Kamov Ka-50 Black Shark

The Kamov Ka‑50 Black Shark, introduced by the Russian design bureau Kamov in the early 1990s, was the world’s first operational single‑seat attack helicopter. Development began in 1979 under the project name V‑80, aiming to create a compact, highly maneuverable combat rotorcraft capable of autonomous operation in harsh environments. First flight occurred on 22 February 1982, and after extensive testing the helicopter entered limited service with the Russian Air Force in 1995.

Key features set the Ka‑50 apart from its contemporaries. Its distinctive coaxial contra‑rotating rotor system eliminates the need for a tail rotor, providing greater lift efficiency, a smaller footprint, and exceptional agility in low‑speed flight. The airframe is built around a titanium and composite structure that offers high strength‑to‑weight ratios and extensive armor protection for the pilot. Avionics include a night‑vision capable FLIR, a digital flight‑control system, and a multi‑mode weapon suite comprising 9‑M311 guided rockets, S‑8 rockets, and a 30 mm cannon mounted on the right side of the fuselage. An ejection seat, a rarity for helicopters, enhances survivability.

The Ka‑50’s innovative design influenced later models such as the Ka‑52 Duo, cementing Kamov’s reputation for pioneering rotorcraft technology and demonstrating the viability of single‑pilot attack helicopters in modern warfare.

Kamov

Kamov Ka-50 Black Shark

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