New Sovietskiy Modified Kamov Ka-50 Hokum-A/B Helicopters:

The Ka-50 Black Shark helicopter, developed by Kamov Helicopters JSC, carries the NATO codename Hokum A, Hokum B being the two-seat version, Ka-52. Ka-50 was originally known as Werewolf and the Ka-52 has been called the Alligator when it was designed. Some export variants are still referred to was the "Werewolf" in other nations.

It entered service in the Russian Army during 1995 in very limited numbers and did not enter full production at the Sazykin Aviation Plant until 2005. Based in the Arseniev maritime Territory, Russia SSR, after the reversion of Russia to Communism and the reforming of the SSSR, full production of both versions continued under that regime.

It is a high performance combat helicopter with day and night capability, high survivability and fire power to defeat air targets and heavily armored tanks armed with air defense weapons. Numerous export versions were produced as well, and production of the Ka-52 was slightly less than the Ka-50 as the Hi-28 Havoc was competing for a similar role as the Ka-52, though large numbers of both were built (Something quite typical in the Soviet aerospace industry.)

The Ka-50 helicopter is fitted with observation and sighting systems together with navigation, communication and other systems to enable one crew-member to pilot and engage hostile forces in combat. The helicopter can carry a combination of various armaments to a maximum weapon load of 2 tons. The ordnance is selected according to the mission and can include anti-tank missiles, unguided aerial rockets of different calibers, air-to-air missiles, guns, bombs and other weapons.

The Helicopter was in service in both variants in very large numbers during the time of the "Mega Damage Revolution", and after the successful conversion of later variants of the Tu-22M Backfire medium Bomber to Mega-Damage components and nuclear power, the Kamov Ka-50 "Hokum" was the first helicopter type to be converted in mass.

The Ka-50 is more maneuverable, but suffers from problems in coordinating the weapons systems with a crew of one; The Ka-52 is less maneuverable, but with a gunner it is a far better weapons platform. Armor was also reduced on the Ka-52 to compensate for the weight of the extra crew position.

This eventually led to large scale production of the Mil Mi-28 "Havoc" as the principle two-seater, two-crewer helicopter of the SSSR as opposed to the Ka-52 to make up for the shortcomings, though both competing designs were built in large numbers; The Soviets were infamous for inefficiency like this.

The best helicopter pilots in the SSSR were usually assigned the Ka-50, especially those with sufficient dexterity to handle the increased workload. Early Soviet Juicer experimentation programs often had the enhanced individuals being Ka-50 pilots.

Huge numbers of these helicopters of both types were retained as M.D.C. conversions and new builds to M.D.C. design as a cheap but highly effective battlefield combat helicopter, meaning that with the coming of the Rifts, a large quantity of these craft survived intact.

Numbers found their way into service in China, North Korea, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, the Arabian states, Africa, Cuba, and assorted South American countries, along with Mexico, as the design was heavily exported by the SSSR after it was proven that the M.D.C. conversions were effective. Most of these are essentially the same as those used by Soviet Frontal Aviation; Some are of export variants, however.

Several of these craft of both variants are operated from inside the Pecos Empire and prove a constant menace against the Coalition Forces, often dueling with Sky Cycles (And winning constantly), while they fight amongst each other in the battles between the warlords of Russia and the New Sovietskiy within the remnants of the SSSR, with missions ranging from anti-personnel, anti-aircraft, and anti-armor to monster hunting.

Though other types of Soviet helicopters were more numerous than the Ka-50 or the Ka-52, the total numbers for both variants combined make it the most in terms of units constructed, with roughly some 60% of the helicopters built being of the Ka-50 variant and 40% of the Ka-52 variant.

Export variants include the fitting of either a 30mm Autocannon in place of the two 20mm Railguns, as was done in the pre-refit Ka-50s and Ka-52s, or the use of avgas instead of a nuclear reactor, or both, and such variants can be found of both the Ka-50 and the Ka-52.

