New Sovietskiy Modified Kamov Ka-62 Hellion Attack Helicopter:

Once the Communist party retook control of Russia, most military designs were government sponsored but there were a few exceptions. One of those is the Ka-62 Hellion attack helicopter. While the New Soviet Government purchased a limited number of Ka-50 Hokum attack helicopters but the Mi-24 and Mi-28 became the principle attack helicopter of the restored Soviet forces. Kamov decided to develop an attack helicopter which had greatly improved performance over previous helicopter designs.

A problem is that helicopter designs have a limited top speed due to principle called "retreating blade stall." The limited top speed of helicopters is one of the reasons why thrust based VTOL aircraft replaced helicopters in many roles. There are several solutions including special high speed rotors using high strength materials and the use of a pusher rotors. Basically, the pusher rotor takes part of the workload from the main rotors. It has the advantage of being able to give a much higher top speed. The United States Striker Marine helicopter and the post Rifts Iron Eagle helicopter which was built by Iron Heard Industries both use this system. These helicopters are still generally cheaper than the thrust based VTOL aircraft and can be very effective when employed correctly.

One of the key design features of the Ka-62 was the use of a push rotor instead of a standard rotor. It was also developed using a fusion power plant instead of a conventional engine. Both features gave the production version of the attack helicopter a top speed of close to five hundred kilometers per hour. Originally, the Soviet military planned to adopt a nuclear version of the Mi-28 Havoc but after witnessing the performance of the Kavo helicopter, adopted the Ka-62 instead although a large number of nuclear powered Mi-28 Havoc helicopters were produced as well. In order to reduce production costs, as many components from the Ka-50 and Ka-52 were used in the new helicopter. The cockpit assembly of the Hellion is identical to the Ka-52 and a twin cockpit was selected for easier operations. The hard points were strengthened and the Hellion can carry about fifty percent more ordnance than the Hokum. The main guns are fixed forward except for a slight ability to change azimuth for stabilization. The gun can also elevate up to four degrees and depress up to thirty-seven degrees. Initial versions carried the 30-mm cannon carried on the Ka-52 but was replaced by twin rail guns in later versions.

In addition to the large number produced for Soviet service, many of these helicopters were exported outside of the new Soviet Union. Before the coming of the Rifts, large numbers of these helicopters could be found around the world. Chief customers included China, North Korea, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, the Arabian states, Africa, Cuba, assorted South American countries, and Mexico. These nations also had purchased large numbers of the Ka-50 and Ka-52 and the large amount of shared parts made logistics easier. Production of the helicopter for export purposes was continued until the coming of the Rifts but the helicopter had been taken from front line service within the Soviet Military. Still, large numbers remained in second line service. In most cases, surplus Mi-28 Havoc helicopters were sold instead of Ka-62 Hellion attack helicopters. A large number of these helicopters survived the coming of the Rifts in both Russia and elsewhere around the world. Many are operated by the New Sovietski but are not operated in large numbers by any of the Warlords. Both Triax and the factories in Poland produce repair parts for the Soviet Attack Helicopter. Some are also operated in Argentina and repair parts are also produced there.

Model Type: Ka-62
Vehicle Type: Attack Helicopter
Crew: Two

M.D.C. by Location:
[1] 20 mm Railguns (2 - Starboard side):25 each
[1] Shipunov 2A42 cannon (Starboard side)25
Stub wings for additional ordnance (2):50 each
[2] Main Rotors (2, one above the other):60 each (20 each Blade)
[2] Rear Pusher Rotor:60
Landing Gear (4):15 each
Reinforced Cockpit:75
[4] Main Body:175

Notes:
[1] Most (90%) Ka-62s serving in Soviet Frontal Aviation and over half (60%) of the export variants carry 20 mm rail guns. Shipunov 2A42 cannon is carried on many (40%) of export versions of the Ka-62.
[2] Destroying the rear pusher rotor or 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-62, crew takes only damage from an impact.). Like the Ka-50, the Ka-62 carries a special ejection system.
[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: Hover to 298.3 mph (259 knots / 480 kph) with 248.5 mph (215.8 knots / 400 kph) cruise speed and has a ceiling of 19,685.0 feet (6,000 meters). The helicopter has superb maneuverability and VTOL capabilities beyond even those of normal single-rotor helicopters.
Maximum Effective Range: Nuclear, Effectively Unlimited but does overheat when operated for long periods of time. The Ka-62 engines will overheat after 4 hours of continuous operation when running at top speed and 8 hours when run at under 150 knots (172.7 mph / 278 kph)

Statistical Data:
Rotor Diameter: 47 feet 4 inches (14.43 meters)
Wingspan: 24 feet 8 inch (7.54 meters)
Length, Rotors Turning: 52 feet 8 inches (16.08 meters)
Fuselage Length: 44 feet 8 inches (13.53 meters)
Height: 16 feet 3 inches (13.65 meters)
Weight: Empty: 18,077.9 lbs (8,200 kg), Normal take-off: 22,487.1 lbs (10,200 kg), and Maximum Takeoff: 26,675.9 lbs (12,100 kg)
Power System: Nuclear Fusion, Should have an average life-span of 8 years.
Cargo: Minimal (Storage for small equipment), does not include hard points
Black Market Cost: 10 to 18 million credits, 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): Mounted on later versions of the helicopters. 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: 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 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: Mounted on early models of the helicopters. 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 (6): The helicopter has a total of three 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 20 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 (6 long range missile, 12 medium range missiles, or 24 short range missiles maximum total)
      b. 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).
      Mega-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 10 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 20 mini-missile (Maximum total 120 mini-missiles)
    2. Standard 20 mm Railgun in hard point pod: Used only on Soviet Frontal Aviation models of the Ka-62. 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-62 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 6 gun pods and 3,000 rounds, total, though of course each gun pod is separate.
    3. 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-62 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 1,500 rounds total for up to six or six 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: 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-62 has been upgraded but many of the original systems of the Ka-50 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:

Combat Bonuses:

[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.]

By Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

Copyright © 2003, Kitsune. All rights reserved.

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