Kamov Ka-60 (Orca) / (Killer Whale)

History of Kamov Ka-60 (Orcas)/(Orcas)

The Kamov Ka-60 family of medium transport utility helicopters is intended to replace the aging Mil Mi-8 family. The Ka-60 (Kasatka or "Orca") was designed with dual role capabilities in mind as well as survivability and adaptability, so various forms of this type were planned.

These forms include training models, reconnaissance platforms (this can branch into anti-tank and anti-helicopter forms), civilian personnel carrier models and naval versions. The Ka-60 was also offered to foreign buyers in the market, significantly expanding the range of types.

A Western model with a GE T700/CT7-2D1 series engine and five-blade main rotor is also in the works (this is a Ka-62M model).

Like most helicopters of this type, the Ka-60 has a two-seater cockpit with the pilot and co-pilot seated side by side. The pilot sat to his right and the co-pilot sat to his left. Dual controls are available in both positions.

A separate crew cabin can accommodate approximately 16 combat-ready staff, or six medical stretchers (three medics).

Visually, this Kamov design is more similar to its Western counterparts and less consistent with previous Kamov products. The nose assembly is shown as a finely developed "nose" with a sloping windshield and large base occupant windows (including window floors on either side of the nose).

Passengers enter through two large cabin doors with windows on either side of the fuselage. The engine is mounted in a contoured layout above and behind the main cabin area. The entire fuselage ends with a slightly shortened tail that accommodates the tail rotor and corresponding horizontal stabilizer.

Vertical fins protrude from the surface of the tail.

The fuselage is coated with infrared absorbing material to bypass detection, which allows at least some degree of "stealth" with a small radar signature. The structure is mainly made of composite materials, while the fan blades are made of carbon fiber-reinforced Kevlar. To increase survivability, the fuel tank is lined with polyurethane foam, so direct hits are not as deadly.

Interestingly, the Ka-60 has a fully retractable tricycle landing gear system, although the main landing gear is located at the front of the design (just behind the pilot's seating area), while the single rear landing gear is located in the tail bottom unit. The main rotor consists of four blades with swept ends and is securely mounted on and between the motor housing.

The blade is also made of composite material and is designed to withstand the impact of a 23mm grenade. The tail rotor is wrapped in a ring for increased survivability and has a full 11 blade arrangement.

In terms of internal systems, the Ka-60 is equipped with Arbalet millimeter-wave radar, Otklik laser warning and Pastel radar warning receivers. The Arbalet system is located in the nose assembly, while the other two systems form the core of the helicopter's electronic warfare suite. System redundancy can be achieved through duplicate systems on both sides of the aircraft.

It is expected that the helicopter will be able to carry a variety of light ammunition in the form of rocket pods and various suppression effect machine gun systems.

The Ka-60 was unveiled at Lyubozy in July 1997 and made its maiden flight on December 10, 1998. Production started in 2003 at the RSK MiG LAPIK plant in Luhovitsky. At the time of writing, only about 7 or 8 systems have been shipped, although 200 systems have been ordered.

The Ka-62 began flight testing in May 2016.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes