Kamov Ka-27

From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia

Ka-27
A Russian Navy Ka-27 flying by USS Vella Gulf over the Gulf of Aden.
General information
TypeAnti-submarine warfare helicopter
National originSoviet Union / Russia
ManufacturerKamov
StatusIn service
Primary usersSoviet Navy (historical)
History
Manufactured1979–2010[1]
Introduction date1982
First flight24 December 1973[2]
Developed fromKamov Ka-25
VariantsKamov Ka-31

The Kamov Ka-27 (NATO reporting name 'Helix') is a military helicopter developed for the Soviet Navy, and as of 2024 is in service in various countries including Russia, Ukraine, Vietnam, China, South Korea, and India. Variants include the Ka-29 assault transport, the Ka-28 downgraded export version, and the Ka-32 for civilian use.

Design and development

[edit]

The helicopter was developed for ferrying and anti-submarine warfare. Design work began in 1969 and the first prototype flew in 1973. It was intended to replace the decade-old Kamov Ka-25, and had to have identical or smaller external dimensions than its predecessor. Like other Kamov military helicopters it has coaxial rotors, removing the need for a tail rotor. In total, five prototypes and pre-series helicopters were built. Series production started at Kumertau in July 1979, and the new helicopter officially entered service with the Soviet Navy in April 1981.[1]

The Ka-27 has a crew of three with a pilot and navigator both stationed in the cockpit, and a sonar operator seated behind them. It has a four-leg fixed landing gear. The Ka-27 is equipped with two lateral buoys, that can be inflated in the case of a forced landing on water.[1]

The Ka-27PL anti-submarine version is equipped with a radar, and either a dipping sonar or a magnetic anomaly detector. It can also carry either up to 36 sonobuoys, or a torpedo, or between six and eight conventional depth charges, or a single nuclear one. Ka-27PLs generally operate in pairs as hunter-killer teams.[1]

The Ka-27PS search and rescue helicopter can carry 12 folding seats or four stretchers in its cabin, and is equipped with a 300 kg (660 lb) winch. Its fuel capacity of 3,450 litres (910 US gal) is greater than the 2,940-litre (780 US gal) capacity of the Ka-27PL.[1]

Ka-32 variants, e.g. the Klimov-powered Ka-32A11BC, have been certified for commercial operations throughout the world, notably in Canada and Europe. The Ka-32 has been certified for the newer Klimov VK-2500PS-02 engine.[3]

Operational history

[edit]
Ka-27s aboard the aircraft carrier Novorossiysk in 1984

A Russian Navy Ka-27 helicopter from the Russian Udaloy-class destroyer Severomorsk conducted interoperability deck landing training on board the US command ship USS Mount Whitney on 22 July 2010.[4]

Ka-32A11BC multipurpose helicopters have been successfully operated in Portugal for over five years. In 2006, Kamov won the tender for the supply of Ka-32A11BC firefighting helicopters, to replace Aérospatiale SA 330 Pumas.[citation needed]

Over 240 Ka-32 have been built as of 2019 and have been exported to more than 30 countries;[5] South Korea operates some 60 Ka-32s.[6][7] In the mid-1990s Russia offset debt to South Korea through supplies of weapons.[8]

The Ka-32A11BC features a high power-to-weight ratio and ease of handling, owing to its coaxial rotor design. The rotors' diameters are not restricted by the presence of a tail rotor and associated tail boom; this facilitates maneuvering near obstacles and helps assure exceptional accuracy when hovering in heavy smoke and dust conditions. The Ka-32A11BC may be equipped with the Bambi Bucket suspended fire-fighting system of up to five tons capacity. The service life has been extended to up to 32,000 flight hours.[9]

Since the 1990s, China has purchased the Ka-28 export version and Ka-31 radar warning version for the PLAN fleet. Ka-31 purchases were first revealed in 2010. It is believed that Chinese Ka-28s have been equipped with more enhanced avionics compared to Ka-28s exported to other countries.[10]

In 2013, Russia tested the new Kamov Ka-27M with an active electronically scanned array radar. The basis of the modernization of the Ka-27M is installed on the helicopter airborne radar with an active phased array antenna FH-A. This radar is part of the command and tactical radar system that combines several other systems: acoustic, magnetometric, signals intelligence and radar. All the information on them is displayed on the display instrumentation.[11]

