The Kamov Ka-52 Alligator vs the AH-64E Apache Guardian

Which is the greatest modern gunship; The Kamov Ka-52 Alligator or the AH-64E Apache Guardian?

Our analysis is based on the combined score of: The performance, The protection, The firepower.The avionics.

I.The performance:

1- The Kamov Ka-52 Alligator:

The Kamov Ka-52 Alligator it is a multi-role all-weather attack helicopter, capable operating in daytime and at night. Seats are arranged side-by-side. This helicopter can be used as a trainer. Both pilots have full controls of the helicopter. Such arrangement also simplifies work during combat.

The Kamov Ka-52 Alligator is fitted with uprated TV3-117VMA turboshaft engines. It can also fly when one engine is disabled. The Kamov has unique maneuverability, which was derived from its two coaxial contra-rotating main rotors. It is among the most maneuverable helicopters in the world.

Ka-52K Katran, a shipborne version. It was specially developed to operate from Mistral class amphibious assault ships. A prototype was completed for trials and evaluation in 2014. It made its first flight in 2015. This helicopter has shorter stub-wings, system that folds the rotor blades. Also some modifications were made to adapt this helicopter for naval environment.

Country of origin : Russia.

Entered service : 2008.

Crew : 2.

Length : 14 m.

Main rotor diameter : 14.5 m.

Height : 5 m.

Weight (empty) : 8 tonne

Weight (maximum take off) : 10.5 tonne.

Engines : 2 x TV3-117VMA turboshaft.

Engine power : 2 x 2 200 shp.

Maximum speed : 310 km/h.

Service ceiling : 5.5 km.

Range (max payload) : 520 km.

Ferry range : 1200 km.

Endurance : 1 hour 40 minutes.

2- The AH-64E Apache Guardian:

This attack helicopter is operated by a crew of 2, including pilot and gunner. This helicopter is fitted with more powerful General Electric T700-GE-701D engines, developing 1 994 shp instead on the 1 800 shp on the previous versions. Also it has upgraded transmission to coupe with extra power. Maximum speed of this helicopter is up to 300 km/h.

Country of origin : USA.

Entered service : 2011.

Crew : 2.

Length : 18 m.

Main rotor diameter : 14.5 m.

Height : 5 m.

Weight (empty) : 5 tonne

Weight (maximum take off) : 10.5 tonne.

Engines : 2 x General Electric T700-GE-701D turboshaft.

Engine power : 2 x 2000 shp.

Maximum speed : 300 km/h.

Cruising speed : 275 km/h.

Service ceiling : 6.5 km.

Range : 475 km.

So in my view the Kamov Ka-52 Alligator is better than Apache Guardian AH-64E in performance side; the speed, the engines powers, the range and the Kamov it can also fly when one engine is disabled.

Performance total: 
The Kamov Ka-52 Alligator: 4.5/5 
and The AH-64E Apache Guardian: 4/5.

II. The protection:

1- The Kamov Ka-52 Alligator:

Armor of the Alligator withstands hits from 23 mm projectiles. Pilots are seated in ejection seats.

2- The AH-64E Apache Guardian:

The AH-64E has new composite rotor blades. These are designed to withstand hits from 23 mm anti-aircraft guns.

There are numerous features to protect the crew and increase survivability of the helicopter. The airframe is designed to withstand hits from guns of up to 12.7 mm caliber. Rotor blades can withstand hits from 23 mm guns. A large flat-plate canopy is fitted with boran armor. Crew members are seated on crash-resistant seats.

So in my view the Apache Guardian AH-64E is better than Kamov Ka-52 Alligator in protection side; the AH-64E has new composite rotor blades, can withstand hits from 23 mm guns.

Protection total: 
The Kamov Ka-52 Alligator: 4/5 
and The AH-64E Apache Guardian: 4.5/5

III. The firepower:

1- The Kamov Ka-52 Alligator:

The Ka-52 retained all combat capabilities of its predecessor. It is armed with a side-mounted 30 mm cannon. There are six external hardpoints for different combinations of weapons, including anti-tank missiles (Vikhr, Vikhr-M), air-to-air missiles (Igla-V), pods with unguided rockets, bombs. For anti-armor missions it is armed with up to 12 Vikhr ATGMs. These have a range of up to 10 000 m and penetrate up to 1 000 mm of steel armor behind explosive reactive armor. So the Vikhr missiles are capable of defeating even the most protected main battle tanks.

