Similarly, the Kamov KA-52 "Alligator" (also called "Hokum" by NATO) is emblematic of Russia's post-Cold War fighting ability ...
In contrast, other attack helicopters like the AH-1Z Viper have pilots positioned in a tandem layout, one behind the other.
Russia's military presence at two key bases in Syria fell into uncertainty after the Assad regime fell last weekend.
And the US Army AH-64 Apache and Russian Ka-52 Alligator are generally considered to be the two best military attack helicopters in the world (with the Russian Mi-28N arguably in a close third).