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Kamov Ka-31 (Helix)

1995 MODERN AIRCRAFT

History of Kamov Ka-31 (spiral)

The Kamov Ka-31 "Helix" family of medium-sized naval helicopters was born out of the Soviet Navy's need for a temporary airborne early warning platform, while devoting resources to the proposed dedicated Antonov An-71 "Madcap". The An-71 was supposed to operate directly on the flight deck of a limited Soviet carrier force, but was cancelled due to declining interest in the Yakovlev Yak-44 solution. The Yak-44 itself would be another fixed-wing design launched from Soviet aircraft carriers, but the fall of the Soviet Empire caused its development to cease. Three An-71 prototypes have been completed, while only one scale model of the Yak-44 has ever appeared.

This upheaval subsequently paved the way for an improved variant of the trusted and genuine Kamov Ka-27 "Helix" twin-rotor anti-submarine carrier-based anti-submarine helicopter family known as the "Ka-29". Design work began in 1980.

The Ka-29 airframe was equipped with the same radar system as the abandoned An-71 design. This new Helix prototype was later designated the Ka-29RLD. The fuselage was widened, but still retained the very pronounced, stout helical series shape, including its counter-rotating, stacked main rotor assemblies.

The four-point landing gear is retractable when the radar is used to prevent components from interfering with the system (four single-wheel main gear legs, two forward, two rear). The E-801E "Oko" radar system is mounted under the fuselage, laying flat on the fuselage during transport and only lowered when in use, which in turn causes the landing gear to rise. The Oko system can track targets as small as conventional fighter jets at distances of up to 150 kilometers day and night. GPS and a semi-digital cockpit became standard, and the twin-engine layout was upgraded to the Klimov-branded TV3-117VMAR engine family. Sensors and communications in the final product have also been improved.

The system underwent a lengthy period of testing and evaluation before the helicopter was cleared to fly. The first flight was recorded in 1987, and the type was officially recognized by the West in 1988 when a pair operated on deck in Tbilisi.

Due to the overthrow of the Soviet Union, the Ka-31 languished in the years of economic depression. However, when the situation began to stabilize somewhat in the 1990s, Ka-31 production began, albeit in limited quantities. It was not until 1995 that the Ka-31 was officially included in the inventory of the Russian Navy today. Over time, the Ka-31's various systems have been refined, making it a viable platform for the modern battlefield.

Since then, about 35 to 40 examples of this type have been built.

The Ka-31 is equipped with three standard operators, including a pilot and a co-pilot, and up to three mission specialists. The cockpit is of course located at the front of the hull and is dotted with a series of windshields to enhance the view from the cockpit. Pilot entry and exit is through a car-style hinged door on the front side of the fuselage. The crew compartment area is located directly behind the cockpit. The aircraft is powered by two Klimov (Isotov) TV3-117VMAR turboshaft engines, each delivering 1,217 horsepower to the two three-blade main rotor blades.

The engines are arranged side by side on top of the fuselage. The use of counter-rotating blades means the Ka-31 does not rely on a traditional tail rotor to counteract the inherent torque of the rotating main rotor blade system. Instead, the tail consists of a pair of large-area vertical fins, in line with Kamov helicopter offerings to date. Top speed is reported to be 166 mph and cruising speed is around 126 mph.

Range is 324 nautical miles, with service capped just under 11,500 feet. As a navy-oriented stand, the Ka-31's hull and vital components are designed to resist corrosion from operation in the salty seas.

Limited exports of Ka-31 to Indian Navy and Chinese Navy. India has at least one aircraft carrier to date, while China is testing one (former Soviet Union) and building several as of this writing. The Chinese Navy is believed to have received its first Ka-31 in November 2010.

At the time of this writing, the Ka-31 is still serving all listed users.