The Russian helicopter Ka-52 Alligator, made a successful demonstration flight at the Le Bourget air show that opened outside Paris on Monday, June 17.

A Russian Helicopters delegation said “the organisers of the air show particularly noted the flight of the Russian helicopter Ka-52 Alligator on the first day of the international air show in Le Bourget.”

“We are also pleased by the demonstration flight of our helicopter,” the delegation said.

Developed by Kamov Design Bureau, Ka-52 is a twin-seat variant of the Ka-50 attack helicopter.

The new generation all-weather day-and-night combat helicopter Ka-52 is designed for killing enemy hard and soft ground targets, low-speed aerial targets and personnel at the front line and in tactical depth, for surveillance missions and control of attack combat helicopter team. Helicopter is provided with concealment devices, electronic countermeasure system and active countermeasures. Design of the helicopter meets the requirements of Russian and international standards for combat helicopters and their operation.

The first Ka-52 helicopter was rolled out in December 1996. The helicopter made its first flight in June 1997. The serial production of Ka-52 began in 2008 at Progress Arsenyev Aviation plant in Primorsky Territory in the Russian Far East.

The Ka-52 helicopter can fly at a maximum altitude of 5,500 metres. The maximum and cruise speeds of the helicopter are 300 kilometres per hour and 260 kilometres per hour, respectively. The helicopter can climb at a rate of 12 metres per second. The Ka-52 has a practical flight range of 460 kilometres, while its ferry flight range is 1,110 kilometres.

Russian Helicopters, which includes the Kamov, Mil, and Kazan design bureaus, is a subsidiary of Oboronprom, which in turn is a part of State Corporation Russian Technologies. It is one of the global leaders in helicopter production and the only helicopter design and production powerhouse in Russia. Russian Helicopters is headquartered in Moscow. The company comprises five helicopter production facilities, two design bureaus, a spare parts production and repair facility, as well as an aftersale service branch responsible for maintenance and repair in Russia and all over the world. Its helicopters are popular among Russian ministries and state authorities (Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Emergency Control Ministry), operators (Gazpromavia, UTair), major Russian corporations. Over 8000 helicopters of Soviet/Russian make are operated in 110 countries worldwide. Traditionally the demand is highest in the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Russia, and CIS countries. Russian Helicopters was established in 2007. In 2012 its IFRS revenues increased 21 percent to 125.7 billion roubles, and deliveries reached 290 helicopters.