Model Type:	Ka-50	Single seat Model
	Ka-52	Twin seat Model

Class: Attack Helicopter.
Crew: One or Two depending on Model

M.D.C. By Location:

Ka-50:

Ka-52:

	[1] 20 mm Railguns (2 - Starboard side):	25 each	25 each
	[1] Shipunov 2A42 cannon (Starboard side)	25	25
	Stub wings for additional ordnance (2):	75 each	75 each
	[2] Main Rotors (2, one above the other):	75 each	75 each
	[2] Tail:	75	75
	Landing Gear (3 for Ka-50, 4 for Ka-52):	15 each	15 each
	Reinforced Cockpit: Ka-50:	100	75
	[3] Main Body:	300	275

Notes:
[1] All Ka-50s and Ka-52s serving in Soviet Frontal Aviation and 60% of the export variants carry 20 mm rail guns. Shipunov 2A42 cannon is carried on 40% of export versions of the Ka-50 and Ka-52.
[2] Destroying one of the main rotors will cause the helicopter to fly at half speed, wobble and is -3 to parry, -2 to strike, and -30% on piloting skill/maneuvers as long as the tail is intact. If the tail has been destroyed, -6 to parry, -3 to strike, and -40% on piloting skill/maneuvers. Smart pilots will land as soon as possible. destroying both main rotors will knock the helicopter out of the sky. Roll under the piloting skill -30% for a successful crash landing (due to the reinforced nature of the Ka-50, crew takes only damage from an impact.). This helicopter is unique (for the time of introduction) in that both the Ka-50 and Ka-52 variants contain ejection seats for the occupant(s), should a crash landing be inadvisable/impossible; Though other powers also had designs for helicopters on the board that contained ejection seats, most powers reverted to VTOL aircraft that were not helicopters before adopting such designs, leaving the Ka-50 and Ka-52 fairly unique.
[3] Destroying the main body knocks the helicopter out of the sky and renders it completely useless.

Speed:
Driving on Ground (Taxiing): Only possible for take offs and landings as well as for parking and storage. Speed is 40 mph (64 kph) when traveling and not on take off or landing. The Helicopter can land and take off from primitive runways; Or any flat surface, for that matter.
Flying: Hovering ceiling of 13,125 feet (4,000 meters). Cruising speed is 168 mph (146 knots / 270 kph), maximum speed is 193 mph (167 knots / 310 kph) in level flight. For nuclear variants, cruising speed can be sustained indefinitely, and maximum speed for up to 12 hours before the Ka-50 or Ka-52 must slow to crusing speed for 2 hours to cool the engines. 245 nautical miles (283 miles / 455 km) is the practical range on the liquid fueled versions. The helicopter has superb maneuverability and VTOL capabilities beyond even those of normal single-rotor helicopters.
Range: Soviet Frontal Aviation models and 40% of the export versions: both Ka-50 and Ka-52: Nuclear. Effectively unlimited, but needs a refueling once every ten years and regular maintenance. 60% of the export versions only, both Ka-50 and Ka-52: Liquid fueled using standard avgas and turbines; 245 nautical miles (283 miles / 455 km) is the practical range.

Statistical Data:
Rotor Diameter: Both: 47 feet 4 inches (14.43 meters)
Wingspan: Both: 24 feet 1 inch (7.34 meters)
Length, Rotors Turning: Both: 52 feet 4.5 inches (15.96 meters)
Fuselage Length: Both: 44 feet 5 inches (13.53 meters)
Height: Ka-50: 16 feet 2 inches (4.93 meters) Ka-52: 16 feet 3 inches (4.95 meters)
Weight: Ka-50: Empty: 16,958 lbs (7,692 kg), Normal take-off: 21,605 lbs (9,800 kg), and Maximum Takeoff: 23,810 lbs (10,800 kg)
Power System: Nuclear fusion, ten year lifespan, for Soviet Frontal Aviation models and 40% of export versions, both models, Avgas powering engines and generators, with a practical range on engines in flight of 245 nautical miles (283 miles / 455 km) for those versions using liquid fuel.
Cargo: Minimal (Storage for small equipment), does not include hard points
Black Market Cost: 10 to 25 million, depending on location, quality, availability, and, of course, variant. The type can be found virtually anywhere, the exceptions being England, Northern North America (They are common in the Pecos Empire), and Australia, though there are a few operating in Australia as well. All variants are usually modified to some degree, and though there are rarely great quantities in any area, they had such a wide range of distribution that a few can be found virtually anywhere.

