On September 19th, 1969, the Mi-24 took to the skies for the first time, later becoming one of the most popular helicopters in the world. It was the first Soviet attack helicopter and the first combat helicopter in the world with retractable landing gear, allowing it to reach higher speeds. Until 1986, it remained the record holder in this category among helicopters, when test pilot Gurgen Karapetyan reached a speed of 368.4 km/h!

 

This helicopter is available in the game with a 30% discount, at 5,992 Golden Eagles. It will only be available for purchase during this promotion.

 

When: From September 19th (11:00 GMT) until September 22nd (11:00 GMT).

Where: USSR > Helicopters > Premium vehicles.

 

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About this helicopter

• The Mi-24D is a 1976 modification with an improved machine gun and redesigned crew cabin. Despite its considerable weight, it maintains an impressive speed. It can carry Falanga ATGMs with excellent armor penetration, 23 mm cannon pods, dozens of rockets and 250 or 500 kg bombs.

 

 

The German Mi-24P HFS 80 (rank VI) and Hungarian (in the Italian tree) Mi-24P (rank VI) helicopters have a 30% discount as well, at 6,111 Golden Eagles each.

 

When: From September 19th (11:00 GMT) until September 22nd (11:00 GMT).

Where: Germany / Italy > Helicopters > Premium vehicles.

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About the Mi-24P

• The Mi-24P modification aimed to enhance the helicopter’s cannons. In 1975, a twin-barrel 30 mm GSh-30-2k cannon was installed on the Mi-24 so that it could be more effective at combating armored vehicles. In 1981 the Mi-24 entered serial production, and was delivered to allies shortly after, including the GDR and Hungary. The Mi-24P continues to serve Hungary to this day. In addition to the powerful cannon, this variant has access to R-60 air-to-air missiles and Shturm anti-tank missiles.

The F-16I Sufa is a specialized Israeli variant of the American F-16 Fighting Falcon, developed in the early 2000s amidst growing military modernization in the Middle East.

 

By the mid 1990s, Israel sought to replace aging aircraft like the F-4 Phantom II and A-4 Skyhawk, while also complementing its fleet of F-15s and earlier F-16s, as neighboring states were acquiring more advanced Russian aircraft and air defense systems. In 1999, Israel signed a deal with the United States under the Peace Marble V program, leading to the procurement of 102 two-seat F-16Is, making it the largest single fighter purchase in Israeli history.

The Sufa (“Storm”) was heavily modified to meet Israel’s unique operational needs, featuring conformal fuel tanks for extended range, Israeli-made avionics, electronic warfare suites, helmet-mounted sights, and compatibility with domestic weapons. Its two-seat configuration also allowed for improved mission management, especially for deep strike and suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD) roles.

Entering service in 2004, the F-16I quickly became the backbone of the Israeli Air Force (IAF), participating in operations such as 2006’s Lebanon War and later strikes in Syria, demonstrating the effectiveness of the upgrades the platform received. To date, the F-16I remains one of the most modern fighters employed by the Israeli air force.

In the Tusk Force major update, the Israel aviation tree will gain access to one of the most advanced fighters currently employed by the IAF, namely the F-16I Sufa. Although based on the American F-16 Block 52, the Sufa represents an extensive upgrade program to the F-16 platform including many domestic Israeli systems. Let’s take a further look at this fighter!

Visually, the Sufa might closely resemble the Barak II which seasoned Israel air players will have already acquainted themselves with. While this may likely be attributed to the twin-seat cockpit layout, the F-16I speaks an entirely different story when throwing a glimpse “under the hood”. Equipped with the new Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 turbofan engine the F-16I keeps the dynamic characteristics of its predecessor, despite the slight increase in mass. However, it will obviously lack in dynamics when using new Conformal Fuel Tanks.

