!