Weapon Systems:

1. Gun Mount: The cannon is mounted on the starboard side of the helicopter. The cannon mount can move vertically up to 3.5 degrees up and 37 degrees down. The side to side position of the gun is done by moving the helicopter although the mount can be 9 degrees to starboard and 2.5 degrees to port to stabilize gun.
   1. Standard 20 mm Railguns (2): Used on all Soviet Frontal Aviation models of the Ka-50 and Ka-52 and on 60% of export versions.) These are the standard Soviet Air to Air weapons mounted on virtually all fighters and Attack Helicopters and with a secondary use for ground strafing and tank-busting. They are 20 mm, but very high velocity even for rail guns, using solid slugs, and have extreme range, though it is not quite comparable to that of the 30 mm cannon they replaced. They sacrifice some of their hitting power (Compared with 1D6x10+10 for a 20 round burst from a 10 mm Soviet railgun), however, for the range, which is still quite good by railgun standards.
      Maximum Effective Range:
      Mega Damage: 1D4x10 for a half-burst of 10 rounds, 2D4x10 for a full burst of 20 rounds or for both cannons firing linked 10 round bursts, and 4D4x10 for a full burst from both cannons firing linked.
      Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the pilot (usually 5 or 6).
      Payload: 1,000 rounds (100 half-bursts/50 full bursts) per gun, 2,000 rounds total.
   2. Shipunov 2A42 30 mm cannon: Used only on 40% of export versions) 30 mm Autocannon: This is the original Pre-M.D.C. "revolution" cannon mounted on the starboard side of the helicopter in the original mount as in the pre-refit Ka-50s and Ka-52s. They have replaced the standard ammo with M.D., depleted uranium ramjet ammunition which allows the helicopter to hold it's own and inflict damage on modern, M.D.C. targets. The gun is unique in that is has a very long range, but it also uses ramjet shells with a powerful charge, degrading the life expectancy of the barrel of the autocannon and limiting the gun's payload. Standard ramjet shells can be used, but reduce the range of the weapon by half and keep the number of shells the same.
      Maximum Effective Range: 6,560 feet (2,000 meters / 2 kilometers). But can be fired at up to 13,200 feet (4,000 meters) with a -4 penalty
      Mega Damage: 2D6x10 for a 20 round burst, 3D6 for each round.
      Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the pilot (usually 5 or 6).
      Payload: 520 rounds (26 bursts).
      Notes: Normally the barrel of the autocannon has to be replaced after firing 1,200 rounds (Usually it's replaced after going through two full ammo loads, or 1,040 rounds/52 bursts.). Normal 30mm Ramjet ammunition can be used in place of the standard Soviet type; This halves the range of the weapon (Only for as long as that ammo is used), however, without any increases in ammo payload.
2. Ordnance Hard Points (4): The helicopter has a total of two heavy hard points on each stub wing. The helicopter can carry either one long range missile, two medium range missiles, or four short range missiles on each hard-point, or a Mini-Missile box launcher containing 25 Mini-Missiles. The hard-points can also carry bombs of comparable type to the missiles mentioned. The only restriction is that each hard-point must carry all weapons of the same type. Finally, the hard-points can also be fitted with either Railgun pods or standard 23mm Autocannon pods in place of missiles or rockets; Each hard-point can carry one such pod in place of it's missiles and rockets, and the others can still carry missiles or rockets, or additional hard points can be used for more Railgun/Gun pods.
   1. Bombs and Missiles: The only restriction is that a hard point must carry all the same type of missiles or bombs. Both unguided and guided bombs can be carried. In two pilot versions, short range missile racks are controlled by either the pilot or the weapons officer.
      Maximum Effective Range: Varies by missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
      Mega Damage: Varies by missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
      Rate of Fire: Missiles can be fired one at a time per hard point. Multiple hard points can be linked as one attack but must be the same range missiles.
      Payload: 1 long range missile, 2 medium range missiles, 4 short range missiles per each hard point (4 long range missile, 8 medium range missiles, or 16 short range missiles maximum total
   2. Mini-Missile Pod: Large capacity mini-missile pod. The mini missile pods are normally carried for ground strafing, anti-troop, and anti-emplacement attacks. Normal missile used are armor piercing, plasma, or fragmentation mini-missiles. In two pilot versions, mini missile pods are controlled by the pilot.
      Maximum Effective Range: Varies with missile types, mini-missiles only (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
      Damage: Varies with mini-missile types (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
      Rate of fire: Each pod can fire one at a time or in volleys of 2, 4, 8, or 12 and can be linked with other mini missile pods for greater number of missiles (Counts as one attack no matter how many missiles in volley)
      Payload: each pod carries 25 mini-missile (Maximum total 100 mini-missiles)
   3. Standard 20 mm Railgun in hard point pod: Used only on Soviet Frontal Aviation models of the Ka-50 and Ka-52. These are the standard Soviet Air to Air weapons mounted on virtually all fighters and Attack Helicopters and with a secondary use for ground strafing and tank-busting. The cannon is mounted in a bomb-shaped completely independent unit that can be attached to the hard point of the Ka-50 or Ka-52 and many other Soviet aircraft and helicopters. The cannon mount is fixed to the hard points when used, in place of missiles or rockets. They are 20 mm, but very high velocity even for rail guns, using solid slugs, and have extreme range. They sacrifice some of their hitting power (Compared with 1D6x10+10 for a 20 round burst from a 10 mm Soviet railgun), however, for the range, which is still quite good by railgun standards.
      Maximum Effective Range: 6,560 feet (2,000 meters / 2 kilometers).
      Mega Damage: 1D4x10 for a half-burst of 10 rounds, 2D4x10 for a full burst of 20 rounds. Rail guns can be tied together (and with the main rail gun) to be fired as a single burst which counts as one attack.
      Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the pilot (usually 5 or 6).
      Payload: 500 rounds (50 half-bursts/25 full bursts) per gun pod. Up to 4 gun pods and 2,000 rounds, total, though of course each gun pod is separate.
   4. UPK-23-250 23 mm Autocannon in hard point pod: Sold along with export variants; Even those that have railguns as their fixed cannon. This weapon, in the rather unusual 23mm caliber, unique to the SSSR and client states, was sold along with export models, though the Railgun was not. This is essentially the UPK-23-250 pod with the GSh-231- 23-mm cannon, simply firing Ramjet ammunition. The pods are fixed to the hard points of the Ka-50 when used, in place of missiles or rockets, but are excellent for strafing.
      Maximum Effective Range: 5,000 feet (1,524 meters)
      Mega-Damage: 2D4+2 per round, 1D6x10 for a half-burst of 25 rounds, and 2D6x10 for a full burst of 50 rounds. Cannons can be tied together (and with the main rail gun) to be fired as a single burst which counts as one attack.
      Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the pilot (usually 5 or 6).
      Payload: 250 rounds (10 half-bursts or 5 full bursts) per each pod; Up to 1,000 rounds total for all four pods that can be carried (Maximum).
3. Anti-Missile Chaff/Flare Dispenser (1): Use the same effects as the TRIAX model. However, each time the system is engaged, the system fires off one chaff and 1D4 flares. Rifts Earth decoys systems are assumed to not operate against Phase World missiles due to technological difference. Reduce effects by 20% against smart missiles (Add +20% to rolls for smart missiles.)
   Effect:
   01-50 Enemy missile or missile volley detonates in chaff cloud - Missile are all destroyed
   51-75 Enemy missile or missile volley loses track of real target and veers away in wrong direction (May lock onto another target)
   76-00 No effect, missile is still on target
   Also note that the chaff cloud will also blind flying monsters that fly through cloud. They will suffer the following penalties: reduce melee attacks/actions, combat bonuses, and speed by half.
   Duration: 1D4 melee rounds.
   Payload: 20 chaff, 40 flares. Each time the system is engaged, the system fires off one chaff and 1D4 flares.

