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Naval
Forces News - Russia |
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Russian
Navy new Ka-52K Hokum B Naval Attack Helicopter Conducted its First
Test Flight |
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Pictures
have emerged on Russian social networks showing the first test flight
of the new Ka-52K Naval Attack helicopter. Based on the Ka-52 "Alligator"
the K version has been specifically modified for the Russian Navy to
operate the helicopters from the Mistral class LHDs. |
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 Russian Navy's new Ka-52K Hokum B Naval Attack Helicopter during its first test flight |
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The
navalised version of the Alligator features a folding rotor head and
folding stub-wings. Other modifications are rumored to include the ability
to launch Kh-31 (AS-17 'Krypton') and Kh-35 (AS-20 'Kayak') anti-ship
missiles. Some reports also reported the installation of a Mig-35 fighter's
Zhuk-A phased array radar in the nose of the Ka-52K. (Source
and pictures). The first test flight of the new Ka-52K took place on March 7 at the Progress Aresenyev Aviation Company 'Nikolai Sazykin' plant, a subsidiary of Russian Helicopters. The helicopter features a dark gray camouflage. The inscription on the tail "?? ??? ??????" means it belong to the Russian Navy Naval Aviation. The helicopter features four hardpoints under its wings. Similar to the land forces version, the Ka-52K is fitted with a GOES-451 optronic sensor under the nose and a 2A42 30-mm automatic cannon. |
 The navalised version of the Alligator features a folding rotor head and folding stub-wings. Image: Kamov |
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Intended originally to be deployed from the two Mistral
class LHDs built in France, it is not clear what the Russian Navy
will do if the two amphibious vessels are not delivered. Russian Ministry
of Defence official have recently declared however that the Russian Navy
has a need for Naval Attack helicopters and will use the Ka-52K regardless
of the Russian Mistrals fate. It won't be possible for the Russian Navy
to operate them from the future Ivan
Gren-class landing ship (Project 11711). The Ka-52K will have
to be shore based or deployed from Russian Navy's only aircraft carrier,
the Admiral Kuznetsov. Russia and France signed a $1.6 billion deal for two Mistral-class ships in June 2011. The handover of the first ship, the Vladivostok, was scheduled for November 14, but did not take place. On November 25, French President Francois Hollande postponed the delivery of the Vladivostok to Russia over the situation in Ukraine. |
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