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Kamov Ka-32
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.
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.
Operational history
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.
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 Aerospatiale 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.
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.
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.
Variants:
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-27PL Aviation SF go to modernize, commissioned by the Russian Navy.
Ka-28
(Helix-A) Export version of the Ka-27PL.
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: radiolokatsyonnoga dozora. Two units delivered to Russian MoD by 2010.
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.
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