Russia’s Upgraded Ka-52M Attack Helicopter To Get New Sighting System

FILE IMAGE: RIA Novosty

Russia’s upgraded Ka-52M attack helicopter will get a new sighting system that will enable it to effectively use weapons at night, a source in the Russian defense industry told the TASS news agency on October 28.

“The Ka-52M helicopter’s combat efficiency will be substantially enhanced through an upgraded sighing system that will boost its capabilities of employing armaments at night. The range of the upgraded sight’s target detection and identification thermal imaging channel has been doubled,” the unnamed source said.

According to the source, the upgrade was prompted by the experience of employing the Ka-52 helicopter in Syria where the gunships mostly operated at night.

In Syria, Russian Ka-52 attack helicopters employed the 9K121 Vikhr anti-tank guided missile with a range of up to eight kilometers. TASS source said that the new upgrade, which will also include an improved radio station, will boost the range of the missile.

The Vikhr is armed with a 12 kg tandem high-explosive anti-tank warhead that can penetrate 1,000 of rolled homogeneous armour behind explosive reactive armour.

“Work is underway to install a Safar radio station and extend the range of Vikhr missiles to 10 km,” said the source.

In September, TASS revealed that the Russian military had successfully tested the upgraded Ka-52M attack helicopter in Ukraine.

The Ka-52M upgrade will not be limited to weapons, radio and sighting systems. As a part of the upgrade, the helicopter will also get a new phased array radar, a new active protection system, a new battlefield command and control system, a stronger undercarriage wheels and an improved cockpit ergonomics.

The improved attack helicopter is expected to enter service with the Russian military in the near future. In August, the Russian Ministry of Defense signed a contract with a defense manufacturer at the Army 2022 international arms show on the supply of upgraded Ka-52M helicopters to the military.

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