D
Air ForcesRussia

Ka-50 Black Shark (Hokum A)

Attack helicopterFielded 1995Pending verification

Also known as: Kamov Ka-50 "Black Shark"

Air ForcesRUS
Ka-50 Black Shark (Hokum A)
Photo: Karen Abeyasekere, U.S. Air Force · Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeAttack helicopter
Alternative designationsKamov Ka-50 "Black Shark"
Date of introduction1995
ProliferationOrigin country only
ManufacturerKamovMed[1]
Crew1Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Wingspan7.3 m24 ftMed[1]
Height4.9 m16 ftMed[1]
Empty weight7,692 kg16,958 lbMed[1]
Flight performance
Engine2 x turboshaft Klimov TV3-117VMAMed[1]
Thrust / power2,200 shaft hp eachMed[1]
Rate of climb600 m/minMed[1]
Endurance3 HoursMed[1]
Protection
ArmorProtection against 12.7-mm armor-piercing bullets and 23-mm projectile fragmentsMed[1]
Heat Signature ReductionExhaust infrared (IR) suppressorsMed[1]
NBC ProtectionYesMed[1]
EW Counter SystemYesMed[1]
Counter Measures (Chaff/Flares)launchers in wingtip podsMed[1]
Armament and payload
Hardpoints4 (6 on Ka-52) under-wing hardpoints, plus 2 on wingtips for countermeasures or air-to-air missiles with a capacity of 2,000 kgMed[1]
Wing Mounted WeaponsThe Ka-50 can also be outfitted with the Kh-25MP (AS-12 Kegler) Missile and FAB 500 or tactical dispensersMed[1]
ArmamentShipunov 2A42,; S-8 Rocket; R-60 Missile (AA-8 Aphid"); 9K121 Vikhr (AT-16 Scallion)Med[1]
Fire control
Fire Control RadarMillimeter wave radarMed[1]
Night VisionElectro-optical sight; takes one pylon slotMed[1]
IFFYes, Slap Shot SystemMed[1]
Data LinkYes, with ground unitsMed[1]
Variants
Kamov V-80Prototype version for Ka-50.[1]
Kamov Ka-50Single-seat version.[1]
Kamov Ka-50NKa-50 with night attack capability.[1]
Kamov Ka-50ShKa-50 with improved night attack capability.[1]
Kamov Ka-50-2 "Erdogan"Version with a two-seat tandem cockpit.[1]
Kamov Ka-52 "Alligator"Highly upgraded version with a two-seat side-by-side cockpit for the Russian Air Force.[1]
Kamov Ka-52K "Katran"Naval version with folding blade and reinforced landing gear, wing shortened for basing on ships and the possibility of using Kh-35 anti-ship missile.[1]
Weapons and payload options · 4Confidence · Source
Shipunov 2A42,30mm Autocannon
Med[1]
Quantity
2,000 ea
Type
30mm Autocannon
Caliber
30 mm
S-8 RocketRocket
Med[1]
Range
4 km2 mi · 2 nmi
Quantity
80 separate S-80 Rockets in four B-8 Series Rocket Pods ea
Type
Rocket
Warhead
HEAT
Warhead weight
3.6 kg
Speed
692 m/s
R-60 Missile (AA-8 Aphid")Short-range lightweight infrared homing air-to-air missile
Med[1]
Range
8 km5 mi · 4 nmi
Type
Short-range lightweight infrared homing air-to-air missile
Guidance
Infrared Homing
Warhead
3 kg
Speed
Mach 2.7
Length
2,090 mm
9K121 Vikhr (AT-16 Scallion)Laser-Guided ATGM Missile
Med[1]
Range
10–12 km6–7 mi · 5–6 nmi
Quantity
12 ea
Type
Laser-Guided ATGM Missile
Guidance
Laser beam riding
Warhead
Tandem HEAT charge
Warhead weight
8-12 kg
Speed
600 m/s
Length
2.80 m
Summary

The Ka-50, also nicknamed the Chernaya Akula (Black Shark) was a Soviet attack helicopter. Its NATO reporting name was Hokum.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
Russia
Sources
  1. Ka-50 Black Shark (Hokum A) Russian Attack Helicopter, U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-10 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import
  • 2026-10-10 Added photo (Public domain)