Russia is losing attack helicopters due to lack of air superiority

• Russia’s air force has struggled to operate effectively within Ukraine.
• Russia’s Ka-52, its newest attack helicopter, was particularly hard hit.
• The helicopter is now more vulnerable due to the ineffectiveness of Russian jets as well as the Ka-52’s flaws.

All the Russian Air Force’s helicoptersThe Ka-52 is the most distinctive.

It has an unusual coaxial design and side-by-side tandem crew seating arrangement. Since February’s Russian attack, it has been at the frontline of fighting and involved in the most intense fighting than any other Russian attack helicopter.

The Ka-52 appears to be the most active helicopter in Russia, and is also the one that appears to be suffering the greatest losses. The British Defense Ministry was active in October. saidAt least 23 Ka-52s have been shot down since February.

The ministry stated that this represents almost half of Russia’s helicopter losses in Ukraine and more than 25% of Russia’s Ka-52 fleet.

The Alligator

Designed by the highly regarded Kamov helicopter company, the Ka-52 — known in Russia as the “Alligator” and called the “Hokum-B” by NATO — is an improved variant of the Ka-50 Black SharkThe 1995 introduction of the attack helicopter.

In 2011, the Ka-52 was put into service. It has a ceiling height of 18,000 feet and a top speed at 186 mph. Additional information: coaxial rotorsIt has a tail rotor that is no longer required. ejection seats for its pilots — both rare features for helicopters.

It can carry around 4,000 pounds of missiles and rockets thanks to its two stub wings. It is also equipped with a 30mm autocannon, which is mounted on the right side fuselage. Some variants include a forward-looking, nose-mounted infrared camera that can be used for targeting.

The Ka-52 is Russia’s newest helicopter, but it already has many variants.

Version designed for naval operationswas to be paired alongside two French-built Mistral-class amphibious shipsMoscow bought the deal, but it was canceled due to Russia’s illegal annexe of Crimea in 2014.

Egypt later bought both French ships and then bought them back. the helicoptersRussia.

The Ka-52M, the most recent variant, flew first in August 2020. According to Russian mediaIt includes a number of improvements including a longer-range opto-electronic target acquisition, identification system, as well as a digital drive.

With battlefield videos, the Ka-52’s armaments are also being upgraded. appearing to showIt launched a new anti–armor missile in Ukraine this year.

Performance in war

Since Russia launched its attack, Ka-52s played a significant role.

They were ineffective during the first weeks of war. seen supportingRussian airborne forces at Hostomel Airport escorting Russian convoys. They were particularly useful in hunter-killer missions, often flying up to 50 km into Ukrainian-controlled territory.

Moscow releases regular news footageKa-52 operations, which include with other helicopter gunshipsLike the Mi-28, Mi-24/35.

According to a Royal United Services Institute study reportKa-52s have been “more intensively utilized than the other fleets” on all fronts in Ukraine.

The high operational tempo has also contributed to a high rate of attrition.

The UK claims that 23 Ka-52s were lost, while open source sources claim that tracking site Oryx25 were downed by mid-November. Oryx’s tallies show that this is in comparison to the loss of only eight Mi-24/-35 helicopters and six Mi-28 helicopters.

According to the British Defense Ministry, these losses exceed one-quarter of the 90 Ka52s that were in active service prior to the war. (The International Institute for Strategic Studies). 2021 Military BalanceReport, compiled prior to the war, stated that Russia had 133 Ka-52s.

The ministry cited manportable air-defense system, such as the US-made Stinger missileThe most likely reasons for the high losses are:

Russia’s continued inability to suppress and destroy Ukrainian air defenses has made it hard for Russian jets to work in tandem with helicopters to conduct effective combined-arms operations — in part because many Russian jetsHave been shot down.

The Ka-52’s large losses are also due to a variety of deficiencies, including less armor. poor vibration dampening.

The Ka-52’s lack of armor makes it more vulnerable to small-arms fire and shoulder-launched missiles. Poor vibration dampening makes it difficult for the helicopter to reach targets and reduces the accuracy of its weapons, especially unguided rockets. This forces Ka-52s closer to targets, increasing their exposure.

The Ka-52 also uses anti-tank missile guided missiles, which require that the helicopter remain stationary in order for the missile to hit its target. That also increases its exposure — so much so that Ukrainian soldiers appear to have shot downKa-52s equipped with anti-tank missiles firedFrom the ground.

Russia’s helicopters changed tacticsIn response to Ukraine’s success with shoulder-fired missiles, and other air-defense systems in its air defense system, Russian forces still require close air support. Ukraine has been notified. continues to claim Ka-52 kills.

Moderner, more advanced air-defense systems arrivingThese losses are likely going to rise in Ukraine.