Kamov Ka-50
The Kamov Ka-50 "Black Shark" (Russian: Чёрная акула, romanized: Chyornaya akula, English: kitefin shark), NATO reporting name Hokum A, is a Soviet/Russian single-seat attack helicopter with the distinctive coaxial rotor system of the Kamov design bureau. It was designed in the 1980s and adopted for service in the Russian army in 1995. The Ka-50 is manufactured by the Progress company in Arsenyev. It is used as a heavily armed scout helicopter, and is notable for having a rescue ejection system, rare for helicopters.
| Ka-50 "Black Shark" Ka-52 "Alligator" | |
|---|---|
| Kamov Ka-50 of the Russian Air Force | |
| Role | Attack helicopter, scout helicopter |
| National origin | Soviet Union / Russia |
| Manufacturer | Kamov |
| First flight | Ka-50: 17 June 1982 Ka-52: 25 June 1997 |
| Introduction | 28 August 1995 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | Russian Aerospace Forces Russian Naval Aviation Egyptian Air Force |
| Produced | 1990–present |
| Number built | Ka-50: 18–19 Ka-52: 196+ |
| Developed from | Kamov V-80 |
During the late 1990s, Kamov and Israel Aerospace Industries developed a tandem-seat cockpit version, the Kamov Ka-50-2 "Erdogan" (Russian: Эрдоган, Turkish: Erdoğan), to compete in Turkey's attack helicopter competition. Kamov also designed another two-seat variant, the Kamov Ka-52 "Alligator" (Russian: Аллигатор, NATO reporting name: Hokum B). The Ka-52's unit cost is US$16 million as of 2023.