Editing Kamov Ka-50 (section)

===Ka-52 "Alligator"===
[[File:Ka-52 at MAKS-2009.jpg|thumb|Ka-52 "061", Zhukovski, 2009]]

In the early 1980s, while comparative tests of the V-80 (Ka-50 prototype) and the Mi-28 were being conducted, the Kamov design team came up with a proposal to develop a dedicated helicopter to conduct battlefield reconnaissance, provide target designation, support and coordinate group attack helicopter operations based on the [[Kamov Ka-60|Ka-60]]. However, the economic hardships that hit the nation in the late 1980s hampered this new development program. This prompted Kamov's Designer General to choose a modified version of Ka-50 on which to install the reconnaissance and target designation system. The modified "Black Shark" required a second crew member to operate the optotronics/radar reconnaissance suite. Kamov decided to use side-by-side seating arrangement, due to the verified improvements in co-operation between the crew members. This twin-seat version was designated Ka-52.<ref name=Andrey_Fomin />

[[File:Kamov Ka-52.jpg|thumb|Serial Ka-52 at Torzhok Air Base]]
In comparison to the original Ka-50, the Ka-52 has a new radome with a nose-mounted radar system for targeting giving the Ka-52 a rounder nose profile. A day-and-night TV/thermal sighting system is fitted in a spherical turret under the nose (some examples have an additional mast radar for aerial targets and a second sighting system above the cockpit). The Ka-52 has the side-mounted cannon of the original Ka-50.<ref name="Ka-52_prod">[http://www.kamov.ru/en/production/ka52/ Ka-52 product page] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101107181714/http://www.kamov.ru/en/production/ka52/ |date=7 November 2010}}. Kamov.</ref> It features six wing-mounted [[hardpoint]]s compared to four on the Ka-50. To keep the weight and performance on par with that of the Ka-50, the armor and the capacity of the cannon magazine/feed were reduced. Also some flight parameters deteriorated: rate of climb dropped from 10 to 8&nbsp;m/s and maximum positive load factor became 3.0 g. Most of the problems were solved by installing the new [[VK-2500]] engine.<ref name="Russian Helicopters"/> The Ka-52 is approved for day, night and adverse weather conditions.<ref name=Ka-52_kamov.net>[http://www.kamov.net/kamov-army/kamov-ka-52/ "Ka-52".] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120225551/http://www.kamov.net/kamov-army/kamov-ka-52/ |date=20 January 2012}} ''kamov.net''.</ref>

Manufacturing of the first Ka-52 airframe began in mid-1996.<ref name=Andrey_Fomin /> Series production was started in autumn 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lenta.ru/news/2008/10/29/alligator/ |script-title=ru:Началось серийное производство вертолетов Ка-52 |work=lenta.ru |language=ru |trans-title= Serial production of Ka-52 helicopters has begun |access-date=5 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081101025231/http://www.lenta.ru/news/2008/10/29/alligator/ |archive-date=1 November 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of|2010|September}}, the 696th Instructor and Research Helicopter Regiment, based at [[Torzhok (air base)]], is operating eight helicopters, in varying degrees of capability and/or modification, for research and development.<ref name=Alexander_Mladenov /> In December 2010, four new, series-production Ka-52s were delivered to the Air Base<ref>Sergy Aleksandrov. April 2011. "Four new Ka-52s delivered to Torzhok". ''Air Forces Monthly''. Issue 277, p. 29.</ref> of the 344th Centre for Combat Training and Aircrew Conversion.<ref>"More Ka-52s for Russian AF". ''Combat Aircraft''. Vol. 12, No. 4, p. 16.</ref>

[[File:Russian Air Force Kamov Ka-52 cockpit (19604206626).jpg|thumb|Russian Aerospace Forces Kamov Ka-52 cockpit]]
The first phase of the official tests (ГСИ) was completed in December 2008 and after that permission was given for the production of an experimental batch for phase 2 (ГСИ, including fire tests and the search for targets)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rnd.cnews.ru/army/news/line/index_science.shtml?2008/12/30/333682 |title=Новости науки |work= R&D.CNews |access-date=17 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230234656/http://rnd.cnews.ru/army/news/line/index_science.shtml?2008%2F12%2F30%2F333682 |archive-date=30 December 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Serial production of the Ka-52 began at the Progress Arsenyev Aviation Company plant in [[Arsenyev]], [[Primorsky Krai]] by end of the 2008.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/1049820 |title="Аллигатор" поддержит экономику "Прогресса" |trans-title="Alligator" will support the economy of "Progress" |journal=[[Kommersant]] |date=30 October 2008 |access-date=4 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105061815/https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/1049820 |archive-date=5 November 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=How the Ka-52 Alligator is made: A guided tour of the helicopter factory |url=http://en.ria.ru/video/20110907/166497435.html |newspaper=RIA Novosti |date=2011-09-07 |access-date=2014-02-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227070112/http://en.ria.ru/video/20110907/166497435.html |archive-date=27 February 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> After the completion of the state trials, the Ka-52 entered service in May 2011 with first operational units joining the Russian Air Force the same month. Under previous State Defense Procurement Plans, the Russian Armed Forces was to receive 2 experimental and 24 serial Ka-52s by 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3083434.html |title=Министерством обороны России планируется закупка еще 114 вертолетов Ка-52 |website=bmpd.livejournal.com |date=7 February 2018 |access-date=4 November 2018 |archive-date=18 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918072000/https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3083434.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The second long-term contract signed in 2011 worth 120 billion rubles is to provide the Russian Aerospace Forces with 146 Ka-52 helicopters in total until 2020. In February 2018, the [[Ministry of Defence (Russia)|Russian Ministry of Defence]] expressed an interest to purchase 114 Ka-52s of a new version within the new State Armament Program for 2018–2027.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12161921@egNews |title=Минобороны намерено закупить 114 вертолетов Ка-52 в рамках новой Госпрограммы вооружений |website=mil.ru |date=6 February 2018 |access-date=4 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105012451/https://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12161921@egNews |archive-date=5 November 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>