Kamov Ka-52 Alligator
The Kamov Ka-52 Alligator adds a second, side-by-side cockpit to the single-seat Ka-50's airframe, splitting piloting and weapons-system duties across two crew while keeping the same coaxial rotor system and rocket-assisted ejection seats. That side-by-side seating, unlike the tandem layout used by most Western attack helicopters, lets both crew members share the same forward view and cross-check each other's targeting. It has become Russia's primary modern attack helicopter, seeing extensive and costly combat use during the war in Ukraine. Its coaxial rotor design gives it strong high-altitude and hot-weather performance compared with single-rotor rivals of similar size.
Did you know?
The Ka-52 Alligator adds a side-by-side two-seat cockpit to the Ka-50's design, letting both crew share the same forward view.
Specifications
| Length | 13.5 m (44 ft) |
|---|---|
| Height | 4.9 m (16 ft) |
| Rotor diameter | 14.5 m (48 ft) |
| Persons on board | 2 |
| Crew | 2 |
| Maximum take-off weight | 10.5 t |
| Range | 285 NM (528 km) |
| Maximum speed | 173 kt (320 km/h) |
| Service ceiling | 18,040 ft (5,499 m) |
| Optimum ceiling | 8,000 ft (2,438 m) |
| Rate of climb | 3,150 ft/min (16 m/s) |
| Engines | 2x Klimov VK-2500 |
| Units built | 196 |
Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.
In CatchFlights
In CatchFlights the Kamov Ka-52 Alligator starts as a Legendary catch. The tier is an editorial judgement of how special a sighting of this type is. The more often you catch it, the closer it moves to Common for you. The first catch of a legendary type pays a bonus of its own.
A catch counts for the manufacturer Kamov, the Ka-52 Alligator family and the model in your collection, and the daily Type Rating quiz asks about the types of each family.
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