Speaking of increased payloads, the Sufa retains the large selection of suspended weapons while also getting new ones, meaning that it will have access to the advanced IR (AIM-9L and AIM-9M) and ARH missiles (AIM-120C-5) as well as a large selection of precision guided and unguided bombs. Among the strike weapons, it is worth noting the line of SPICE bombs with a TV guidance, ranging from 250 (new to the game) to 2000 kg. As such, the F-16I can conduct strike missions in combined battles with even greater accuracy while avoiding straying too close to hostile air defences. Another worthy addition is the PAWS-2 MAWS, capable of keeping the pilot aware of incoming missiles.

The F-16I Sufa will soon be making its way to the top rank of the Israeli aviation tree in the Tusk Force major update. In the meantime however, make sure to stay tuned to the news for the latest information regarding the upcoming update. That’s all for today, pilots. Until the next one, we wish you clear skies and good hunting!

Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.

On September 18th, 1947, the National Security Act was signed into law, separating the U.S. Air Force from the Army and giving it the status of an independent branch from the armed forces. On this day, official ceremonies are held at the Pentagon and air bases, demonstration flights with modern and historical aircraft fly over, and open days are held at Air Force museums.

 

• George Bostwick’s P-47M-1-RE is available for 6090 Golden Eagles

• Raymond Wetmore’s P-51D-10 is available for 4880 Golden Eagles

When: From September 18th (11:00 GMT) until September 22nd (11:00 GMT).

Where: USA > Aviation > Premium vehicles

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• George Bostwick fought in Western Europe, shooting down at least eight aircraft and destroying six ground targets. His P-47M-1-RE is the most advanced modification of the P-47. The improved engine allows the aircraft to retain energy well and not fall apart at high speeds. This fighter features great speed and maneuverability at high altitudes and is armed with eight Browning machine guns.

• Ray Wetmore also fought in the European theater, shooting down 21 German aircraft, becoming one of the most successful American aces. His P-51D-10 is capable of ground attack and interception roles, with the aircraft able to take up to 1,500 kg of ordinance. The six 12.7 mm machine guns also have a high ammo count exceeding 2,000 rounds!

 

 

Until September 22nd (11:00 GMT) a bundle including Ray Wetmore`s P-51D-10, George Bostwick's P-47M-1-RE Thunderbolt and a P-38K!

 To get to the Gaijin Store through Steam, go to the in-game hangar > Shop > Online Store.

84.97 42.49

This bundle includes:

• Ray Wetmore`s P-51D-10 Pack

• George Bostwick's P-47M-1-RE Thunderbolt Pack

• P-38K Pack

 

 

When: From September 18th (11:00 GMT) until September 22nd (11:00 GMT).

Task: Earn 3,000 mission points with US aircraft at rank III or higher to receive the “USAF Day 2025” decal.

Please note: After finishing the task, you need to collect the reward manually.

 “USAF Day 2025” decal

Additional details:

• You can complete the task in random battles, except for \[Assault] mode.

• Track your progress in the hangar by clicking Nickname → Achievements → Holidays → US Air Force Birthday.

• You can find the decal in the “Holidays” tab in the customization menu.

The second prototype of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, the YP-38, made its first flight on September 17th, 1940. The P-38 entered service in mid-1941 and was widely used during the Second World War in the Pacific and Asia. The P-38 was the only American combat aircraft to be mass-produced throughout the entire war.

 

The YP-38 (rank II) is temporarily available to purchase for 1,150 Golden Eagles.

 

When: From September 16th (11:00 GMT) until September 19th (11:00 GMT).

Where: USA > Aviation > Premium vehicles.

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About this aircraft 

• The YP-38 maintains speed at altitude quite well, allowing it to effectively operate as an interceptor. The pilot is protected by armor plates on all sides, enhancing survivability. The YP-38 is equipped with a powerful 37 mm cannon, supported by two 12.7 mm and two 7.62 mm machine guns.

The F-5TH Super Tigris is an extensively modernized variant of the Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II developed and operated by the Royal Thai Air Force in the late 2010s.

