Russia to upgrade Ka-52 helicopter.

Russian industry is planning to upgrade the Kamov Ka-52 (NATO reporting name: Hokum-B) ‘Alligator’ combat-reconnaissance helicopter, according to Executive Director of the Arseniev-based Progress Aviation Company (a subsidiary of Rostec’s holding Russian Helicopters) Yuri Denisenko.

Serial Ka-52 (Picture source: Alex Beltyukov)

"All the [Ka-52] Alligator helicopters, which had been set for delivery [last year], were supplied to the Ministry of Defense’s [MoD’s] representatives under the original delivery schedules…In 2020, we should ink a new agreement with the MoD. To this end, we should create a new technical environment, launch joint state trials and finish them in 2021, and get an upgraded rotorcraft," Denisenko told the newspaper Red Star (Krasnaya Zvezda) on January 13

According to him, the export-oriented Ka-52 helicopter will also pass through modernization. "Not only should we modernize the rotorcraft under the State Defense Order [Gosoboronzakaz], but we also should update our export-oriented platform in order to achieve new results in the global market," said Denisenko.

According to him, the Progress in accordance with a MoD’s order and under the guidance of the design bureau Kamov (a subsidiary of the Russian Helicopters) is upgrading the Ka-52, considering the experience gained during the platform’s operational use. The update works will result in the increase of the rotary-wing system’s target detection and recognition range, weapon capabilities, protection, and power supply features.

The Ka-52 ‘Alligator’ combat-reconnaissance helicopter has been being produced since 2007. The system is designed to engage tanks, armored and soft-skin targets, manpower, helicopters and other aerial targets round-the-clock under all weather conditions. The rotorcraft has received cutting-edge avionics and a powerful armament suite that can be reconfigured to accomplish various missions. The platform has received engine heat deflectors and an electronic protection.

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