Russia's Ka‑52 Alligator losses mount as helicopters falter
The Russians have lost another Ka-52 Alligator helicopter, one of their newest aircraft, and their numbers have been rapidly decreasing. Here, we discuss the performance of the Ka-52 Alligator helicopters.
The Russian Telegram channel, Fighterbomber, reported the loss of a Ka-52 Alligator helicopter. One of the two pilots survived the shootdown. According to the list maintained by the OSINT group Oryxspioenkop, this would be the 61st known downed unit.
It's worth noting that before the conflict, Russia had just under 200 units. It’s also possible that Russian losses are higher, as not every shootdown is recorded or captured in photos or videos.
Additionally, due to logistical issues, realistically 50% or even fewer of these helicopters may be flight-ready. There have been instances of cannibalizing functioning machines for parts to keep others flight-capable.
Ka-52 Alligator — a unique Russian helicopter
The Ka-52 Alligator helicopter is a modernization of the Ka-50 helicopter, developed since 1991. It features a unique design with coaxial rotor blades and an unusual seating arrangement where pilots sit side by side. In other attack helicopters, such as the AH-1Z Viper, pilots are positioned in a tandem layout, one in front of the other.
The Ka-52 Alligator is generally equipped with a 30 mm 2A42 automatic cannon mounted on the side of the fuselage and six pylons on the stub wings. The two outermost pylons are designated for electronic warfare pods or 9K38 Igla anti-aircraft missiles, while the other four are used to carry heavier armaments.
The helicopter is equipped with, among others, laser-guided AT-12 Vikhr anti-tank missiles, Kh-25MP anti-radiation missiles, bombs, and pods for unguided S-8 rockets. The latter are most frequently used, often fired at a steep angle, which reduces accuracy but increases their range.
This approach is a desperate measure to extend the strike range, especially since many of these helicopters have been shot down using man-portable air defence systems. American FIM-92 Stinger, Soviet and Russian Strela, 9K38 Igla, and 9K333 Verba, as well as French Mistral and British Starstreak or Martlet, are used for this purpose.
The Russians have claimed that these helicopters are equipped with L-370P2 Vitebsk self-defence systems, which are supposed to jam enemy radars and blind incoming missile lasers. However, the system appears to be rare, not functioning properly, or not being used by Russian pilots.