Ka-52K Katran, a shipborne version. This helicopter can carry Kh-31 and Kh-35 anti-ship missiles.

- Cannon : 1 x 30 mm cannon (460 rounds).

- Missiles : 12 x Vikhr (AT-9 Spiral) anti-tank missiles / 4 x Igla-V air-to-air missiles / Kh-31 and Kh-35 anti-ship missiles.

- Other : rocket pods or bombs.

2- The AH-64E Apache Guardian:

The AH-64E comes with a 30 mm M230 cannon with 1 200 rounds of ammunition. It has 4 hardpoint on stub wings and can carry various missiles. Armament is being tailored, depending on mission requirements. The AH-64E can carry up to 16 AGM-114R Hellfire 2 anti-tank guided missiles. For self-defense against hostile helicopters the Apache Guardian can carry up to two AIM-9 Sidewinder, four AIM-92 Stinger, or four Mistral air-to-air missiles. It can also carry two AGM-122 Sidearm air-to-ground anti-radiation missiles that can target hostile radars. The gunship is often equipped with 19-shot pods with Hydra 70 unguided rockets. The helicopter can carry up to 4 of these pods.

Cannon : 1 x 30 mm cannon (1 200 rounds).

Missiles : 16 x AGM-114L Hellfire-2 anti-tank missiles, 4 x AIM-92 Stinger, or 4 x Mistral, or 2 x AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, 2 x AGM-122 Sidearm anti-radiation missiles.

Other : 19-shot pods with Hydra 70 unguided rockets.

So in my view the Kamov Ka-52 Alligator is better than Apache Guardian AH-64E in firepower side; the range of fire missile Vikhr-m (10.000 m) butter than missile Hellfire-2 (7000-9000 m), the armor penetration of Vikhr it is 1000 mm behind ERA but the missile Hellfire-2 Just 800 mm. The Ka-52 can carry Kh-31 and Kh-35 anti-ship missiles.

Firepower total: 
The Kamov Ka-52 Alligator: 4.5/5 
and The AH-64E Apache Guardian: 4/5.

IV. The avionics.

1- The Kamov Ka-52 Alligator:

The Kamov has a battlefield management system. It can exchange data with similar helicopters or other helicopter types, as well as third party sources. This helicopter is also intended as an aerial command post for a group of helicopters. It provides target detection and coordinates the attacks.

2- The AH-64E Apache Guardian:

This gunship comes with new sensors, avionics and has improved night operation capabilities. Furthermore the AH-64E helicopter can control a couple of UAVs.

The AH-64E has infra-red suppressing exhaust system and is equipped with chaff and flare dispensers. Bothe of these features combined reduce the chance of being hit by enemy air defense missiles.

This attack helicopter might be fitted with a Longbow fire control radar, which is also used on the previous AH-64D variant. It gives the capability to fire AGM-114R Hellfire-2 anti-tank guided missiles in fire-and-forget mode. Without this radar the Hellfire-2 missiles are launched in the line-of-sight manner. The radar can detect, classify and prioritise 12 targets simultaneously, and can see through the fog a smoke, that foils infra-red or TV sensors.

So in my view the Apache Guardian AH-64E is better than Kamov Ka-52 Alligator in avionics side; the AH-64E has infra-red suppressing exhaust system and a Longbow fire control radar, it gives the capability to fire AGM-114R Hellfire-2 anti-tank guided missiles in fire-and-forget mode.

Avionics total: 
The Kamov Ka-52 Alligator: 3.5/5 and The AH-64E Apache Guardian: 4.5/5

Total all: 
The Kamov Ka-52 Alligator: 16.5/20 
and the AH-64E Apache Guardian: 17/20

All of the attack helicopters mentioned here are incredibly powerful and devastating. Crew training of the helicopter is also important, as performance of the actual machine depends from the crew performance.