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Aviation History
1996
1996 - 3113.PDF
HEADLINES French give Kamov's Alligator more bite ALEX VELOVICH/MOSCOW JULIAN MOXON/PARIS FRENCH manufacturers have supplied key avionics items for a new export version ofthe Kamov Ka-50 Hokum attack helicopter. The Russian helicopter builder is preparing for the first flight ofthe Alligator two-seat all-weather/ night-attack derivative of the Hokum. The helicopter is believed to be aimed primarily at an Indian defence requirement. The design bureau intends to unveil the side-by-side twin-seat Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter at the Bangalore air show, to be held in India starting on 3 De cember. According to Sergey Mik- heyev, chief designer at Kamov, the Ka-52 has 85% parts commonality with the single-seat Ka-50. Sextant Avionique is acting as the avionics systems integrator on the programme. This covers equipping the Ka-52 with a Thomson-CSF forward-looking infra-red, as well as supplying its own head-down display system, navigation and attack system, helmet-mounted displays, image intensifiers and a global-positioning-system receiv- A French-flavoured cockpit inside, R-73 Kh-25 missiles outside er.lt is one of several Russian avia tion programmes to which France is now contributing. The Ka-52'sSamshit-E weapons control system includes TV, laser, and radar components in four sen sor installations: chin-mounted; under the fuselage; on top of the fuselage between the engines; and in a ball on top ofthe co-axial rotor. The last, a millimetre-wave radar, is to be installed later. Mikheyev says that die Alligator -»- die nickname arose because of its flat nose — could be employed as a lead aircraft in a mixed forma tion. The Ka-52 would be used to detect targets and then hand them off to single-seat Ka-50s. Both Ka-52 crew members have full flight controls, but one normally acts as a weapons systems officer or helicopter group commander. The twin-seat configuration downgrades die flight perfor mance, but to "an acceptable extent", according to Mikheyev. Withl0,400kg take-off weight the Alligator has an 11,500ft (3,500m) service ceiling, compared to 13,000ft ofthe Ka-50, while the maximum acceleration is reduced from 3.5 to 3G. The maximum speed in horizontal flight is 167kt (31 Okm/h) and not-to exceed speed in a shallow dive 189kt. Mikheyev says that the Ka-52 is ready for first flight, but this is being postponed until possibly early in 1997 as the helicopter is being exhibited at Bangalore. In ternational marketing of the Ka- 50/52 will be the responsibility of VPKMAPO, which Kamovjoined earlier this year. VPK MAPO is using its own resources for the Ka- 52 development. Kamov officials say that the Ka-52 could enter series production at the Arsenyev Progress plant as early as 1997. • BAe pushes its maritime ambitions for Atlas BRITISH AEROSPACE is in advanced negotiations to take a stake in Germany's STN Atlas Elektronik, in' a renewed attempt build up its naval-systems business. BAe confirms that it is in discus sions to take a share in the STN Adas business, which has come onto die market following the col lapse of its parent die German shipping group Bremer Vulkan. Details ofthe deal have not been confirmed but are understood to involve BAe taking a stake of up to 49%, with die remainder being taken by German industrial and defence group Rheinmetall. Other German groups are also been linked widi a possible deal. Bremen-based STN Adas em ploys around 4,500 and has annual sales of around DM1.5 billion ($ 1 billion), of which at least half are in naval systems for submarines, ships and weapons. The business also has a small (DM100 million) aerospace operation which manu factures unmanned air vehicles. BAe has been looking for new ways to develop its own Sema naval systems business after losing to GEC in the bid to take over the UK warship yard VSEL two years ago. • Horizon comes into view at N6AA RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT took its first three orders for the $14.5 million Hawker Horizon "super mid-size" business jet within hours of unveiling at NBAA in Orlando a one-third-scale model ofthe aircraft, which is scheduled to be flown in late 1999 and certificated by June 2001. Raytheon describes the Horizon as "the biggest and best Hawker yet". The Pratt & Whitney Canada PW308A-powered aircraft will replace the Hawker 1000. Raytheon is planning to build 20-25 Horizons a yeax.See NBAA show coverage, pages 8-12. R-R, Alliance court Snecma's interest ROLLS-ROYCE chairman Sir Ralph Robins has invited French manufacturer Snecma to join the UK company's Trent 900 engine programme, which was launched earlier this year to power growth versions ofthe Boeing 747, and the Airbus A3 XX. "We would like to see more European co-operation on the Trent 900 and we are favourable to any opportunities diat present themselves, either with Snecma or with other companies", said Robbins, in a speech to the Franco- British chamber of commerce in Paris in mid-November. Snecma president Jean-Paul Bechat now finds his company being cdurted on both sides ofthe Atlantic,'with the General Elec- tric-Pratt & Whitney Engine Al liance also keen to sign up Snecma for its rival GP7000 project. • FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 27 November - 3 December 1996 5
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