Ka-32s are used for construction of transmission towers for overhead power lines, as it has somewhat higher lift capacity than the Vertol 107.[12] In Canada, the Ka-32 is used for selective logging as it is able to lift selective species vertically.[13]

In August 2013, a Kamov Ka-32, C-GKHL operating in Bella Coola, British Columbia, Canada, experienced failure of one of its Klimov TV3-117BMA engines (manufactured by Motor Sich in Ukraine). The subsequent technical investigation indicated that there was poor quality control in the assembly of the compressor turbine, leading to failure of the complete unit after several compressor blades separated.[14]

Ka-27s have been used by the Syrian Navy during the ongoing Syrian Civil War.[15]

On 21 June 2024, a Ka-29 was reportedly shot down over Crimea, by a Russian Pantsir-S1, during a Ukrainian drone attack involving both air and naval drones, killing the crew of four.[16]

Variants

[edit]

Military

[edit]
A Russian Navy Ka-27PS
Three Russian Navy Ka-27M
Ka-252
First prototype.[1]
Ka-27K
Anti-submarine warfare prototype.
Ka-27PL
(Helix-A) Anti-submarine warfare helicopter.[1]
Ka-27PS
(Helix-D) Search and rescue helicopter, ASW equipment removed and winch fitted.[1]
Ka-27PV
Armed version of the Ka-27PS.
Ka-27M
The latest modification of the helicopter, equipped with radar and tactical command systems that include the following systems: acoustic sensors, magnetometric sensors, signals intelligence, and FH-A radar with active phased array antenna. The radar is mounted under the fuselage and provides all-around vision in the search and detection of surface, air, and ground targets. Serial upgrading of Ka-27Ms to the level of combatant helicopters was planned to begin in 2014. By the end of 2016, 46 Ka-27PLs had been scheduled for modernization, commissioned by the Russian Navy. The first eight serial Ka-27M were transferred in December 2016.[17] Mass production approved in June 2017 and started in early 2018.[18][19][20] A new delivery of 5 helicopters arrived in October 2018.[21][22] Half of the fleet is modernized as of December 2018.[23]
Ka-28
(Helix-A)[citation needed] Export version of the Ka-27PL.[1]
Ka-29
Ka-29TB
(Helix-B) Assault transport armored helicopter, with accommodation for two pilots and 16 troops. 4 suspensions carry rockets, guns, bombs and anti-tank missiles. Production begun in the 1980s and over 60 were produced. Currently under re-activation and upgrade with changed engines and installed modern arms and electronics, among others.[24]
Ka-31
Early-warning helicopter.[25]

Civil

[edit]
Heliswiss Ka-32 installs digital-TV transmitter in Århus, Denmark.
Ka-32A
Civil transport helicopter. Initial production version.
Ka-32A1
Fire fighting helicopter, equipped with a helicopter bucket.
Ka-32A2
Police version, equipped with two searchlights and a loudspeaker.
Ka-32A4
Special search and rescue, salvage and evacuation version.
Ka-32A7
Armed version developed from the Ka-27PS.
Ka-32A11BC
Canadian, Chinese, European-certified version with Klimov TV3-117MA engines and Glass Cockpit. Used by Pegasus Air Services, Indonesia.[26]
Ka-32A12
Swiss-registered and approved version.
KA-32C
Little-known custom version.
Ka-32M
Projected development with 1839kW TV3-117VMA-SB3 engines. Probably replaced by the Ka-32-10 project.
Kamov Ka-32S of Omega Helicopters at Moscow Bykovo airfield in 2004
Ka-32S
(Helix-C) Maritime utility transport, search and rescue helicopter, fitted with an undernose radar.
Ka-32T
(Helix-C) Utility transport helicopter, with accommodation for two crew and 16 passengers.
Ka-32K
Flying crane helicopter, fitted with a retractable gondola for a second pilot.

Operators

[edit]
A Ukrainian Naval Aviation Ka-27 preparing for take off from USS Taylor
Ka-32 of Korea National Park Service
Map with military/government operators in blue, civilian operators in red, and operators in both fields in purple.