 

Originally acquired in the late 1970s during the Cold War, Thailand purchased the F-5 to strengthen its air defenses amid growing regional tensions in Southeast Asia at the time and rising influence of both the U.S. and Soviet Union in the region. By the 2010s, the RTAF faced aging fighter fleets and limited budgets, making full replacement with modern, current generation fighters financially difficult. Instead, Thailand opted to upgrade its F-5s in cooperation with Israel’s Elbit Systems, producing the F-5TH “Super Tigris”. The upgrade added modern avionics, radar, electronic warfare systems, new cockpit displays, and compatibility with advanced air-to-air and precision-guided weapons, bringing the aircraft’s capabilities close to those of newer multirole fighters.

The F-5TH both allowed Thailand to extend the service life of its existing fleet of F-5s while also complementing newer fighters like the Swedish JAS 39 Gripen. Entering operational service in 2019, the Super Tigris ensures that the RTAF continues to field capable multirole aircraft to the present day despite procurement constraints. The type is expected to remain in service until the late 2020s before reaching the age limit of the airframes.

The F-5TH Super Tigris is one of the latest modifications of a classic Cold War jet fighter that War Thunder players already know very well and which is seemingly defying obsolescence against all odds. This latest Thai upgrade brings the venerable F-5 into the modern age of jet combat, introducing various state-of the-art systems and, most importantly, greatly expanding the selection of advanced ordnance options to rival the latest fighters of other nations. Let’s take a look at this jet, coming in the Tusk Force major update!

Based off the F-5T that might already be familiar to many of you from a previous update, the F-5TH builds upon the Tiger’s signature speed and agility and combines them with meaningful upgrades, intended to bring the aircraft on par with much more recent fighter types. As such, the aircraft retains the same engines and overall design, but is outfitted with advanced avionics and incorporates a fully digital “glass cockpit” as well as a more capable radar system.

The true star of the show however, is found in the aircraft’s suspended weapons arsenal. While the previous gen F-5T already offered a respectable selection of advanced weapons, the Super Tigris elevates this to another level. Being modified to carry the latest air-to-air missiles, the F-5TH can mount AIM-9M, Python-3, as well as Derby ARH missiles. In addition to this, the Super Tigris’ arsenal is further augmented by the ability to mount guided bombs. All this taken into account results in a greatly expanded versatility which underlines the F-5TH multirole capability. In other words, thanks to the availability of these new weapons, the Super Tigris can be seen as a force to be reckoned with, even in top tier matches, despite its Cold War legacy! 

The Super Tigris will soon be making its way to War Thunder as part of the Tusk Force major update. Arriving to the top ranks of the Thai subtree, the F-5TH will provide the Japanese aviation tree with access to another excellent fighter, further reinforcing its top tier lineup. That’s all for today. In the meantime, make sure to stay tuned to the news for the latest information regarding the upcoming update!

Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.

September 15th 1940 went down in history as the Battle of Britain Day. Throughout this conflict, the Royal Air Force fought the German Luftwaffe and repelled attacks, helping to prevent a full-scale invasion by the Wehrmacht. 85 years have now passed since this great triumph, where British pilots, along with vital support from pilots of other allied nations, helped defend the skies of Great Britain. This was their finest hour and today we celebrate and remember them!

 

• Plagis’ Spitfire LF Mk.IXc (rank IV) and Prendergast’s Spitfire FR Mk.XIVe (rank IV) are temporarily available for 6,090 Golden Eagles each

• The Hurricane Mk.I/L FAA M (rank II) is temporarily available for 850 Golden Eagles

 

When: From September 15th (11:00 GMT) until September 18th (11:00 GMT).

Where: Great Britain > Aviation > Premium vehicles.

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About these aircraft

• RAF Ace John Plagis flew the Spitfire LF Mk.IXc, a model which specialized in lower altitude engagements, performing best below 6 km. In this space, this Spitfire is close to unmatchable in maneuvering combat. Its armament consists of 20 mm Hispano cannons and machine guns.

• Commanding Officer James Prendergast of No. 414 Squadron, RCAF, piloted this FR Mk.XIVe Spitfire over Normandy in preparation for D-Day. This fighter-reconnaissance version has a beefed up engine, powerful weaponry, and can mount a 500 lb bomb to engage ground targets too.

