Editing Kamov Ka-50 (section)

==Design==
[[File:Kamov Ka-52, Russia - Air Force AN1676203.jpg|thumb|left|Kamov Ka-52]]

The Ka-50 and its two-seat version Ka-52 are high-performance combat helicopters with day and night capability, high survivability and fire power, to defeat air targets and heavily armoured tanks armed with air defence weapons. It was designed to be small, fast and agile to improve survivability and lethality.<ref name="airforce-technology.com"/>

===Manoeuvering===
The hovering [[service ceiling|ceiling]] is 4,000 m and vertical rate of climb 10&nbsp;m/s at an altitude of 2,500 m. Having a [[coaxial rotor]] with blades of [[polymer]] results in low inertia both relative to vertical and lateral axes, at 50%–75% as compared to a single rotor helicopter with tail rotor. No tail rotor also means it can perform flat turns at all speeds. A maximum vertical load of 3.5 g combined with low inertia makes the Ka-50 highly agile.

===Navigation systems===
Flight systems include an [[inertial navigation system]] (INS), autopilot and [[head-up display]] (HUD). Sensors include [[forward-looking infrared]] (FLIR) and [[terrain-following radar]].<ref name=Ka-50N_kamov.net/><ref name="airforce-technology.com"/>

The Kamov Ka-50 is also fitted with an electronic radio and sighting-piloting-navigating system allowing flights at day and night in VFR and IFR weather conditions. The novelty of this avionics is based on the system of precise target designation with digital coded communication system, which ensures the exchange of information (precise enemy coordinates) between helicopters flying far apart from each other as well as with ground command posts.<ref name=Ka-50N_kamov.net/> The Ka-52 is also equipped with a "[[Phazotron]]" cockpit radio-locator, allowing flights in adverse meteorological conditions and at night. The necessary information acquired by this radio-locator is transferred to the cockpit's multi-functional display screen. For conducting a fight, both pilots are equipped with range-finders built-in their helmets and they can use night vision eyepieces for night flights.<ref name=Ka-52_kamov.net/>

===Protection and survivability===
For its own protection, Ka-50 is fitted with a radar warning receiver, [[electronic warfare]] system and chaff and flare dispensers.<ref name="airforce-technology.com"/> Aerodynamic cases at wings' ends each contain two dispensers, which in turn have 32 x 26&nbsp;mm countermeasures each. The whole system works on principle of evaluated response based on infrared or electronic impulse irradiation.<ref name=Ka-52_kamov.net/> Extensive all-round armour in the cockpit protects the pilot against 12.7&nbsp;mm armour-piercing bullets and 23&nbsp;mm projectile fragments. The rotor blades are rated to withstand several hits of ground-based automatic weapons.<ref name="airforce-technology.com"/>

Other survivability features include armour protection for vital aircraft systems, and crash-absorbing landing gear and seats.<ref>{{harvnb|Butowski|2022|pages=59,62,69}}</ref> Also, not having a tail rotor can improve survivability, since the tail boom isn't load-bearing; during testing, a Ka-50 lost its tail, but still managed to return to base without a problem.<ref>{{harvnb|Butowski|2022|page=11}}</ref>

It is the world's first operational helicopter with a rescue [[ejection system]] allowing the pilot to escape at all altitudes and speeds. The rotor blades detach using explosive bolts prior to ejection to prevent damage to the crew. The K-37-800 rocket-assisted ejection system is manufactured by [[NPP Zvezda]].<ref name="airforce-technology.com"/>

===Armament===
[[File:Схема вооружения ка-52.jpg|thumb|left|Armament scheme Ka-52]]

The aircraft has one [[Shipunov 2A42]] autocannon with [[selective fire]], and a dual-feed, giving it a cyclic rate of fire between 200 and 800 rounds per minute.<ref name="urlKBP Instrument Design Bureau - 2A42">{{cite web |url=http://www.kbptula.ru/en/productions/small-arms-guns-grenade-launchers/guns-machine-guns/2a42 |title=KBP Instrument Design Bureau - 2A42 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407001447/http://www.kbptula.ru/en/productions/small-arms-guns-grenade-launchers/guns-machine-guns/2a42 |archive-date=7 April 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> It is mounted near centre of gravity for accuracy, and carries 460 high-fragmentation, explosive incendiary, or armour-piercing rounds. The type of ammunition is selected by the pilot during flight.<ref name=Ka-50_Helicopter>[http://www.airforceworld.com/heli/eng/ka50.htm Ka-50 photos and video] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501135137/http://www.airforceworld.com/heli/eng/ka50.htm |date=1 May 2013}} ''AirForceWorld.com''.</ref> The integrated 30&nbsp;mm cannon is semi-rigidly fixed on the helicopter's side, movable only slightly in elevation and [[azimuth]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2023|reason=Previous source actually states free movement}} Semi-rigid mounting improves the cannon's accuracy, giving the 30&nbsp;mm a longer practical range and better hit ratio at medium ranges than with a free-turning turret mount.

