Kamov Ka-27

Ka-27
A Russian Navy Ka-27PS
Role Anti-submarine helicopter
National origin Soviet Union/Russia
Manufacturer Kamov
First flight 24 December 1973[1]
Introduction 1982
Status Active, In production
Primary users Soviet Navy
Russian Navy
Ukrainian Navy
Indian Navy
Produced 1981-present
Number built 267
Developed from Kamov Ka-25
Variants Kamov Ka-31

The Kamov Ka-27 (NATO reporting name 'Helix') is a military helicopter developed for the Soviet Navy, and currently in service in various countries including Russia, Ukraine, Vietnam, People's Republic of China, Republic of Korea (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

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 is similar in appearance to its predecessor due to the requirements of fitting in the same hangar space. Like other Kamov military helicopters it has coaxial rotors, removing the need for a tail rotor. Ka-32 variants, e.g. the Klimov-powered Ka-32A11BC, have been certified for commercial operations throughout the world, notably in Canada and Europe.

Operational history

Ka-27s aboard the aircraft carrier Novorossiysk in 1984

A Russian Navy Ka-27 helicopter from the Russian Udaloy-class destroyer RS Severomorsk (DDG 619) conducted interoperability deck landing training on board USS Mount Whitney on 22 July 2010.[2]

Ka-32A11BC multipurpose helicopters have been successfully operated in Portugal for over five years. In 2006, KAMOV JSC won the tender for the supply of Ka-32A11BC firefighting helicopters, to replace Aérospatiale SA-330 Pumas, which have very high operating costs.

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.[3]

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.[4]

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.

Ka-32s are used for construction of transmission towers for overhead power lines, as it has somewhat higher lift capacity than the Vertol 107.[5] In Canada, the Ka-32 is used for selective logging as it is able to lift selective species vertically.[6]

In August 2013, a Kamov Ka-32, C-GKHL operating in Bella Coola, 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.[7]

Syrian Navy Ka-27's were used to bomb rebel positions in Damascus during the ongoing Syrian Civil War. [8]

Variants

A Ka-27 assigned to the Russian destroyer Admiral Vinogradov flying by the USS Vella Gulf over the Gulf of Aden.
Ka-25-2
First prototype.
Ka-27K
Anti-submarine warfare prototype.
Ka-27PL
(Helix-A) Anti-submarine warfare helicopter.
Ka-27PS
(Helix-D) Search and rescue helicopter, ASW equipment removed and winch fitted.
Ka-27PV
Armed version of the Ka-27PS.
Ka-27M
The latest modification of the helicopter, equipped with radar and tactical command system that includes the following systems: acoustic, magnetometric, signals intelligence and radar with active phased array antenna FH-A. Radar mounted under the fuselage and provides allround visibility in the search and detection of surface, air and ground targets. Serial upgrading to the level of combatant helicopters Ka-27M was planned to begin in 2014. Until the end of 2014, eight Ka-27PLs of the Aviation of the Northern Fleet are going to modernization, commissioned by the Russian Navy.[9]
Ka-28
(Helix-A) Export version of the Ka-27PL.
Heliswiss Ka-32 installs digital-TV transmitter in Århus, Denmark.
Ka-29TB
(Helix-B) Assault transport helicopter, with accommodation for two pilots and 16 troops.
Ka-252RLD
A radar picket variant of the Ka-31 early warning helicopter first displayed in 2008. RLD designation: radiolokatsyonnogo dozora. Two units delivered to Russian MoD by 2010.[10]
Kamov Ka-32S of Omega Helicopters at Moscow Bykovo airfield in 2004
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 and European-certified version with Klimov TV3-117MA engines.
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.
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

A Ukrainian Naval Aviation Ka-27 preparing for take off from the USS Taylor
The Ka-27
Ka-32 A12 of Heliswiss
Republic of Korea Air Force operates Kamov Ka-32A4s(local designation HH-32) for CSAR

Military and government operators

 Algeria
 China
 Democratic People's Republic of Korea
 India
 Laos
 Russia
 Syria
 Ukraine
 Vietnam
 Republic of Korea

Civilian operators

 Russia
 Brazil
 Canada
  Switzerland
 Japan
 Portugal

Former operators

 Yugoslavia

Specifications (Ka-27)

Data from [22][23]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

Ka-27

Ka-29TB

Avionics

See also

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
Related lists

References

Notes
  1. ↑ Taylor 1996, pp.316-317
  2. ↑ Nealy, Sylvia. Russian Navy conducts flight training aboard US ship Rotorhub, 27 July 2010. Retrieved: 4 August 2010.
  3. ↑ "KAMOV Ka-32". omundodaprogramacao.com. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
  4. ↑ "Ka-28 Ka-31 in Chinese navy". AirForceWorld.com. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
  5. ↑ "Powering Up - Vertical Magazine". verticalmag.com. Archived from the original on 4 October 2015. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  6. ↑ http://www.vih.com/Services/vihhelicopters.html
  7. ↑ http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/rapports-reports/aviation/2013/a13p0163/a13p0163.asp
  8. ↑ http://syria.liveuamap.com/en/2016/2-november-s-damascus-rare-insight-of-a-syrian-navy-ka27
  9. ↑ http://flot.com/2014/177368/
  10. ↑ Jackson, Paul (Ed) (2010). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2010 - 2011. Surry: IHS Global. p. 503. ISBN 0710629168.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "World Air Forces 2013" (PDF). Flightglobal Insight. 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  12. ↑ "Airscene: Military Affairs: Laos". Air International. Vol. 59 no. 3. September 2000. p. 133. ISSN 0306-5634.
  13. ↑ Mladenov Air International May 2011, p. 112.
  14. ↑ "Korea Coast Guard 2012 White Paper". Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  15. ↑ http://heliblog.tistory.com/77
  16. ↑ "Helicargo Services". helicargo.com.br. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  17. ↑ "From Russia With Love". Annex Business Media. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  18. ↑ "Heli Swiss Fleet". heliswissinternational.ch. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  19. ↑ "Aircraft fleet". akagi-heli.co.jp. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  20. ↑ http://www.heliportugal.pt/#/en/fleet/enkamov
  21. ↑ "World Air Forces 1997 pg. 71". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  22. ↑ "Kamov Ka-27 Helix". www.helis.com. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
  23. ↑ "Kamov KA-27 Helix". www.combataircraft.com. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
Bibliography
  • Mladenov, Alexander (May 2011). "Fighting Terrorism & Enforcing the Law in Russia". Air International. Vol. 80 no. 5. pp. 108–114. ISSN 0306-5634. 
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1996). Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory. London, England: Brassey's. ISBN 1-85753-198-1. 
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