• The Hurricane Mk.I/L FAA M was a late, improved version of the Mk.I with a metal wing covering. This version is presented in the unique camouflage of the FAA (Fleet Air Arm) training aircraft. Hurricanes formed the backbone of the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain. This Hurricane is equipped with a wealth of 7.7 mm machine guns with a large ammo count, and has excellent maneuverability!

 

 

The Spitfire Mk.IIa Venture I fighter has a 50% discount and is available for 575 Golden Eagles.

 

When: From September 15th (11:00 GMT) until September 18th (11:00 GMT).

Where: Great Britain > Aviation > Premium vehicles.

 

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About this aircraft

• During the Battle of Britain, the Spitfire Fund was created to raise money for the production of military equipment. For a donation, people and organizations could pick an inscription for an aircraft. Crowdfunding was extremely successful, as the fund provided for the creation of 1,500 fighter planes. By the end of the fundraising, almost every major city in the country had left its name on a Spitfire. The Spitfire Mk.IIa Venture I (P7923) is one such aircraft, created with the help of the British public. This Spitfire features a good rate of climb, exceptional maneuverability, and is armed with eight Browning machine guns!

 

To mark the anniversary of Battle of Britain Day, RAF fighters — Plagis’ Spitfire LF Mk.IXc , Prendergast’s Spitfire FR Mk.XIVe and Typhoon Mk.IB — are available in this bundle with a 50% discount for PC players.

 

When: From September 15th (11:00 GMT) until September 18th (11:00 GMT).

 

"The Battle of Britain — 85 years" Bundle -50%

Price: 74.97  37.49

 To get to the Gaijin Store through Steam, go to the in-game hangar > Shop > Online Store.

• John Plagis’ Spitfire LF Mk. IX Pack

• Prendergast’s Spitfire FR Mk.XIVe Pack

• Typhoon Pack

 

 

 

We’ve got a decal and camouflage for the 85th anniversary!

 

This camouflage is unique in that it features a white and black underside, not seen on any Spitfires in the game previously. Below is the historical background of this Spitfire. It’s the scheme of Douglas Bader’s Spitfire P9443 during the Summer of 1940. He was a very successful pilot during the early stages of the Second World War despite having no legs.

 

“Battle of Britain 85th Anniversary” decal

When: From September 15th (11:00 GMT) until September 18th (11:00 GMT).

Task: Earn 3000 mission points in battles where you have used British aircraft at rank III or higher to receive the “Battle of Britain 85th Anniversary” decal.

Task: Earn 10,000 mission points with British aircraft at rank II or higher to receive Douglas Bader’s “Spitfire P9443” camouflage for the Spitfire Mk Ia.

 

Please note: After finishing the task, you need to collect the reward manually.

 

Additional details:

• You can complete the task in random battles, except for \[Assault] mode.

• Track your progress in the hangar by clicking Nickname → Achievements → Holidays → Battle of Britain Day.

• You can find the decal in the “Holidays” tab in the customization menu.

 

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Douglas Bader’s “Spitfire P9443” camouflage for the Spitfire Mk Ia

About the pilot, Douglas Bader

Douglas Bader joined the RAF in 1928, quickly establishing himself as a clearly gifted pilot with a penchant for acrobatics. During one of these daring maneuvers however he crashed, resulting in serious injury, the damage was so severe both legs had to be amputated. Unbroken by this, and with a pair of prosthetic legs, Bader taught himself to walk and remarkably, how to fly again.

 

Bader continuously requested to rejoin the RAF, but was declined on medical grounds each time. In 1939 with the outbreak of the Second World War, the requirements of the RAF eased and Bader was accepted back into service. Bader proved himself over Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain, flying both the Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire. He initially flew with No. 222 Squadron, before becoming the commander of No. 242 Squadron. He would score 20 victories during his career, with 2 additional shared victories.

 

On August 9th 1941, Bader was forced to bail from his aircraft over France after a mid-air collision with a German plane, one of his prosthetic legs was trapped in the pedal of his aircraft, forcing him to bail out without it. Despite this he landed relatively safely, but was captured by German soldiers shortly after. In a remarkable act of gallantry and airman solidarity however, German command gave the RAF safe passage into the area to air drop a replacement, an event known as “Operation Leg”.