Military and government operators

[edit]
 Algeria
 Azerbaijan
 China
 India
 Laos
 North Korea
 Russia
 Serbia
 South Korea
 Spain
 Syria
 Thailand
 Ukraine
 Vietnam
 Yemen
Photo of KA-32 Helicopter on temporary display at Aviation Museum of BC
KA-32A11BC

Civilian operators

[edit]
Ka-32 A12 of Heliswiss
Kamov Ka-32T of BNPB
 Brazil
 Canada
  • Vancouver Island Helicopters[41]
 Republic of Korea
 Switzerland
 Indonesia
 Japan
  • Akagi Helicopter[50]
 Bulgaria

Former operators

[edit]
 Portugal
 Yugoslavia
 Soviet Union

Specifications (Ka-27)

[edit]

Data from [55][56]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one-three, plus two-three specialists (Ka-27)
  • Capacity: 4,000 kg (8,818 lb) payload (Ka-32), or up to 16 troops (Ka-29).
  • Length: 11.3 m (37 ft 1 in)
  • Height: 5.5 m (18 ft 1 in)
  • Empty weight: 6,500 kg (14,330 lb)
  • Gross weight: 11,000 kg (24,251 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 12,000 kg (26,455 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Isotov TV3-117V turboshaft engines, 1,660 kW (2,230 hp) each
  • Main rotor diameter: 2 × 15.8 m (51 ft 10 in)
  • Main rotor area: 392.2 m2 (4,222 sq ft) 3-bladed contra-rotating rotors

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 270 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 205 km/h (127 mph, 111 kn)
  • Range: 980 km (610 mi, 530 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 5,000 m (16,000 ft)

Armament
Ka-27

Ka-29TB

  • 1 × mobile forward firing GShG-7.62 machine gun with 1800 rounds,
  • 1 × 30 mm 2A42 cannon with 250 rounds (flexible semi-rigid mount, optional/removable with ammunition carried in cabin)
  • four external hardpoints for bombs, rockets, gunpods, munitions dispensers, special four round missile launchers for the 9K114 Shturm

Avionics

See also

[edit]

