Images of a Russian combat helicopter of the future leaked online. Presumably, the aircraft will become a new ‘Black shark’, a legendary machine second to none in the world. The photographs were published by Defence Blog, an American military magazine.
Based on the appearance of the combat aircraft, experts determined that the new helicopter is being designed by Kamov Design Bureau that developed the Kamov Ka-50 ‘Black Shark’. Ka-50 had an atypical design, two propellers on the same axis and exceptional technical characteristics. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the development project and production of the helicopters was suspended.
Kamov’s new helicopter will also have two propellers, wings and retractable chassis like an airplane. It is reported that the helicopter will develop a speed of up to 700 km/h, which is close to a passenger airline. In previous designs, helicopters could hardly exceed 300 km/h.
The name of the new aircraft remains a mystery. Earlier, Andrei Boginsky, CEO of Kamov Design Bureau parenting company, Russian Helicopters, announced that in 2018 the company will present two concepts of an advanced high-speed helicopter and the Defense Ministry will choose one of the designs.