Kamov Ka-52 in the Syrian conflict

The first Russian combat helicopters Ka-52 arrived in Syria in March 2916, and the following month they were used for the first time in battles near the village of Homs.

The lessons learned from the use of Ka-52 combat helicopters in the Syrian conflict are invaluable. The Russians made the most of the war in Syria to gain tactical and operational experience, quickly build up flight personnel in the face of enemy opposition, and acquire the skill of maintaining a high degree of Ka-52 flight readiness in combat operations. abroad, and the helicopters themselves have earned a reputation as battle-tested machines.

The Mi-28N and Ka-52 combat helicopters were supposed to reinforce the strike force of the Russian Expeditionary Force in Syria, as well as increase the attractiveness of the proposals of Mil and Kamov in the international arms markets. Mi-28N and Ka-52 helicopters appeared in Syria in March 2016 (preparatory work began in November 2015), they were delivered by An-124 heavy transport aircraft (two helicopters were transported in one flight). After checking and flying around, they were put into action in early April in the area of ​​​​the city of Homs.

Russian Mi-24Ps in Syria then supplemented 4 Mi-28Ns and 4 Ka-52s (they replaced Mi-35M attack helicopters). The number of Kamov vehicles sent to Syria has never been made public, but it is at least nine helicopters - so many are identified by tail numbers (including one lost, we will talk later). It is difficult to tie individual types to specific scopes because they acted as needed in different places. However, it can be pointed out that in the case of the Mi-28N and Ka-52, the main areas of activity were the desert regions of central and eastern Syria. Helicopters were used mainly to fight Islamic State militants.

The main tasks performed by Ka-52 combat helicopters are: fire support, escort of transport and combat helicopters in sea and airborne operations, as well as independent search and fight against targets. In the last task, a pair of helicopters (rarely one car) control the selected area, searching for and attacking the enemy, with the priority being the fight against Islamist vehicles. Operating at night, the Ka-52 uses the Arbalet-52 radar station (built in the front of the fuselage) and the GOES-451 optoelectronic surveillance and target designation station.

All helicopters of the aviation of the Russian Ground Forces in Syria are concentrated in one squadron. It is interesting that the commanding staff, with a large raid on old technology, can fly on different types. One of the Ka-52 pilots mentions that during the Syrian mission he also flew Mi-8AMTZ combat transport helicopters. As for pilots and navigators, the best and the best go to Syria, including those who participate in the "helicopter" part of the Victory Parade on Red Square in Moscow or in the cyclic air combat and combat operations "Aviadarts".

Aircraft and helicopter identities are classified, making it difficult to identify specific pilots and units. The author was able to confirm that the officers, in particular, from the 15th LWL brigade from Ostrov near Pskov (Western Military District). The identification of the crew of the Ka-52, lost on the night of May 6-7, 2018, indicates that the 18th LVL brigade from Khabarovsk (Eastern Military District) was also involved in Syria. However, it can be assumed that pilots, navigators and technicians from other units of the Ground Forces of the RF Armed Forces equipped with this type of equipment also pass through Syria.

In Syria, combat helicopters Mi-28N and Ka-52 are mainly used by S-8 unguided rockets of 80 mm caliber with high-explosive action - they fire from 20 V-8W20A guide blocks, less often 9M120-1 "Attack-1". anti-tank guided missiles (including the 9M120F-1 version equipped with a thermobaric warhead) and 9A4172K "Vihr-1". After the launch of the 9M120-1 “Ataka-1” and 9A4172K “Vihr-1” missiles, they are guided in combination - at the first stage of the flight semi-automatically by radio, and then by a coded laser beam. They are very fast: 9A4172K “Vihr-1” overcomes the maximum distance of 10 m in 000 s, 28 m in 8000 s and 21 m in 6000 s. Unlike 14M9-120 “Ataka-1”, the maximum distance of 1 m overcomes in 6000 s.