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

[edit]
Notes
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "[Actu] Modernisation des Kamov Ka-27PL". Red Samovar. 3 March 2017.
  2. ^ Taylor 1996, pp.316–317
  3. ^ "UEC launches mass production of VK-2500P engines". 26 May 2021.
  4. ^ Nealy, Sylvia (27 July 2010). "Russian Navy conducts flight training aboard US ship". Rotorhub. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
  5. ^ "Russian Helicopters unveils Ka-32 upgrade".
  6. ^ "Russian Helicopters and South Korean RH Focus Corp. are creating a service center". rostec.ru. Archived from the original on 12 August 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  7. ^ "Russian Helicopters visit South Korea". www.helicopterinvestor.com. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  8. ^ Ahn, Se Hyun (2009). "Understanding Russian–South Korean Arms Trade". Armed Forces & Society. 35 (3): 421–436. doi:10.1177/0095327X08330817. JSTOR 48608917. S2CID 220899100. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  9. ^ "KAMOV Ka-32". omundodaprogramacao.com. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
  10. ^ "Ka-28 Ka-31 in Chinese navy". AirForceWorld.com. Archived from the original on 1 May 2013. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
  11. ^ "Russia creates new generation of shipborne helicopter radars".
  12. ^ "Powering Up – Vertical Magazine". verticalmag.com. Archived from the original on 4 October 2015. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  13. ^ "VIH Aviation Group – Pride in Service since 1955". www.vih.com. Archived from the original on 7 November 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  14. ^ Canada, Government of Canada, Transportation Safety Board of (7 January 2015). "Aviation Investigation Report A13P0163 – Transportation Safety Board of Canada". www.tsb.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 7 April 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ "S. Damascus: rare insight of a Syrian Navy Ka-27 dropping bombs on Khan As-Sheih pocket - Map of Syrian Civil War - Syria news today - syria.liveuamap.com". Map of Syrian Civil War - Syria news today - syria.liveuamap.com. Archived from the original on 3 November 2016. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  16. ^ Dylan Malyasov (21 June 2024). "Russia reportedly loses Ka-29 helicopter to friendly fire". Defence Blog. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  17. ^ "Russia's naval aviation receives 8 upgraded Ka-27M deck-based helicopters". Archived from the original on 10 January 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  18. ^ "Modernized Ka-27M helicopters for the Russian Ministry of Defense". 22 August 2017. Archived from the original on 23 August 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  19. ^ "Russian Helicopters deliver upgraded Ka-27Ms to Defense Ministry". Archived from the original on 10 January 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  20. ^ "Naval aviation to receive about 50 modernised Ka-27 helicopters : Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation". eng.mil.ru. Archived from the original on 9 February 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  21. ^ "ЦАМТО / Новости / Морская авиация Балтийского флота получила на вооружение модернизированные вертолеты Ка-27М". Archived from the original on 6 October 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  22. ^ "ЦАМТО / Новости / На аэродроме Черняховск провели облет первого модернизированного вертолета Ка-27М". Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  23. ^ "Janes | Latest defence and security news". Archived from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  24. ^ "Russia: Upgraded Kamov Ka-29 helicopters to operate in Arctic".
  25. ^ "[Actu] Le Kamov Ka-31(R)". Red Samovar. 21 March 2020.
  26. ^ "Ka helicopters for sale. Ka 32, Ka 62, Ka 226. Buy ka helicopter in Russia and World". kahelicopter.com. 23 February 2015. Archived from the original on 1 July 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "World Air Forces 2018". Flightglobal Insight. 2018. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  28. ^ a b Mitzer, Stijn; Oliemans, Joost (9 December 2020). "Caspian Amphibians - Azerbaijan's Elusive Fleet Of Beriev Amphibious Aircraft". Oryx.
  29. ^ Oliemans, Joost; Mitzer, Stijn (13 May 2020). "In aid of Juche: how Cuban anti-submarine helicopters ended up in North Korea". NK News.
  30. ^ Mladenov Air International May 2011, p. 112.
  31. ^ Banković, Živojin (26 October 2022). "Ruski protivpožarni helikopter Ka-32 isporučen Srbiji: Drugo predstavljanje javnosti ispred Kule Beograd, bez pominjanja drugog helikoptera". Tango Six Portal (in Serbian). Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  32. ^ "ЦАМТО / / Сербия получила второй пожарный вертолет Ка-32 из России".
  33. ^ "Korea Coast Guard 2012 White Paper". Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
  34. ^ "소방항공대 헬기 현황". www.nfa.go.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  35. ^ "산림항공기". fao.forest.go.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  36. ^ "항공대 창설과 헬기 도입". www.knps.or.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  37. ^ "Helicópteros bombarderos". www.miteco.gob.es (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  38. ^ "รัสเซียปูดข่าวไทยซื้อ "ปักเป้า" Ka-32 ฮ.สุดทันสมัย สำหรับค้นหากู้ภัย-ดับเพลิง". 21 August 2017.
  39. ^ "World Air Forces 2021". FlightGlobal. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
  40. ^ "Helicargo Services". helicargo.com.br. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  41. ^ "From Russia With Love". Annex Business Media. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  42. ^ "FLEET". www.eng.helikorea.co.kr. Archived from the original on 4 August 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  43. ^ "FLEET". www.ubair.co.kr. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  44. ^ "FLEET". www.uihelijet.com. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  45. ^ "Heli Swiss Fleet". heliswissinternational.ch. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  46. ^ "Kamov Ka-32A 11BC: Dari Padamkan Api Sampai Guyur Massa di Kerusuhan 22 Mei – Indomiliter.com". 23 May 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  47. ^ "Ka-32A11BC". www.russianhelicopters.aero. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  48. ^ "Spesifikasi Helikopter Kamov Ka-32, Pembawa Water Bombing untuk Redam Aksi Ricuh di Petamburan". Tribunnews.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  49. ^ "HL9470 - Private Kamov Ka-32 at Ardmore". airplane-pictures.net. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  50. ^ "Aircraft fleet". akagi-heli.co.jp. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  51. ^ i-nature.com. "BHAirlines". www.bhairlines.com. Archived from the original on 26 January 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  52. ^ Gabriel, Centeno (31 August 2022). "Portugal buys six Black Hawk helicopters for firefighting". Aeroflap. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  53. ^ Pavliuk, Oleh; Petrenko, Roman (8 September 2024). "Portugal completes delivery of 6 Ka-32 helicopters to Ukraine". Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  54. ^ "World Air Forces 1997 pg. 71". flightglobal.com. Archived from the original on 16 May 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  55. ^ "Kamov Ka-27 Helix". helis.com. Archived from the original on 22 May 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
  56. ^ "Kamov KA-27 Helix". combataircraft.com. Archived from the original on 13 June 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
Bibliography
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kamov Ka-27.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kamov_Ka-27&oldid=1253170004"