All according to the laws of the genre. Or show business. If people start to forget about the star, it is necessary to make a scandal. Our hero is not a star at all, because scandals are not needed, but some media outlets, with a light filing of the same “Zvezda”, suddenly started talking.
It would seem, who needs it?
But at the Dubai Airshow 2019 held in Dubai, the head of our Rostec, Mr. Serdyukov, for some reason mentioned the Ka-52K.
In vain, I guess.
Mr. Serdyukov did not say anything new, with the exception of confirmation that the purchase of "Katrans" was planned in the State Arms Program for 2018-2027. And work on the "Katrans", which, by the way, this year still completed the test program (quite successfully), will be continued.
Only one question arises: why? "Cui prodest", as the ancient Romans used to say. Who benefits from?
It is completely incomprehensible to whom it is profitable.
The helicopter, which was quickly constructed at the Kamov Design Bureau, is of no use to anyone. That's absolutely anyone. With the exception of Egypt, which got the ill-fated Mistrals, for which the Katran was developed.
So "Katrana" for Egypt is the only ray of light, then, forgive me, darkness.
I will quote Serdyukov:
“Let me remind you that four prototypes of the Ka-52K have been manufactured, which are now at the Kamov base and are ready to continue testing. But we need carriers that have not yet been identified."
No media identified. This is where it all ends. A point, and such a bold one …
Well, the head of Rostec recalled that we have a ship version of the Ka-52. Sense from this zero, and complete. Simply because so far there are two ships, and they are not Russian, which can carry the Katrans.
Egyptian ships and carry. There are no more carriers and are not expected in the near future.
Someone might say that the Ka-52K can be used on other ships and for other purposes. Good. At one time, a colleague Kirill Ryabov quite clearly highlighted these nuances here:
Prospects for the Ka-52: shipborne helicopters without ships.
Therefore, just a quote from Ryabov:
“During the tests in September 2011, the Ka-52 helicopter landed on the stern platform of the large anti-submarine ship Vice-Admiral Kulakov (project 1155). The regular aviation group BPK pr. 1155 consists of two Ka-27PL anti-submarine helicopters. For storage and maintenance of this equipment, such ships have two semi-sunken hangars in the stern superstructure. The known information about the dimensions of the Ka-27PL and Ka-52K helicopters suggests that the Katran is quite capable of fitting into the hangar of the BOD pr. 1155”.
And one and only question: why?
Why a large anti-submarine ship needs helicopters (two) Ka-27PL (anti-submarine equipment) is understandable. The ship fights submarines, and here a long search arm in the form of helicopters is quite good for itself.
The Ka-27PL has everything that is necessary for this, namely the "Octopus", a search and sighting system that is able to detect a submarine at a depth of 100 meters from a very decent distance of 8-15 km.
"Octopus" consists of a radar "Initiative-2KM" in the nose of the fuselage and a descending hydroacoustic station VGS-3 ("Ros-V"), located in the rear of the fuselage.
In addition, the equipment includes a set of transponder radio beacons, 36 hydroacoustic buoys, signal (reference) naval aerial bombs (OMAB-N and OMAB-D).
To destroy submarines, there are AT-1MV anti-submarine torpedoes, APR-23 missiles and PLAB anti-submarine aerial bombs of caliber 50 and 250 kg.
That is, the ship is equipped with two helicopters capable of finding and, if not destroying the enemy's submarine, then significantly complicate its work in the area.
Katran has none of this.
This is an ordinary army land helicopter, equipped in exactly the same way as its simple Ka-52 counterparts. Even the radar "Crossbow" is the same.
In general, this is an attack helicopter for work on land targets. And despite the fact that he can be shoved into the BOD hangar, he has absolutely nothing to do there.
Two anti-submarine helicopters on board the anti-submarine ship are a serious help in combat work. The two ground attack helicopters are laughter.
What's in store for Katrana?
Nothing awaits them. This is a helicopter that was built for two (okay, four in the very distant future) assault landing ships. We do not have these ships and never will.
The released copies, which began to be built before the arrival of the Mistrals, of course, must be transferred to the service. In fact, the helicopter differs only in folding units, but this is exactly the same Ka-52. So it was definitely not in vain that they collected it.
Plus, it will be easier to transport, at least some plus.
I must say that this is a normal practice in the world. It happens that a seemingly excellent weapon “does not fire”.
As an example, I would instantly like to cite the Belgian FN F2000 assault complex.
Polymers in the design, a plastic easily removable forend, in place of which various additional modules can be installed: a laser designator, a flashlight, a 40-mm grenade launcher, an M303 "non-lethal" module designed for firing capsules containing paint or tear gas, a shotgun barrel and much more …
A computerized fire control module with a laser rangefinder and a ballistic computer that controls the firing of both an assault rifle and a grenade launcher, setting the aiming mark of the sight both for firing from the assault rifle itself and from an under-barrel grenade launcher, based on data on the distance to the target.
But I didn't look at anyone. Either the complexity of the design (although both right-handers and left-handers can work), or the price … As a result, 9 countries bought the miracle complex, and even then they bought it rather at retail, to arm professionals from special forces.
Yes, the purchase by the Saudis of a huge party for their National Guard is not an indicator. In Saudi Arabia, it is known that there is nowhere to put money, but where is the good army and where are the Saudis?
The same will happen with "Katran".
Maybe someone will take it. That is why Serdyukov reminded him. We have something to offer if you are interested. But the Ka-52K simply has no future, because there are no carriers for it. And apparently it won't.
So the destiny of "Katran" is to be a regular at exhibitions and salons as an export ship version of the land attack Ka-52.
But there is nothing sad or terrible in this. The project with "Mistrals" just didn't work out, that's all. If in general the Ka-52 as a model were discontinued because of this, then yes, it would be a regrettable fact. And so - it's a matter of everyday life …