The fire control system automatically shares all target information in real time, allowing one helicopter to engage a target spotted by another aircraft, and the system can also input target information from ground-based forward scouts with personnel-carried target designation gear.<ref name="Russian Helicopters"/>

Weapons can be carried on four external hardpoints under the stub wings, plus two on the wingtips, a total of more than 2,000&nbsp;kg (depending on the mix).<ref>{{harvnb|Butowski|2022|page=65}}</ref> The pylons can be tilted up to 10 degrees downward. Fuel tanks may be mounted on a suspension point, whenever necessary.<ref name=Ka-50N_kamov.net/>

Anti-tank armament comprises twelve [[Vikhr]] [[laser-guided]] [[anti-tank missile]]s (transl. Vortex or whirlwind), with a maximum range of some 8&nbsp;km. The laser guidance is reported to be virtually jam-proof and the system features automatic guidance to target, enabling evasive action immediately after missile launch, alternatively it can also use [[9M120 Ataka|Ataka]] laser-guided anti-tank missiles.<ref name="auto1"/> Before firing laser-guided missiles it often must hover a few hundred feet off the ground to direct a laser at a target, leaving itself briefly exposed.<ref name="ny">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/10/25/world/russia-ukraine-war-news?unlocked_article_code=eWIy98ol_B7Enng6ZMKPHmTUZ7FHosJQTtWJDP8yRLbnM6aLA5DQ4oWcwn5SR6fC-mziRuvAj5jpJN41XvyDenLdO1Y4mBk_x58fU3myc5kNJfo3Ys54bC4ExRzeaBWa2YaBPSoNCeBN_jsalbSxGtoXAPtCgy-scfuLeBxryMTUwADBiMEv5O4ObeQe8_FlYDo7YnOORJmSGG0ArByD0qF5Xjw2X_dj_XZOHo7fCcaMnNI9Dr_Wg7Iy1o5QHT9vFgbY3CzY0pk36FV_SED9q6kx5gU_w6vAKzsXiUUQELDL06WrE3jwAy04Pq43ZCrYQHXSJhxJjV3FUvBdbqA6pgCC5Gzwpu4MTA&smid=share-url |title=Ukraine shoots down Russian attack helicopters, making a dent in Moscow's fleet |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=25 October 2022 |access-date=25 October 2022 |archive-date=25 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025131543/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/10/25/world/russia-ukraine-war-news?unlocked_article_code=eWIy98ol_B7Enng6ZMKPHmTUZ7FHosJQTtWJDP8yRLbnM6aLA5DQ4oWcwn5SR6fC-mziRuvAj5jpJN41XvyDenLdO1Y4mBk_x58fU3myc5kNJfo3Ys54bC4ExRzeaBWa2YaBPSoNCeBN_jsalbSxGtoXAPtCgy-scfuLeBxryMTUwADBiMEv5O4ObeQe8_FlYDo7YnOORJmSGG0ArByD0qF5Xjw2X_dj_XZOHo7fCcaMnNI9Dr_Wg7Iy1o5QHT9vFgbY3CzY0pk36FV_SED9q6kx5gU_w6vAKzsXiUUQELDL06WrE3jwAy04Pq43ZCrYQHXSJhxJjV3FUvBdbqA6pgCC5Gzwpu4MTA&smid=share-url |url-status=live}}<!-- scroll down for helicopters! --></ref>

Ka-50/52 can also carry several rocket pods, including the [[S-13 rocket|S-13]] and [[S-8 rocket]]s. The "dumb" rockets could be upgraded to [[laser guided]] with the proposed [[Ugroza]] system.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jetdiscovery.com/wiki/ugroza-precision-guided-weapon-system-based-s-8-s-13-and-s-24-aircraft-rockets |title=jetdiscovery.com |access-date=9 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713103500/http://www.jetdiscovery.com/wiki/ugroza-precision-guided-weapon-system-based-s-8-s-13-and-s-24-aircraft-rockets|archive-date=13 July 2011 |website=THE DRIVE |url-status=live}}</ref>