The first mass-produced helicopter, developed by the Kamov Design Bureau, took to the skies in April 1953, but the glorious history of the legendary aircraft under the Ka brand began much earlier.
Red Engineer
Nikolai Ilyich Kamov, having received an excellent technical education at a commercial school (graduating with a gold medal) and at the mechanical faculty of the Tomsk Technological Institute, acquired practical skills at the Junkers concession plant (Moscow) and the Dobrolet central aircraft workshops. Passionate about aviation, a 25-year-old young man was noticed and invited to his experimental design bureau for the design of seaplanes by D. P. Grigorovich. It was here that Kamov became seriously interested in gyroplanes - rotary-wing aircraft. And by 1929, in collaboration with N. Skrzhinsky, the first Soviet machine of this type, the Red Engineer (KASKR-1), was developed and built.
In the early 30s of the last century, Nikolai Ilyich headed one of the design teams of TsAGI (Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute). By order of the Air Force of the young republic underThe leadership and with the direct participation of Kamov developed a two-seat gyroplane A-7. These aircraft were not only used for military intelligence purposes, but were also actively used in the national economy. Since 1940, Kamov headed the first helicopter design bureau in the USSR, which, several decades later, was named after him.
From "Chicken" to "Killer Whale"
All helicopters of the Kamov Design Bureau are distinguished by a minimum level of vibration and excellent aerobatic qualities. Even at the dawn of the domestic helicopter industry, Nikolai Ilyich was critical of single-rotor and longitudinal twin-rotor helicopter designs, preferring machines with a coaxial arrangement of the rotor blades. Among the undeniable advantages of such a scheme, he pointed out:
- aerodynamic symmetry;
- independence of control channels;
- excellent stability in all takeoff and landing and heading modes;
- comparative simplicity and accessibility of piloting technique training.
Kamov's helicopter builders have actually proved to the whole world that the reliability and quality of all serial models of helicopters from the first Ka-15 ("chicken" according to NATO classification) to the modern Ka-62 ("Kasatka") and Ka-226T ("Hooligan") is not inferior to foreign analogues. These aircraft hold more than twenty world records. For the first time in the history of domestic civil aviation in 1994, the Russian Ka-32 rotorcraft received a certificate of validity in accordance with the standardsUnited States Aviation Regulations.
Without exaggeration, we can say that the Kamov company has a significant impact on the formation of global trends in the development of the production of civil, specialized and military helicopters.
Helicopter Ka-226T. Creation history
According to marketing research, more than 80% of cargo-passenger helicopter air transportation within the country is carried out by light class cars. At the end of the last century, the shortage of flight equipment in this segment was more than 600 units. In this regard, the specialists of the company "Kamov" began the development of a new helicopter, combining in its design the best elements of the previous models Ka-26 and Ka-126. But, unlike them, equipped with two power units that provide the necessary level of safety.
The first flight tests of the new Ka-226 helicopter took place in September 1994. Serial production of this model was established at the Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise (Bashkortostan) and NPO Strela (Orenburg). As a result of further optimization and modernization of the product, a modification of the Ka-226T was created. In 2015, the new model passed mandatory certification and was put into serial production. Among the main customers of the Ka-226T helicopter are law enforcement agencies and government agencies: the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the administration of the capital, RAO UES, Gazprom. The State Customs Committee, the Federal Border Service and other units are expressing serious interest.
Design features
Technical conditions for the Ka-226T, presented by customers, should ensure the possibility of performing any specialized work in hard-to-reach highlands, in a hot and humid climate, above the sea surface without a significant reduction in flight and economic performance.
The main difference from the basic modification is in the power plants. Instead of gas turbine engines Allison 250 (Rolls-Royce), the Ka-226T is equipped with more powerful GTE Arrius 2G1 with an electronic control system, the French company Turbomeca, which has a positive effect on the takeoff weight and payload of the helicopter. The practical ceiling was increased to 7.5 km, and the speed - up to 250 km / h. The maximum takeoff weight of the machine is 3.6 tons, the payload mass is 1.45 tons. It should be noted that a project is being actively developed to replace imported power plants with Russian ones. In the St. Petersburg JSC "ODK-Klimov", a domestic turboshaft engine of the 5th generation VK-800V is being tested. Whether he will be able to adequately compete technically and economically with the French counterpart, time will tell.
The latest polymer composite materials (PCM or composites) are used in the design of the transport cabin, tail kit, propeller blades. The photo of the Ka-226T multi-purpose helicopter emphasizes the modern design of its exterior.
Main parameters
Comparative characteristics of Russian helicopters Ka-226T and Ka-226shown in the table (according to information provided by the Russian Helicopters holding).
| Aircraft | Ka-226 | Ka-226T |
| Main rotor (diameter, m) | 13 | 13 |
| Length (m) | 8, 1 | 8, 1 |
| Height (m) | 4, 185 | 4, 185 |
| Take-off weight (normal, kg) | 3100 | 3200 |
| Take-off weight (reloading, including external sling, kg) | 3400 | 3800 |
| Max payload (kg) | 1200 | 1500 |
| Power Plants | Allison M-250 | Arrius 2G1 |
| Max power (hp) | 2450 | 2580 |
| Specific engine load (kg/hp) | 3, 8 | 2, 75 |
| Speed (cruising/maximum, km/h) | 195/210 | 220/250 |
| Ceiling (static/dynamic, km) | 2, 6/4, 2 | 4, 1/5, 7 |
| Maximum range (km) | 520 | 520 |
| Suspended cabin dimensions (LWH/Volume, m3) | 2, 351, 541, 4/ 5, 4 | |
| Cost (million rubles) | 175 | 245 |
The helicopter crew is 1-2 people, the number of passengers carried, with the appropriate equipment, increases to 9.manufacturers, the machine does not need hangar storage. The overall characteristics of the Ka-226T make it possible to successfully operate the helicopter in dense urban areas from areas of limited size: the fuselage and empennage do not protrude beyond the area swept by the rotor blades. The operating temperature range of the machine is from -50˚С to +55˚С (at maximum relative humidity). In the photo, the Ka-226T helicopter demonstrates excellent flight performance in the difficult conditions of the highlands.