Special Equipment:
The equipment of the Ka-50 has been upgraded but many of the original systems are still on the helicopter. Consider the helicopter to carry all standard equipment that robot vehicles carry (not including loudspeaker and microphone) plus the following extra systems::

• Internal Active Jamming Gear: Causes -25% to detection but when it is active, other vehicles/ bases can detect that it is jamming, and some missiles will home in on jamming signals. Jamming also causes a -4 penalty to all radar guided weapons.
• E.S.M.: Radar Detector, Passively detects other radars being operated.
• Radar System: Range of 30 miles (48 km); Capable of tracking up to 48 targets simultaneously, this radar serves to provide early warning of incoming aircraft and missile attacks and to provide targeting for both carried missiles and the gun. The radar also has terrain following features. The radar can be programmed to shut off immediately if it detects an aircraft firing a missile on a heading towards the Ka-50 or Ka-52, in case the missile is a radar-homing HARM type.
• Full Infared viewing mode and FLIR system: Range of 4 miles (6.4 km), with IR searchlight (+3 to detecting targets with IR when in use, however, +3 to detecting the Ka-50 or Ka-52 with IR equipment when in use, as well.) Combat Bonuses for the Ka-50 Hokum:
  +3 to dodge
  +2 to all piloting rolls

  Combat Bonuses for the Ka-52 Black Shark:

  +3 to Strike with all weaponry.
  +3 to missile evasion (dodge) when chaff/flares are used.

[New Navy, New Sovietskiy, and TRIAX are trademarks owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc. ]
[ Rifts® is a registered trademark owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc.]

Initial Writeup by Marina O'Leary (LusankyaN@aol.com ).

Minor Reformatting and revisions by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune ).

Copyright © 2001, Marina O'Leary. All rights reserved.