Kamov Ka-27

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 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.

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

The Ka-32A11BC features high power-to weight ratio and ease of handling, owing to a coaxial-rotor design. The absence of tail rotor and the tail boom restricted to the main rotors' diameter facilitate maneuvering near obstacles and make it possible to assure exceptional accuracy hovering in heavy smoke and dust conditions. The Ka-32A11BC may be equipped with the suspended fire-fighting system Bambi Bucket of capacity up to 5 tons. The service life has been extended up to 32 000 flight hours.

Since 1990s, China made purchase of Ka-28 export version and Ka-31 radar warning helicopters for PLA navy fleet. Ka-31 purchase was first revealed in 2010. It is believed that Chinese Ka-28s have been equipped with more enhanced avionics comparing Ka-28 exported to other countries.

In 2013, Russia tested the new Kamov Ka-27M with an AESA 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.

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-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.

Military and government operators

 * Algerian Air Force
 * People's Liberation Navy
 * Indian Navy
 * Russian Navy
 * Syrian Navy
 * Ukrainian Navy
 * Vietnamese Navy
 * Republic of Korea Air Force
 * Republic of Korea Coast Guard
 * Korea Forest Service
 * Ukrainian Navy
 * Vietnamese Navy
 * Republic of Korea Air Force
 * Republic of Korea Coast Guard
 * Korea Forest Service
 * Republic of Korea Air Force
 * Republic of Korea Coast Guard
 * Korea Forest Service

Civilian operators

 * Helicargo
 * Vancouver Island Helicopters
 * Heliswiss
 * Akagi Helicopter
 * Heliswiss
 * Akagi Helicopter
 * Akagi Helicopter
 * Akagi Helicopter
 * Heliportugal
 * Heliportugal

Former operators

 * Yugoslav Air Force
 * Yugoslav Air Force