About Ka-50 combat helicopter:
In developing the advanced Ka-50 combat helicopter in 1977 at the time the fleet of the Soviet Army's combat helicopters was made up of Mi- 24s. In terms of performance they could not challenge the new American AH- 64 "Apache" fire support helicopter, which was at that time being developed. Several helicopter configurations and were studied, as "Kamov" designers tried to create a new superior combat machine. The experience in Vietnam and in Afghanistan had disclosed the low survivability of the classic single-rotor helicopter due to its vulnerable tail rotor and extended rotor drive.
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The advantages of an aerodynamically symmetrical coaxial main rotor came to the fore. Such a rotor assures easier helicopter control both in the manual and, more importantly, automatic mode, excellent manoeuvrability, take-off and landing in windy weather. Furthermore, the coaxial rotor considerably improves helicopter survivability, makes the rotor drive more compact and substantially reduces engine power losses. Today, Ka-50 is the world's best helicopter in terms of efficient use of engine power.
Many of us with no doubt can recall one of Russia's MiG-29 and its world famous stunt aerobatics nicknamed "the bell", or Su-27's "Pugachov cobra", which shock both experts and spectators. Ka- 50 also has its own aerobatic our de force: no other machine can execute the so-called "funnel" as perfectly as Ka-50. In actual fact, the "funnel" is an element of aerobatics, ensuring concentration of helicopter fire on pinpoint targets. Moreover, continuous displacement of the helicopter in the "funnel" in azimuth and elevation makes enemy timing extremely difficult. The Ka-50 can sideslip at 80 km/h or move backwards at 90 km/h. It only takes a few seconds to reverse flight direction. Ka-50 is the only craft in the world which can hover motionlessly for twelve hours in succession! The priorities of the "Kamov" company extend far beyond its unsurpassed experience in the theory and practice of building coaxial rotor helicopters. In 1965, the company started issuing fibre glass rotor blades in their helicopters ten years before the rest of the world. Similar fourth- generation blades are now being installed in Ka-50. One of the Ka- 50's rotor blades sustained 30 holes caused by automatic gunfire to test the helicopter's survivability. The craft continued flying for 80 accident- free hours.
The Ka-50's combat power is based essentially on anti-tank guided missiles and cannon fire. Frequently, then a helicopter attacks tanks, it becomes a good enemy target. Ka- 50 is able to counter this menace with its "Vikhr" supersonic anti-tank missiles, with a maximum range of 10 km. This weapon helps reduce the time spent by the helicopter in the firing zone, exceeding at the same time the effective range of enemy anti-aircraft missiles. The combination warhead of the supersonic missile includes several different fuses. All these factors, combined with a high-accuracy jam-proof guidance system, ensures effective engagement of different targets, including armoured targets (with dynamically protected armour up to 900 mm thick) as well as airborne targets flying at a speed of up to 800 km/h, using the same type of ammunition. The missile is renowned for its stealth: the enemy only detects the attack when hit. This weapon is characterized by lower reserves, which may well be used to enhance its combat capabilities. Extensive firing tests have proved the excellent qualities of the automatic guidance system: small-size targets are defeated at maximum ranges far more effectively.
The powerful 30 mm gun was borrowed from the Army and in terms of ammunition fully standardized with the one used in the BMP-2 mechanized infantry vehicle. The 2A42 gun has a selectable rate of fire and permits selective ammunition supply from two boxes loaded with armour-piercing and high-explosive sounds. Such design increases gun efficiency by more than 30 per cent in fire against light armour or airborne targets. The barrel life permits one to fire the complete 500-round load uninterruptedly without intermediate cooling. The BMP-2's and the Army combat helicopter's gun mount has proved reliable in conditions of extreme dust. The gun arrangement in Ka-50 is quite unusual. To preserve high accuracy of fire along with other remarkable properties, the gun is installed in the helicopter's centre of gravity.
This ensures strength requirements and eliminates any need for additional reinforcement of the structure. In addition, this factor helps reduce the recoil effect, helicopter weight and retain the center of gravity, as the rounds are expended. The electro hydraulic servo drive provides for the vertical and horizontal movements of the barrel to maintain the line of fire. The 2A42 guns mount "Kamov" experts in the development and operation of avionics. The contract for an integrated electronic weapons control and avionics system was awarded to a specialized company, which developed similar systems for MiG and Su single-seat fighters. The Ka-50's crew was thereby and the "Vikhr" missiles are designed by a team of weapon designers headed by A.G. Shipunov, corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Various Ka-50 armament versions have been proposed to better adapt the craft to the existing fleet of army combat helicopters and enable firing against different targets. Ordnance items are attached to four suspension fittings, which can receive virtually any airborne weapon: pylon locks' load-carrying capacity constitutes the only limitation. To use the whole ordnance range, no changes in the design or algorithm of the weapons control system are required.