 

After the war Bader worked for the Shell fuel company, flying their planes and eventually becoming the Managing Director of Shell Aircraft, until his retirement in 1969. He wouldn’t stop there though, in the 1970s he became a key member of the Civil Aviation Authority, focusing on issues of pilot safety.

 

In later life Bader dedicated himself to helping the disabled and those who lost limbs, very much becoming a light in the dark, inspiring hope with visits and letters. A quote from one of Bader’s hospital visits immortalizes this sentiment perfectly: “Don’t listen to anyone who tells you that you can’t do this or that. That’s nonsense … never, never let them persuade you that things are too difficult or impossible.”

 

About the camouflage

Bader’s Spitfire Mk.1a was painted in the early “Temperate Land Scheme”, one of the most recognizable RAF patterns, composed of disruptive dark green and dark brown. A noteworthy feature of this early scheme is the two-tone black and white underside. This pattern was used on many early RAF aircraft in order to help spotters and anti-air gunners quickly identify friendly planes. When the theater of war shifted to Europe the priority changed from identification to concealment, and the underside of the majority of day aircraft was changed to a pale unicolor coating to help blend into the sky. The yellow square on the wing is a gas detection patch, these would fade to a darker color in the presence of harmful chemical agents.

Thank you for another week of wonderful submissions! This week, we’re focusing on battles that feature water in some way. Rivers, lakes, harbors, rainy battles, or the open ocean — if there’s water in the scene, it counts. Share your best screenshots where combat and water come together! The three most popular and three selected by us will get 300 GE. See the winners down below!


Create a stunning screenshot and submit it on the War Thunder Steam Community Hub with the tag #WTscreen189. You have time until the 19th of September to submit your screenshot.

After that date, 6 winners will be selected (3 of which will be the highest rated by the community and 3 selected by our judges), each of which receive a reward of 300GE.

• Your screenshot must include a body of water or rain, and a player vehicle.
  
• You must add the #WTscreen189 tag (title cannot have any other text in it).
  
• Artists may only win by popular vote once per four screenshot competitions.

[/b]

Screenshots need to be compliant with the War Thunder rules.

You need to be the author of the screenshot.

Screenshot needs to be new. You cannot use those which have previously been published or used in other competitions.

We will only accept raw screenshots from the game. You cannot use any editing software nor any other visual enhancements (like Nvidia Ansel filters).

You can use filters and settings built into War Thunder.

You can use the replay functionality built into War Thunder.

Rewards will be delivered to the author's account within 14 working days.

[/list]


https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3563115931
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3564908209
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3563053768

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3563751428
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3563622377
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3562953904

Each winner will get 300GE! Congratulations and see you next week!

The SAMP/T is a mobile air defense system developed jointly by France and Italy to provide medium to long-range protection against aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, based on the Aster-30 missile developed at the turn of the century.

 

In the late 1980s, European nations recognized the growing threat of advanced Soviet aircraft, cruise missiles, and especially short-range ballistic missiles, which had been demonstrated during the Iran–Iraq War and later during the 1991 Gulf War. To avoid complete reliance on U.S. systems, France and Italy formed Eurosam, a consortium of Thales, MBDA France, and MBDA Italy to design a European solution that could integrate with NATO defense networks. Already during the 1990s, the joint undertaking took form with the development of the Aster family of missiles, which underwent detailed trials before eventually being accepted into service in the early 2000s by the French Navy.

After the successful deployment with naval forces, the idea to integrate the Aster missile on a mobile land-based platform quickly emerged. As a result, the SAMP/T (Surface-to-Air Missile Platform/Terrain) was developed in the early 2010s with the system being built around the Aster 30 missile. The system was mounted on mobile trucks, giving it rapid deployability and flexibility for protecting both static assets and maneuvering forces. Operationally, the SAMP/T entered service in the early 2010s and has since been deployed by France and Italy in both national and NATO missions, including air defense of allied territory. The SAMP/T remains at the spearhead of France’s and Italy’s missile defense systems to date.