Systems and equipment
Instrumentation and flight and navigation equipment of the aircraft has undergone a thorough modernization. The newest avionics complex Ka-226T allows pilots to determine the flight parameters and the spatial position of the machine according to the readings of on-board instruments in conditions of insufficient and limited visibility. The large glass area of the cab canopy guarantees an excellent view of the outside space. The pilot's seat is equipped with a comfortable seat of an energy-absorbing design (manufactured by NPO Zvezda named after G. I. Severin (Tomilino township, Moscow region), known for its developments in the field of life support for high- altitude and space flights). The location of the dashboard, levers and control panels on the Ka-226T (photo below) is distinguished by ergonomics thought out to the smallest detail.
The non-retractable landing gear of the aircraft is made of four-column with increased energy absorption of depreciation and hydraulic brakemain chassis system. The propeller blades are equipped with electrothermal, and the cockpit windows are equipped with air-thermal anti-icing systems.
Power supply of onboard consumers is provided by direct voltage 27 V, alternating voltage 200 V, 115 V and 36 V (frequency 400 Hz). Modernized KAU-165M combined units are used in all helicopter control channels.
Target modifications
The main advantage, which is worth mentioning in the description of the Ka-226T helicopter, is the versatility and modularity of the design. In this regard, the product of JSC "Kamov" has a very wide range of applications. One machine is capable of solving very diverse tasks. It will take less than half an hour to re-equip and prepare the helicopter right on the take-off site for the corresponding mission. To do this, it is enough to replace one module with another.
An emergency rescue type of helicopter has been developed for the units of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. A winch with a lifting capacity of up to 300 kg, with an electric drive, is mounted on board. The high accuracy of the static hovering of the rotorcraft guarantees the safe recovery of victims on board the helicopter. On the right side of the module is a spacious container with emergency supplies. The vehicle is equipped with a loudspeaker broadcasting unit and can carry up to 9 people.
The helicopter has two options for medical purposes: sanitary evacuation and resuscitation. First, except for oxygen cylinders and related equipment,capable of carrying two casu alties on board in a supine position, and reclining seats are provided for personnel. The Ka-226T (Flying Resuscitation) shown in the photo allows two doctors to provide the necessary assistance to one patient directly during the flight.
Patrol and law enforcement, fire and passenger modules are in great demand by state and law enforcement agencies. There is also a platform for transporting oversized cargo.
Specially for the needs of Gazprom, a modification of the Ka-226TG was developed for operation in the regions of the Far North. A series of Ka-226TM deck-based vehicles (with folding rotor blades and additional anti-corrosion treatment) for the coast guard units of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation was also released.
Production and export
It was decided to start production of new Kamov rotorcraft at KumAPP in Bashkortostan, and since 2015, serial production of the model has been launched here. Experts expressed serious concern about whether the product could adequately compete with foreign counterparts. Flight tests of the Ka-226T in India, Iran and Kazakhstan dispelled all fears. The agreement on cooperation in the field of helicopter construction between India and the Russian Federation, signed in 2015, gave the project, without exaggeration, strategic importance. As part of the document, the Russian Helicopters holding undertakes to organize the supply of rotorcraft with the letter "T" to the armed forces of our South Asian partner with dueservice and technical support. And also set up joint production in India.
According to this project, the first 60 helicopters are to be assembled in Russia at the aviation plant in Kumertau and the Ulan-Ude aircraft plant, and the next 140 at the new production facilities at the HAL site in Tumakuru (Bangalore, India). The cost of the enterprise under construction, capable of producing up to 35 products per year, is estimated at almost 40 billion rubles. The first Indian helicopters are due to roll off the assembly line at Tumakuru in 2018.
A bit of negativity
The Russian helicopter Ka-226T, like any aircraft, has advantages and disadvantages of its design. Significant disadvantages include a significant profile resistance of a high column of rotors, which adversely affects fuel efficiency and the level of cabin vibration at flight speeds of more than 160 km/h.
A rather common phenomenon is the "sagging" of the main landing gear, as the tightness of the shock absorbers leaves much to be desired. The power supply system includes a large number of imported components, and in these difficult times this can become a real problem in case of malfunctions. Quite a few complaints from the operators were to the design of the main gearbox VR-226, which has an extremely low resource. Subsequently, it was replaced by a more reliable unit BP-226N.
It remains to be hoped that the management of JSC "Kamov" will continue to promptly respond to notifications from operators aboutproblems and shortcomings and timely amend the production technology of the product.
Prospects and directions of development
In 2017, a joint project of Technodinamika and Russian Helicopters holdings was implemented to create the latest fuel system for rotary-wing aircraft. It should exclude the leakage of fuel in case of accidents. The system was developed for several specific models, including the Russian Ka-226T helicopter.
The General Director of the Russian Helicopters holding company, while visiting the Kumertau aviation enterprise, noted that the domestic helicopter industry is the undisputed world leader in the production of coaxial rotorcraft. According to Boginsky, it is this scheme that looks the most promising when creating unmanned vehicles.
Head of OJSC "Kamov" Sergey Mikheev in an interview to the TV channel "Zvezda" shared his vision of the main trends in the development of the helicopter industry. Among the main directions, he named an increase in the speed of rotorcraft (at least twice), improvement of equipment for more complete automation of all flight modes, combat and specialized functions of helicopters.
