Kamov V-80

Kamov

Industry	Aerospace
Founded	1929
Headquarters	Moscow , Russia

Template:More footnotes The Kamov V-80 was originally a conceptual designation for an attack helicopter that ultimately developed into the single-seat Kamov Ka-50 series.

Design and development

The initial design phase of the V-80 (which later became the Ka-50) commenced at the Kamov Helicopter Plant in 1971. The project was overseen by Sergey Mikheyev, the bureau’s chief designer who eventually rose to the position of Designer General. Initially, the V-80 was intended primarily to provide battlefield air cover for ground forces by engaging hostile aircraft. Consequently, it was planned to be equipped with a fixed cannon and air-to-air missile armament.

In 1976, following the American attack helicopter competition won by the AH-64 Apache, the Soviet Union commissioned a comparable helicopter from the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant design bureau. Kamov responded by proposing an alternative helicopter in the same category, leading to a competitive process between the two bureaus. Both organizations had already accumulated significant expertise in rotary-wing aircraft design and production by this point.

Kamov’s submission for this contest closely mirrored their original 1971 V-80 concept and retained its designation; it was also referred to as "Izdeliye 800". This design was presented to the Soviet Air Force in December 1977 and received approval. Subsequently, a full-scale mock-up was constructed and approved in May 1980. By August of that year, Kamov was instructed to build two prototype helicopters for testing. The design team believed that automation could integrate piloting, navigation, target acquisition, and weapon tracking functions sufficiently to allow operation by a single pilot. After studying the roles of pilot and weapons operator in the Mil Mi-24, they determined that one crew member often remained underutilized during combat. Additionally, Kamov helicopters had traditionally incorporated high levels of automation; for example, the Kamov Ka-25 was operable by a solo pilot. A single-seat configuration enabled considerable weight savings, which were then allocated to enhancing firepower, survivability, and simplifying maintenance.

The adoption of coaxial rotors contributed to greater agility, reduced vibration levels, and a more compact profile. The absence of a tail rotor also eliminated a vulnerable component. Several measures were implemented to improve pilot protection:Template:Fix/category

• Engines were mounted on opposite sides of the fuselage so that a single hit would not disable both powerplants

• The helicopter was capable of sustained flight using only one engine under various operating conditions

• The cockpit featured armor composed of combined steel and aluminum plates along with armored Plexiglas glazing

• The hydraulic steering system compartment was armored and shielded

• Critical systems were protected by positioning them behind less vital components

• Fuel tanks were self-sealing and filled with polyurethane foam

• Composite materials were employed to maintain structural integrity despite damage to load-bearing elements

• A dual-contour rotor blade spar was developed for enhanced durability

• Control rods were enlarged in diameter and routed within the armored cockpit area

• Fire protection was applied to powerplant compartments adjacent to fuel tanks

• The transmission system could operate for 30 minutes even if oil pressure was lost

• Redundant power supply systems and control circuits were installed on opposite sides of the airframe

• Pilot personal protection equipment was included

The armor consisted of spaced aluminum plates weighing over 300 kg integrated into the fuselage’s load-bearing framework, which helped minimize overall weight. Testing by GosNIIAS validated pilot protection against 20mm caliber cannon rounds and shell fragments.

A distinctive characteristic of this helicopter is its rocket-parachute ejection system designed for emergency escape. This system utilizes the K-37-800 ejection seat developed by Zvezda Scientific Production Association under Chief Designer Guy Severin. Pilot safety was further enhanced by an undercarriage designed to absorb significant impact forces during emergency landings. The cockpit structure includes a crush zone capable of deforming up to 10–15% on impact. Additionally, the fuel system is engineered to prevent fires following harsh landings.Template:Fix/category

An earlier concept from approximately 1975 depicted a two-seat aircraft with an airframe similar to the V-60 model, featuring widely spaced downward-facing vertical stabilizers, a fixed forward-firing GSh-23L cannon mounted in the fuselage, two stub wings each bearing one hardpoint, and retractable landing gear housed within a pod. Subsequent studies explored innovative aspects such as variable azimuth stub wings, biplane stub wing or canard configurations, additional fuselage hardpoints, exhaust ejection on either side of the tail to reduce heat signature, depressible forward-firing guns, as well as both single-seat and two-seat variants. Specifications indicated an empty weight around 4000 kg and maximum takeoff weight near 6500 kg.Template:Fix/category

The first prototype V-80 (Bort 010) rolled out from Kamov’s production facility in June 1982. On June 17th, test pilot Nikolay Bezdetnov performed its initial hover flight; subsequently, on July 27th, it completed its maiden circuit flight.

The prototype version designated V-80Sh-1 served as the basis for what became the Ka-50 production model. On December 14th, 1987, the Soviet Council of Ministers authorized production of this attack helicopter. Following comprehensive flight and systems testing, an initial production batch was ordered in 1990. The helicopter was publicly identified as "Ka-50" for the first time at a symposium held in the United Kingdom in March 1992.

See also

Bibliography

• Donald, David and Daniel J March. "Ka-50/52, Kamov's 'Hokum' series". Modern Battlefield Warplanes. AIRtime Publishing, 2004. ISBN 1-880588-76-5.
• "Ka-50" by A. Mazepov
• "Ka-50 Verwolf" by S. Moroz AviO 3
• "OKB N.I. Kamov’s"