| Home | Land | Air | Sea | Missiles | Weapons | Surveillance | Comms | Europe | Russia | S. America | S.E Asia |
|
|
Rotors from Russia |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Kamov president S Mikheyev details the range of helicopter products and services that his company can provide. |
Russia's Kamov Company is well-known throughout the world for its innovative ideas in the design and development of combat helicopters for use over both land and sea. In modern warfare combat actions are localised and often lack any clear-cut combat front-line. Hostilities can be transferred to towns and mountainous areas, more convenient sites for ambush. Tanks have little chance of surviving in such cramped confines; only helicopters can deliver adequate fire support and protection for tanks and in often can effectively do a better job.
In such circumstances helicopters should:
The most effective and economic armament is a gun firing high-explosive fragmentation (HE) and armour-piercing (AP) rounds. The missile should be laser-guided and capable of hitting organised fire positions at a distance of up to 10km. The gun should also fire conventional anti-tank (AT) rounds. Armed in this way, helicopters become less vulnerable than tanks. Such an air vehicle - the Ka-50-2 - is now available from Russia. The Future Now |
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The Ka-50-2 boasts a number of design and combat-specific features. It can be armed with 20mm and 30mm calibre guns, including a rotary turret gun. The VIKHR (Swirl) (NATO: AT-16) anti-tank missile, developed by Russia's Tula Design Bureau, is a unique weapon. This automatic laser-guided missile can hit state-of-the-art armoured vehicles and has two types of fuses in its warheads. The first actuates the hollow-charge and HE fragmentation warheads to hit tanks rigged with different types of armour protection. The second is a non-contact fuse to be actuated when the missile flies near the air target, as in the case of air-to-air missiles.
The type of fuse used can be determined by the pilot during the course of the mission. The helicopter is also armed with air-to-air missiles. Combat survivability is the bottom line of the Ka-50-2 design concept that is based on the absence of a tail rotor and drives: when these are hit, a crash is inevitable. Despite this, should the helicopter be hit, the Ka-50-2 crew can bail out at any point during the helicopter's flight via a unique jettison system. One cockpit side-by-side configuration serves for easier crew co-operation, minimises the time needed for decision-making and thus increases mission completion reliability. Both pilot and co-pilot can take over the controls of the helicopter and armament operation. This configuration also provides the best solution for crew training and skills perfection. The KA-60 multi-purpose |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Kamov's latest model, the Ka-60, can carry out a wide range of tasks during combat. The transport cabin's 9.8 cubic metres can accommodate one squad equipped with the necessary weaponry and ammunition sets. Two sliding doors on each side of the cargo cabin facilitate the rapid entrance/exit of nine assault troops within five to six seconds. In the medevac variant, the Ka-60 can carry six casualties on stretchers, three accompanying persons and 14 casualties on seats.
The maximum internal cargo weight is 2,000kg; up to 2,750kg can be transported on the external cargo hook. The maximum weight at take-off is 6,500kg. The Ka-60 can operate in a wide range of outside air temperatures, at altitudes of up to 6,000m at high cruise speeds and with a range of 600km. Advanced technology |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Flight performance data, reliability and power ratio are markedly higher than existing models, thanks to airframe optimisation, retractable landing gear and the installation of two RD-600 engines. Created specially for the Ka-60 by Rybinsk Engines, they have a take-off power of 1,300hp each and are the best available in Russia. Their modular design and advanced technology ensure low fuel consumption and a high level of maintainability. There is an automatic electronic digital control system with a reserved hydromechanical channel and sophisticated monitoring diagnostics system. Should one engine become inoperative - including during take-off - the second increases its power automatically. If necessary, the engines and gearbox can operate in extreme mode exceeding take-off power by 20 to 25 per cent.
The main rotor blades are equipped with an electronic anti-icing system and the engine intakes feature an air heating system. Dust protection devices are also installed in the air intakes of the engines and blade leading edges are protected against erosion. The control system rods and transmission shafts can sustain hits by 7.62mm and 12.7mm bullets, and the main rotor blades remain efficient even after being hit by a 23mm projectile. All the main systems and assemblies are redundant, and main and dual systems are arranged on each side, precluding simultaneous damage by one projectile. The self-sealing fuel tanks are equipped with a system to protect against explosion. Airframe strength and proper assembly fastenings reduce the chance of human injury from structural elements upon crash landing; the occupied volumes are also protected against deformation so that occupants will not be crushed. The standard equipment set includes a navigation system, piloting equipment package and display systems. The fuselage nose is designed to accommodate both radar and night vision systems. Performance excellence The helicopters' maintainability, up-to-date diagnostic methods, and simple maintenance procedures ensure that they constantly meet required combat standards. Excellent operating performances are achieved by using composite materials, bearings that do not require lubrication and complex equipment arrangement to service zones. An airborne automated monitoring system and power control unit allow users to quickly ascertain and display probable malfunctions. Kamov also provides continuous after-sales maintenance, pilot/engineer training and the establishment of technical classes. With 50 years' experience in helicopter design of different classes and applications, Kamov, together with the serial production plants, is able to provide a wide range of services. |
| Top | Home | Land | Air | Sea | Missiles | Weapons | Surveillance | Comms | Europe | Russia | S.America | Asia |
Copyright © 1999 Global Defence Review Ltd. All rights reserved. Question or Comments? email info@global-defence.com |
