Russian Ka-52M helicopter destroys 25 UAVs with new 30mm smart ammunition.
The Ka-52M attack helicopter demonstrated superior combat effectiveness by shooting down numerous enemy UAVs thanks to its airburst munitions and advanced targeting system.
The Russian military's Ka-52M attack helicopter recently achieved impressive combat success, shooting down a total of 25 enemy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). A notable aspect of these interceptions was the use of new 30mm smart ammunition, combined with the helicopter's organic gun system, to neutralize low-flying and slow-moving targets.
The combat effectiveness of the new generation of airburst munitions.
According to reports and videos of the incident posted on February 19, the attack helicopter squadron destroyed the UAVs in two separate attacks. The first attack recorded 14 targets shot down, while the second destroyed an additional 11. All of these targets were destroyed by fire from the Shipunov 2A42 30mm cannon mounted on the aircraft.
This 30mm airburst round with a timed fuse is the latest product introduced by the state-owned Rostec corporation at the World Defence Exhibition 2026 in Saudi Arabia. It represents a significant advancement in anti-UAV technology, allowing for the destruction of small targets by shrapnel without direct impact.
The operating principle of this type of ammunition is based on an automatically activated fuse system. Before firing, the fire control system calculates the target's trajectory and loads the data into the fuse. Notably, this type of ammunition can be used directly on the standard 2A42 rifle without any modifications or replacements of the weapon's mechanical components.
Technical specifications of the Shipunov 2A42 artillery system.
The Shipunov 2A42 cannon is the primary weapon on Russian attack helicopters, renowned for its reliability and firepower. Below are the basic technical specifications of this system:
| Technical specifications | Parameter values |
|---|---|
| Low rate of fire | 200 - 300 tablets/minute |
| Highest rate of fire | 550 - 800 tablets/minute |
| Muzzle velocity | 960 m/s |
| Effective range | 2 km |
| Maximum range (air targets) | 4 km |
Sensor systems and long-range target detection capabilities.
To optimize the effectiveness of smart munitions, the Ka-52M variant is equipped with the most advanced avionics systems. Among these, the Arbalet-52 dual-band synchronized pulse radar plays a key role in target scanning. Combined with this is the GOES-451M electro-optical targeting system, allowing pilots to detect flying objects from distances up to 15 km.
Besides its 30mm cannon, the Ka-52 helicopter is also capable of carrying Igla-V missiles. This is an air-launched version of the well-known man-portable air defense system (MANPADS), using an infrared seeker with a claimed range of approximately 5km. The combination of a rapid-fire cannon using smart ammunition and guided missiles creates an effective mobile air defense network.
In the context of increasing drone attacks, the use of attack helicopters like the Ka-52M is seen as a flexible solution. The helicopter's ability to fly at low altitudes and slow speeds allows it to easily track and destroy small UAVs, which often pose difficulties for high-speed jet fighters.