Ka-50 "REAPER" PLATOON

Introduction

The Reaper platoon is part of the AH (Attack Helicopter) Company and is available in both US and EU Battalions. 

Ka-50 Black Shark

The Kamov Ka-50 "Black Shark" (Russian: Чёрная акула, NATO reporting name: Hokum A) is a Russian single-seat attack helicopter with the distinctive coaxial rotor system of the Kamov design bureau. It was designed in the 1980s and adopted for service in the Russian army in 1995. It is the world's first operational helicopter with a rescue ejection system.

A simulation of the Russian Kamov Ka-50 single seat attack helicopter, Black Shark was originally released in October 2008 as a stand-alone simulation, with the updated Black Shark 2 released in 2011 to upgrade the simulation, and to change it to an expansion module for DCS World. The Black Shark 2 module incorporates Eagle Dynamics' Professional Flight Model, the Advanced Systems Model, and presents the player/pilot with the full six degrees of freedom style cockpit.

The Ka-50's full selection of armaments are simulated, allowing players to adapt the helicopter to gunship, anti-armour, and bombing mission roles. It also employs a high degree of automation, including a complex autopilot system, the Shkval-N video targeting system, laser ranging and tagging for laser guided ordnance (Kh-25Ml and 9K121 Vikhr missiles), and a helmet mounted targeting system. These systems allow a single crew member to assume both pilot and gunner roles simultaneously. The Ka-50's battlefield data link systems are also simulated, allowing players in a multiplayer environment to coordinate, and share targeting and navigation aircraft between Ka-50 helicopters, although data sharing between the Ka-50 and other Russian aircraft is not possible.

Roles

The Ka-50 has two primary roles: first, to provide direct and accurate close air support for ground troops; and second, the anti-tank role to destroy grouped enemy armor. Attack helicopters are also used as protective escort for transport helicopters, or to supplement lighter helicopters in the armed reconnaissance roles.