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Russian Helicopters

Ka-50 Black Shark

A single-seat Russian attack helicopter notable for its coaxial contra-rotating rotors, which remove the need for a tail rotor, and for being the only production attack helicopter fitted with an ejection seat. Its single-pilot design and high agility made it a testbed for the technology later adapted into the twin-seat Ka-52.

In service since 1995 · 1 operator countries

Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02

310

km/h

470

km range

5,500

m ceiling

2,000

kg payload

Several performance figures for Russia-origin systems are manufacturer or state claims with limited independent verification. Treat these specs as directional, not tested values.

Pricing: Unit cost not consistently publicly disclosed

Procurement snapshot

Availability & export

Russian state channel

Rosoboronexport monopoly; Western sanctions exposure and payment/logistics risk for many buyers.

Channel: Rosoboronexport (state)

Fielded & proven

Limited · 1 operator

In service since 1995. Status: legacy · ~15 built.

Lifecycle cost (est.)

No public unit price to model from.

Interoperability

No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.

Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.

Compatible munitions & weapons

Publicly reported weapons the Ka-50 Black Shark can carry. Linked items have a full spec page.

9K121 Vikhr anti-tank missile S-8 rockets

R-73 air-to-air missile

Full specifications

Performance

Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.

Max speed Maximum level speed. For aircraft this is at optimal altitude; for ground vehicles, top road speed. Higher means faster response and better kinematic performance.: 310 km/h

Stronger than 72% of helicopters
Cruise speed Sustained economical speed. Determines transit time to station.: 260 km/h

Stronger than 55% of helicopters
Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence.: 470 km

Stronger than 20% of helicopters
Service ceiling Maximum operating altitude. Higher gives energy advantage and sensor horizon.: 5,500 m

Stronger than 41% of helicopters
Rate of climb How fast the aircraft gains altitude. Higher means better energy recovery in combat.: 10 m/s

Stronger than 27% of helicopters

Firepower

Armament, payload and guidance.

Main armament Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type.: 30 mm 2A42 autocannon
Hardpoints External stations for weapons and pods. More means bigger and more flexible loadouts.: 4

Stronger than 43% of helicopters
Weapons payload Maximum ordnance weight the platform can carry. Higher means more strike capacity per sortie.: 2,000 kg

Stronger than 78% of helicopters

Protection

Armor, countermeasures and survivability.

Armor Armor technology: composite, modular, ERA-fitted, uranium-ceramic. Exact compositions are classified.: Armored cockpit tub with K-37-800 zero-zero ejection seat
Countermeasures Self-protection: chaff, flares, DIRCM, towed decoys, smoke dischargers, jammers.: chaff, flares, exhaust IR suppressors

Physical

Dimensions, weight and crew.

Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.: 13.5 m
Height Overall height. Lower profile is harder to spot and hit for ground vehicles.: 4.93 m
Empty weight Weight without fuel, ammunition or crew.: 7,700 kg
Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor.: 9,800 kg
Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity.: 1

Propulsion

Engine, power and fuel.

Engine Powerplant model and type.: 2x Klimov VK-2500/TV3-117VMA turboshaft, 2200 hp each
Engines Number of engines. Twin-engine gives redundancy at higher cost.: 2
Engine power Engine output power. Higher moves more weight faster.: 2,200 hp

Stronger than 71% of helicopters
Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet…: Turboshaft

Sensors & avionics

Radar, sensor suite and datalinks.

Sensors IRST, EO/IR turrets, laser designators, sniper pods, thermal sights.: Shkval-V electro-optical sighting system, helmet-mounted display
Thermal imaging Thermal sights for night and obscured-visibility operations.: Yes

Program

Cost, production scale and operators.

Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability.: 15

Bottom 8% of helicopters
Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem.: 1

Stronger than 18% of helicopters

Specifications compiled from public Russian Helicopters and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the top speed of the Russian Helicopters Ka-50 Black Shark? +

The Russian Helicopters Ka-50 Black Shark has a maximum speed of 310 km/h.

What is the range of the Russian Helicopters Ka-50 Black Shark? +

The Russian Helicopters Ka-50 Black Shark has a maximum range of 470 km.

What is the weapons payload of the Russian Helicopters Ka-50 Black Shark? +

The Russian Helicopters Ka-50 Black Shark can carry up to 2,000 kg of weapons payload.

How much does the Russian Helicopters Ka-50 Black Shark weigh? +

The Russian Helicopters Ka-50 Black Shark has a combat weight of 9,800 kg.

How many crew does the Russian Helicopters Ka-50 Black Shark require? +

The Russian Helicopters Ka-50 Black Shark requires a crew of 1.

What is the main armament of the Russian Helicopters Ka-50 Black Shark? +

The Russian Helicopters Ka-50 Black Shark's primary weapon is the 30 mm 2A42 autocannon.

What engine does the Russian Helicopters Ka-50 Black Shark use? +

The Russian Helicopters Ka-50 Black Shark is powered by the 2x Klimov VK-2500/TV3-117VMA turboshaft, 2200 hp each.

What is the Russian Helicopters Ka-50 Black Shark used for? +

The Russian Helicopters Ka-50 Black Shark is a helicopter typically used for close air support, anti armor.

How many countries operate the Russian Helicopters Ka-50 Black Shark? +

The Russian Helicopters Ka-50 Black Shark is operated by 1 countries.

How much does the Russian Helicopters Ka-50 Black Shark cost? +

Russian Helicopters Ka-50 Black Shark: Unit cost not consistently publicly disclosed. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.