The weapon pylons can be tilted. Owing to a 10-degree downward deflection, the pylons can impart, to a certain extent, new properties to the conventional weapons suspended on them. Fuel tanks may be counted on all suspension fittings, whenever necessary.
For combat helicopter group operations, Ka-50 has the requisite equipment and receives reconnaissance data from various guidance systems. The received data are also displayed on the windshield indicator.
To ensure high accuracy in the operation of airborne weapons, the human operator was replaced by an automatic guidance system. The human factor, liable to emotions and stresses, was eliminated from the most critical element of the system thanks to the high standard of the national defence industry and the long-term experience gained by "Kamov" experts in the development and operation of avionics. The contract for an integrated electronic weapons control and avionics system was awarded to a specialized company, which developed similar systems for MiG and Su single-seat fighters. The Ka-50's crew was hereby reduced to the minimum: it consists of a single pilot.
From the very start the helicopter featured enhanced survivability. On the one hand, a compact single- pilot raft was easier to protect, while at the same time the protection should be reliable enough to safeguard the single crewman. Unlike its counterpart "Apache", the Ka-50's essential units are considerably smaller in size. Complete elimination of the tail rotor, together with its controls and gear box, means that tail boom damage can be sustained without serious implications. Measures taken to improve both the craft's and rew's survivability ensured the successful solution of at least twenty-six problems. They include continuous operation of the rotor drive despite a damaged oil system, assisted emergency escape, an extensive fire extinguishing system and many others.
Composite materials constitute thirty-five per cent of the helicopter's load-carrying structure. They do not simply reduce the craft's weight. When hit by bullets or shells, the composites do not produce secondary effects (splinters, splashes) characteristic of a metal surface.
Particular care has been taken to protect the flight compartment and fuel system. The Ka-50's pilot is seated in a completely armoured and screened cockpit weighing a little over 300 kg. Multiple tests of various protection materials proved the high operational and combat properties of the combination steel armour. The matter is part of the fuselage's basic structure, providing it with additional strength. Due to improved counter shell resistance of such armour the pilot is protected from direct hits of several 20 mm shells. The cockpit design and layout restrict changes to 10-15% of the flight compartment's internal volume upon impact with the ground. No helicopter components can penetrate into the cockpit, when their attachment Parts are destroyed.
The new helicopter's landing gear and fuselage are designed to absorb ground impact overloads. The fuel system arrangement prevents any possibility of fire after any rough landing of the craft. If one of the two engines is damaged, the Ka-50 can continue the flight on one operating engine. The rotor swash plate control rods will remain operational, even if one has sustained two large-calibre machine gun shot holes.
The assisted emergency escape system deserves special attention. It is the world's first usable helicopter pilot rescue ejection system. The system operates reliably in any critical situation. The single-seat helicopter concept ensures maximum pilot survivability. The K-37 seat designed at the firm "Zvezda" by the team headed by G.I. Severin, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, allows pilot ejection at all altitudes and velocities, including zero. The pilot can also bail out without ejection. A number of consecutive operations are performed on board the craft as the system is actuated. They include jettisoning the main rotor blade followed by the opening of the cockpit panel and actuation of the ejection pocket motor. The aforementioned system is most convenient for a single-seat helicopter, owing to the lack of time available during the escape at minimum altitudes.
The problem of time and effort needed by the ground personnel to prepare the craft for combat was also solved successfully for the Ka-50. As the helicopter is armed on the ground, electric hoists built, to ensure easy suspension of weapons weighing up to 500 kg. The supersonic missiles are loaded as an integral block; the stowage process of the belted ammunition in the boxes is simplified and mechanized. Arrangement of the equipment in the helicopter ensures the operation of several specialists at a time. The equipment is easily accessible, owing to the large cowl openings. The Ka-50's peculiar features include grease free Teflon hinges used in all bearings of the mechanical system.
They enjoy a service life at least ten times as long as regular bearings. The Army's Ka-50 is designed for prolonged service from unprepared landing grounds located far from the main bases.
According to Air Force specialists and foreign experts, Ka-50 is not merely another good combat craft: it constitutes a new trend in helicopter construction and Army Aviation tactics. Designed initially to "neutralize" the US AH-64A "Apache" attack helicopter, Ka-50 has outperformed its rival in every respect. Now foreign companies, which received orders for Army combat helicopters must meet customer requirements to provide a machine at least as good as Kamov-50.
One of the producers of Black Shark Ka-50 combat helicopter Diecast Model is "Revell".