Ka-52M (military helicopter)

2024: Ka-32A11M announcement

In September 2024, Russia launched mass production of Ka-32A11M helicopters equipped with the latest control systems, night vision goggles and an upgraded cockpit with many displays. This project is being implemented on the basis of the Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise, which is part of the Russian Helicopters holding of the Rostec state corporation. The first production sample was successfully tested, which confirmed its high flight performance and stability in control.

According to Rostec, the Ka-32A11M is an upgraded version of the famous Ka-32 helicopter, which has gained wide recognition around the world due to its coaxial scheme that increases maneuverability and stability. The new version of the helicopter has domestic VK-2500PS-02 engines developed by the United Engine Corporation, which increases the power of the machine and improves its characteristics in emergency situations.

Rostec.ru

The Ka-32A11M also received a "glass cockpit" with a digital flight and navigation complex, which displays the most important data on multifunctional displays, which reduces the load on the crew and simplifies the assessment of the situation during flight. The new radio navigation complex increases flight safety in difficult weather conditions, and internal and external lighting equipment is adapted for use with night vision goggles.

The machine, created entirely from Russian components, has already made more than 100 flights as part of flight tests. According to Olga Plokhova, Director General of KumAPP, the Ka-32A11M is a universal platform for performing aviation work, such as cargo transportation, emergency rescue operations and extinguishing fires. Its firefighting version is equipped with a SP-32 system that allows you to effectively extinguish fires even in low temperatures.^[1]

2022: Upgraded helicopters can interact with drones and connect to satellites

On September 14, 2022, it became known about the new capabilities of the modernized Ka-52M helicopter. According to TASS, citing a source in the military-industrial complex, a military aircraft will be able to interact with all aircraft facilities that usually participate in a military operation - drones, airplanes and helicopters. Typically, a ground control station is deployed for these purposes.

As part of interaction with drones, the crew of the Ka-52M helicopter will receive from them information about the situation on the battlefield. This will qualitatively improve the collection of intelligence data at a greater distance, says the interlocutor of the news agency. Another innovation of the Ka-52M is associated with support for satellite communications for various tasks.

Updated Ka-52M military helicopters can interact with drones and connect to a satellite

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The Ka-52M is an upgraded version of the Ka-52 Alligator helicopter. The rotorcraft received a new radar complex with an active phased antenna array and a guided missile with an increased range.

The upgraded Ka-52M has a number of significant differences from its predecessor. This is the new VK-2500 engine, an optoelectronic gyrostabilizer system with which the helicopter can "see" much further. The onboard radar system with a phased antenna array allows you to conduct more targets.

In addition, a new digital drive is provided, which will increase the accuracy of aiming when firing from a gun, new brake wheels with disc brakes and aircraft tires of increased wear resistance are installed. A VK-2500 engine is installed on the upgraded machines.

In early September 2022, it became known that the modernized Ka-52M was successfully tested as part of the Russian special operation in Ukraine.^[2]

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