The SAMP/T comes to the game in the Tusk Force major update as the next set of vehicles expanding the roster of Multi-Vehicle SAM systems, first introduced to the game with the previous major update. The SAMP/T will bring this capability to both the French and Italian ground forces trees, so in today’s devblog, we’d like to go through this vehicle. Let’s dive straight in, shall we?

Similar to other nation’s Multi-Vehicle SAM systems, the SAMP/T will also come in a two-vehicle setup in which one represents the main radar, and another the launcher vehicles that can be deployed once you establish yourself comfortably on the battlefield. To this extent, when playing the SAMP/T, you can look forward to the ARABEL radar system which can detect targets up to 80 km away and track up to 10 individual targets simultaneously!

Detecting and tracking an inbound enemy is a useful capability, no doubt. However, it truly becomes effective only when you couple it with a means of eliminating the incoming threat. In this case, the SAMP/T’s Aster-30 missiles have got you covered. Able to intercept aerial targets moving at even supersonic speeds up to a range of 100 km make this the ideal tool for the job when it comes to providing effective anti-air protection for allies on the ground. Similar to other nations’ systems, the SAMP/T first detects its target via the radar unit, launches the missile on a calculated intercept course to the target which can be updated using the data link capability, and finally relies on the missile’s own active radar homing system for terminal guidance to the target.

As for the chassis, it’s the Renault (French version) and Iveco (Italian version) truck which has no armor, but is capable of getting to a maximum speed of up to 100 km/h, allowing you to drive to better positions in a timely manner. Like many other Multi-Vehicle SAM systems, the radar vehicle has a large radar search antenna mounted onto a large compartment with lots of electronic equipment inside. The launcher vehicles themselves are not small either, so make sure to play accordingly!

The SAMP/T will soon greatly elevate the anti-air protection for those who play the French and Italian tree, providing their allies in combined battles with aerial protection following its arrival to the top ranks in the Tusk Force major update. In the meantime, stay tuned to the news as we continue giving you more sneak peaks into what the upcoming update has in store for you!

Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.

Get yourself some Soviet discounted packs and a cool Golden HEAT decoration to display on your tanks.

All Soviet tank packs in the Gaijin store (except for the “In May 45” Pack) are available at a 30% discount!

 

When: From September 12th (11:00 GMT) until September 15th (11:00 GMT).

 

To get to the Gaijin Store through Steam, go to the in-game hangar > Shop > Online Store.

 

When: From September 12th (11:00 GMT) until September 15th (11:00 GMT).

Task: Earn 10,000 mission points with USSR ground vehicles at rank III or higher to receive the “Golden HEAT” decoration.

Please note: After finishing the task, you’ll need to collect the reward manually.

“Golden HEAT” decoration

 

Additional details:

• You can complete the task in random battles, except for \[Assault] mode.

• Track your progress in the hangar by clicking Nickname → Achievements → Holidays → Tanker’s Day.

• You can find the decoration in the “Other”  tab.

Nikolay Ilyich Kamov was born on September 14th 1902. In 1940, he became the head of his own design bureau, where he designed the Ka-8, Ka-10, Ka-15, Ka-18, Ka-25 and Ka-26 helicopters. After Kamov’s death in 1973, the bureau continued to use his name and produced further Ka series aircraft, including the Ka-50.

 

The Ka-50 attack helicopter, designed by Kamov’s company, can be purchased with a 30% discount in the Gaijin Store!

 

When: From September 12th (09:00 GMT) until September 15th (09:00 GMT).

Where: USSR > Helicopters > Premium vehicles.

 

To get to the Gaijin Store through Steam, go to the in-game hangar > Shop > Online Store.

 

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About this helicopter

• The Ka-50, nicknamed the “Black Shark” is a highly effective helicopter. It features the potent 9K121 Vikhr air-to-ground missile that can be used effectively against both ground targets and aircraft. Once you’ve fired them all you can then rely on the 30 mm 2A42 cannon, capable of significant vertical traverse, located on the right side of the helicopter. Thanks to the coaxial-rotor design, the Ka-50 offers high speed and maneuverability.