Russian factory test flies attack helicopter

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia, March 10 (UPI) -- Russia's Progress Arsenyev Aviation Company is testing new all-weather reconnaissance and attack helicopter Kamov Ka-52 Alligator.

The pre-delivery tests are being conducted in Arsenyev, which is Located in the Russia's Far Eastern Primorsky territory and involve the helicopter gunships performing basic air maneuvers.

Russian state news agency Tass reported the testing was announced by the press service of the company, which is a subsidiary of Russian Helicopters.

"A test flight of the Alligator lasts for about an hour on the average," the company was quoted as saying. "The helicopters perform the basic air maneuvers: ascent, hovering, turn and others under their flight test program."

The Kamov Ka-52 Alligator, designated by NATO as the Hokum B, is a two-seat variant of the Kamov Ka-50, which has a maximum speed of 196 miles per hour and a range of 339 miles.

Tass said Progress ACC intends to boost the production of civil and military helicopters in 2018 and will manufacture the Ka-52 naval modification, a new civil multipurpose helicopter Ka-62, and the Ka-52 scout-attack helicopter.