Kamov Ka-27

Ka-27
A Russian Navy Ka-27PS
Role	Anti-submarine helicopter
Manufacturer	Kamov
First flight	24 December 1973
Introduction	1982
Primary users	Soviet Navy Russian Navy Ukrainian Navy Indian Navy
Unit cost	$1,500,000
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 Russia, Ukraine, Vietnam, South Korea, People's Republic of China, Republic of China 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 1970 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 a co-axial rotor, 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.

In 2011, the Portuguese government considered selling the six Kamov Ka-32 employed in aerial firefighting due to the aircraft's reported astronomical maintenance costs. The aircraft would be replaced in its fire fighting role with the country's aging Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma fleet, which has been deactivated following the purchase of AgustaWestland AW101.

Variants

A Ka-27 assigned to the Russian destroyer Admiral Vinogradov (DDG 572) flies near the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) while conducting operations in 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-28

(Helix-A) Export version of the Ka-27Pl.

Rescue Ka-28 over Niš, Serbia in September 2010

Ka-29TB

(Helix-B) Assault transport helicopter, with accommodation for two pilots and 16 troops.

Ka-29RLD

Airborne early warning, surface surveillance helicopter; later redesignated Ka-31.

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

Ka-27 operators. Civilian in Blue, Military in Red, and both in Purple

The Ka-27

Ka-32 A12 of Heliswiss

Military operators

Algeria

• Algerian Air Force operates 3 Ka-32T helicopters.

China

• People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force

Cuba

• Cuban Air Force

India

• Indian Navy

Russia

• Russian Naval Aviation

Soviet Union

• Soviet Naval Aviation

Syria

• Syrian Navy operates 4 Ka-28PL Helix-A

Ukraine

• Ukrainian Naval Aviation

Vietnam

• Vietnam People's Navy

Republic of Korea

• Republic of Korea Air Force operates 7 Ka-32A4s (local designation HH-32) for CSAR since June 2004.

Yugoslavia

• Yugoslav Air Force - Former operator.

Civilian operators

Canada

• Vancouver Island Helicopters (VIH) operates 3 Ka-32 A11 BC helicopters (two of them lease to Taiwanese civilian operator (Sunrise airlines) from 2001 until now).

Indonesia

• Indonesia plan to buy the Ka-32 for non-military purposes (evacuation, search and rescue, cargo and firefighting) and for the Indonesian Police (Polisi Lintas Udara)

Iran

• Iran plans to manufacture at least 50 Ka-32's under license.

Japan

• Akagi Helicoptor operates Ka-32 A11 BC.

Portugal

• EMA, SA – operates six Kamov Ka-32 for the Portuguese government during firefighting season and in civilian use.

Russia

• Omega Helicopters operates the Ka-32S

Republic of Korea

• Korean Forestry Service and Coast Guard operate more than 60 KA-32S/T.

Spain

• Helisureste operates Ka-32 A11 BC.

South Africa

• South African AIRREP operates Ka-32.

Kamov Ka-32 firefighting in Cape Town, South Africa

Heliswiss Ka-32 installs digital-tv transmitter in Århus, Denmark

Switzerland

• Helog Heliswiss operates Ka-32 A12.
• Heliswiss operates Ka-32T.

Taiwan

• Sunrise Airlines Company operates 1 Ka-32A11BC helicopters (B-77999) for heavy lifting, leasing from Canada VIH company.

Turkey

• Turkish Ministry of Forestry operates 8 Ka-32 helicopters for firefighting.

Specifications (Ka-27)

Data from^{[citation needed]}

General characteristics

• Crew: 1-3, plus 2-3 specialists
• Length: 11.30 m (37 ft 1 in)
• Rotor diameter: 15.80 m (51 ft 10 in)
• Height: 5.50 m (18 ft 1 in)
• Empty weight: 6,500 kg (14,300 lb)
• Loaded weight: 11,000 kg (24,200 lb)
• Useful load: 4,000 kg (8,800 lb)
• Max. takeoff weight: 12,000 kg (26,400 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Isotov turboshaft engines, 1,660 kW (2,225 shp) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 270 km/h (145 knots, 166 mph)
• Cruise speed: 205 km/h (110 knots, 126 mph)
• Range: 980 km (530 nm, 605 mi)
• Service ceiling: 5,000 m (16,400 ft)

Armament

Ka-27

• 1 × torpedoes (AT-1M, VTT-1, UMGT-1 Orlan, APR-2 Yastreb) or 36 RGB-NM & RGB-NM-1 sonobouys

Ka-29TB

• 1 × mobile forward firing GShG-7.62 minigun 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
• contrary to some reports the internal weapon load is not retained and is replaced by an armoured passenger compartment for up to sixteen troops

Avionics

• Radar, MAD or dipping sonar, sonobuoys

See also

Related development

• Kamov Ka-25
• Kamov Ka-31
  

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• SH-60 Seahawk
  

Related lists

• List of military aircraft of the Soviet Union and the CIS
• List of helicopter models
  

References

Notes

Bibliography

• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1996). Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory. London, England: Brassey's. ISBN 1 85733 1981 1. 

External links

• Kamov Ka-27 - Information Resource (eng/rus)