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| Science & Technology |
| Black Shark budget battles-pt. 1 |
| 2007-02-23 |
| In the early 21st century, all Russian army aviation, including helicopter units, was re-subordinated to the allegedly development-oriented Russian Air Force. This decision did not make much sense because all Russia's cash-strapped armed services were unable to acquire modern military equipment at the turn of the century. The Air Force, for example, which only got the first new Sukhoi Su-34 Fullback tactical bombers in late 2006, managed to upgrade just a few aircraft per year, starting with 1992. Consequently, Air Force generals cared little about helicopter units. The Ka-50 faced additional problems after the re-subordination because Army Gen. Vladimir Mikhailov, commander of the Russian Air Force, preferred the Mil Mi-28 Havoc attack helicopter that had lost out to the Ka-50 in 1984. This choice was justified because the Mi-28's maneuverability had improved greatly by 1999. The helicopter also received thicker armor, more powerful weaponry and was renamed the Mi-28N Night Hunter, meaning it could operate round the clock. The Mi-28 was fitted with 16 long-range anti-tank guided missiles, developed at the famous Kolomna-based Machine-Building Design Bureau, which could pierce thick armor. For comparison, the Ka-50 had only 12 such missiles, contributed by the Tula Instrument Engineering Design Bureau. Gen. Mikhailov's decision to adopt the Mi-28N can probably be explained by the fact that before being transferred to Moscow, he had commanded an air army in Rostov-on-Don, the city where the Rostvertol helicopter plant manufacturing Mi-8 Hip, Mi-17 Hip, Mi-24 Hind, Mi-26 Halo and Mi-28-N Havoc models, is located. Though, this is mere conjecture because any new weapons systems are adopted through a collective decision-making process involving different experts. However, the Mi-28N unexpectedly became more popular than the Ka-50. In December 2003, Gen. Mikhailov said the Mi-28N will become Russia's main attack helicopter, and will be supplied to all helicopter units. Commenting on the future of Kamov helicopters, Mikhailov said Ka-50 models will only serve with special weapons and tactics, or SWAT, units. Fifteen years ago, when the two helicopters were fighting for their place under the Sun, I asked the late Mark Vainberg, general designer in charge of the Mi-28 project, which of the two models he preferred. Vainberg replied it was like choosing between the left and the right eye, because one has to keep both eyes open in combat. In his opinion, success in battle depends on the generals' ability to prudently use their units and on the inherent advantages of each weapon and weapons-control system, rather than on weaponry, even the most advanced. Unlike the Mi-28, which is mostly intended to attack ground targets, the Ka-50 can destroy enemy helicopters and aircraft more effectively. No universal weapon exists because all weapons systems supplement each other. But two or three flights of these helicopters can effectively cover the entire forward edge of the battle area, or FEBA. Rostvertol officials confirmed this opinion, saying at the latest aerospace show in Zhukovsky that it would be incorrect to compare the Mi-28 and the Ka-50. |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |