Russian engineers constructed the KA-52 alligator. It innovated combat in the air. It’s very maneuverable and very effective against slow moving ground forces. It has a unique design so that it doesn’t need a tail rotor to make it harder to take down. It has a two seats dso the pilot can navigate and the co-pilot can focus on the adversaries. It is a nightmare for soldiers which gave it the nickname ‘Putin’s Vulture’.
The helicopter is armored so 23mm rounds can not shoot down the cockpit. It also has an emergency ejection system for safety. When the pilot ejects himself the rotors stop and the explosive charges stop. The helicopter can operate in any weather.
Since the helicopter was ordered in 1987 is has been notorious for being unproductive at night time. Until today it has not been used to much. In the last 18 months however, Russia is currently at war with Ukraine and much of the air force has been destroyed including around 40 KA-52 helicopter.
Experts call it very innovative but they are very expensive and crash a lot so it hasn’t made a really big impact and there has yet to be one successful ejection from the pilots.
You may be wondering how it has been affecting the war going on in Ukraine. Footage of the war being released is rare but one clip shows a KA-52 alligator destroying two Ukrainian tanks using tank-piercing missiles. What does get released is footage of these helicopters falling out of the sky which come out every week or two. In this war a lot of Russian troops are drafted which includes even pilots! Some of the pilots are unexperienced pilots and gunning attack helicopters. For that reason the KA-52 is easier to shoot down using mortar cannons and ground assault missiles.
How much does a KA-52 cost?
It costs around 10 million US Dollars.
How do you shoot down a KA-52 helicopter?
Air defense systems especially American stingers are the most effective.
What does the KA-52 shoot?
It has two dozen unguided missiles and machine guns for the co pilot.
Related Stories
https: //en.wikipedia.org /wiki /Kamov_Ka-50
https: //roe.ru /eng /catalog /aerospace-systems /helicopters /ka-52 /
https: //www.newsweek.com /russia-ka52-helicopter-crash-sea-azov-air-force-losses-ukraine-1824578
https: //www.militaryfactory.com /aircraft /detail.php?aircraft_id=1333
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