Posted on 05/12/2010 8:39:30 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Russian Ka-52 Alligator helicopters may be the best choice to arm Mistral helicopter carriers, which Russia plans to purchase from France, the chief of Russian helicopter holding said on Wednesday.
Russia negotiates the purchase of at least one Mistral-class amphibious assault ship, worth 400-500 million euros (around $530-$660 million) and plans to build three more vessels of the same class in partnership with a French naval shipbuilder.
The director of the Federal Service of Military-Technical Cooperation in April told RIA Novosti the political decision on the Mistral's purchase had already been taken.
"The French have said the Ka-52 could be the best helicopter for the aircraft carriers [helicopter carriers]," Andrei Shibitov said while answering a question on which helicopter may be used on the Mistral. Two other types of helicopters were tested on the Mistral when the ship made a short port call in Russia in 2009, he added.
The Ka-52 is armed with a 30-mm cannon, Vikhr (Whirlwind) laser guided missiles, rockets, including S-24s, as well as bombs.
The Ka-52 is a modification of the basic Ka-50 Hokum model. The development of the Ka-52 started in 1994 in Russia, but its serial production began only in 2008.
The helicopter is also equipped with two radars, one for ground and one for aerial targets and a Samshite nighttime-daytime thermal sighting system.
(Excerpt) Read more at en.rian.ru ...
Oh goody. Why does Russia need one of these? And why is France selling them one?
It is the same with Israel selling the Russians and Chinese UAV technology. The Iranians are going to end up with it.
Ping.
Russia wants this carrier so they can finish their conquest of the Caucasus nations. The French just want to make money.They should be booted out of NATO for the sale. Ul;timately when the Russians are finished they will sell it either to India or Iran.
I would imagine that without the tail rotor, it’s safer for ground crews and easier to takeoff and land in tight quarters with a lot of obstacles.
Actually, the counter rotating rotors was very popular as helicopters were being developed. I seem to recall at least one early Sikorsky that was set up like this. And of course, the more modern Sikorskys like those used by the Marine Corps use counter rotating rotors, though they’re note set up as coaxial rotors.
Mark
Oh, I’m not saying it’s a bad design. I’m just saying that I’d hate to have to do the calculations to make it work.
Physics was never my favorite of the sciences...
The French aren't "in" NATO. They do coordinate. Maybe they could be denied the NATO communication.
Last time I checked, France was listed as a NATO member.
http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/nato_countries.htm
In 1966, all French armed forces were removed from NATO’s integrated military command, and NATO troops were asked to leave France. Last time I checked, there is talk of France re-joining NATO. They’ve always had a close association, but did not subject their armed forces to NATO integration.
The Last Time I checked, according to the link its a member nation. So the link I provided was wrong, or one of us is werong.
Here is the link if others might want to make up their own mind:
http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/nato_countries.htm
That is a very good picture
It is one bad machine. BTW Sikorsky has done some work in this area also. Last I recall was back in the 80’s.
One prototype was built and test flown but only once.
It is and it isn't. France seems to to like being neither fish nor fowl. They've always been a little quirky. I think you're looking at the fish and I'm looking at the fowl (or the other way around). During WWII de Gaulle nearly drove Eisenhower nuts with his French quirkiness.
To the best of my recollection, de Gaulle never did want to subject the French Military to any level of foreign control.
OK
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.