D
Air ForcesRussia

Ka-52 Alligator

Attack helicopterIn serviceFielded 2008Pending verification

Also known as: Kamov Ka-52 Alligator, Hokum B

Air ForcesRUS
Ka-52 Alligator
Photo: Alex Beltyukov · CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeAttack helicopter
Alternative designationsKamov Ka-52 Alligator, Hokum B
Date of introduction2008
ProliferationAt least 4 countries
ManufacturerKamovMed[1]
Crew2Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Wingspan7.34 m24 ftMed[1]
Height4.95 m16 ftMed[1]
Empty weight8,550 kg18,850 lbMed[1]
Flight performance
Engine2 x turboshaft Klimov TV3-117VMA-SB3Med[1]
Thrust / power2,400 shaft hp eachMed[1]
Rate of climb480 m/minMed[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 Systempassive and active electronic warfare systemsMed[1]
Counter Measures (Chaff/Flares)can be loaded on pylons as requiredMed[1]
Decoys23-mm rejector pods loaded on tip pylons as required, 32 decoys per podMed[1]
Armament and payload
Hardpoints6 total (1 inner, 1 middle, 1 tip on each wing)Med[1]
Payload2,800 kg6,173 lbMed[1]
Wing Mounted WeaponsThe ka-52 can also equip: INNER PYLON Rockets: B-8 V-20 80-mm rocket pod carrying 20 S-80 rockets Bombs: UPK-23-250 250-kg FAB-250 bomb 500-kg FAB-500 bomb 500-kg KAB-500Kr bomb KMGU cluster bomb Anti-Radar: Kh-25MP (AS-10 Kegler) missile MIDDLE PYLON…Med[1]
CVI: WEFT: wingsCoaxial contra-rotating rotor blades. Weapon load mount wings are straight.Med[1]
CVI: WEFT: engineEngine vector exhaust, Dual air inlets.Med[1]
CVI: WEFT: fuselage2 x pilots sit side-by-side under wide canopy, Large airplane-type nose to house the radar system, Retractable landing gear. 30mm chain gun mounted on fuselage (right side).Med[1]
CVI: WEFT: tailNo tail rotor in this configuration. Single vertical stabilizer.Med[1]
Armament1 x Shipunov 2A42,; S-8 Rocket; R-60 Missile (AA-8 Aphid"); 9K121 Vikhr (AT-16 Scallion)Med[1]
Fire control
Fire Control System TypeSamshit-E systemMed[1]
Fire Control RadarArbalet RadarMed[1]
Sighting SystemShkval electro-optical sighting systemMed[1]
Night VisionSamshit-E opticsMed[1]
IFFYes, Slap Shot SystemMed[1]
Data LinkYes, with ground unitsMed[1]
Flight ComputerMulti-level digital flight computerMed[1]
Navigation SystemNadir-10 navigation systemMed[1]
Radar Warning ReceiverPastel (L-150) radar warning receiverMed[1]
Laser Warning SystemMak (L-136) infrared and Otklik (L-140) laser warning systemsMed[1]
Turret sensorGOES-451 sensorMed[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]
Ka-52MThe new version announced by the Russian Ministry of Defense in 2018 eventually crystalized into the Ka-52M; 114 helicopters of this new version are to be acquired. Additionally, older Ka-52s are to be upgraded to Ka-52M standard.[1]
Weapons and payload options · 4Confidence · Source
Shipunov 2A42 30 mm cannonAutocannon
Med[1]
Quantity
460 ea
Type
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 Kamov Ka-52 "Alligator" (Hokum-B) is an upgraded form of the original Ka-50 "Hokum" attack helicopter line. While the Ka-50 utilized a single-seat cockpit, the most notable difference in the new mark is the twin-seat, side-by-side cockpit.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
EgyptNorth MacedoniaRussia
Sources
  1. Ka-52 Alligator (Hokum B) 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
  • 2026-10-05 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
  • 2026-10-06 Added photo (CC BY-SA 3.0)