Yes especially when the ship is planned to do a big (costly) refurbishment/modernization then they come back to Russia. They need to show that they can do somthing "useful"
Wonder if they bring a tugboat this time also, or they hope they do not have a mecanical breakdown this time....
I get it, but when we are talking about the Ka-50/52 having over 1100 km range, @ 150km away it can stay for for a long time where it needs to be.I understand what you are saying but the distance of the operation is so close that it doesn't really matter.
They will do their job Kellhound, you don't need to worry about it.
Last edited by Ulmita; 2016-07-06 at 07:58 PM.
Info bellow found >>here<<
Entered service
2008 Crew 2 men Dimensions and weight Length 13.53 m Main rotor diameter 14.5 m Height 4.95 m Weight (empty) ~ 8 t Weight (maximum take off) 10.8 t Engines and performance Engines 2 x TV3-117VMA turboshafts Engine power 2 x 2 200 shp Maximum speed 310 km/h Service ceiling 5.5 km Range (max payload) 520 km Ferry range 1 200 km Combat radius ? Endurance 1 hour 40 minutes Armament 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 Other rocket pods or bombs
We're saying the same thing here. I agree it wont be as efficient but it will do its job which is PRIMARILY, to TRAIN the pilots. And 520km with max payload its gucci.
Do you understand the difference between max range w/ max payload and combat radius?
Plus, the cost is going to be very high in repairs to those non-naval helicopters and the jet pilots are going to lose most of their carrier landing skills during the 2 year overhaul he is going to be going into.
I was being VERY generous and using the one on Wikipedia (about the same as given for the AH-64). In reality combat radius is dependent on several factors, and in this case it is likely to be under optimal external temperature, using 2 fuel tanks, and only carrying 4-8 anti-tank missiles. I would not anticipate more than 30 minutes of loiter time either, if that. 520km range means they can at best fly 260km from base and immediately return with no loitering unless they expend or eject all of their ordnance which would extend that slightly.