Kamov Ka-32 (Helix)

History of the Kamov Ka-32 (Helix)

The Ka-32 is the civilian market version of the Ka-27 (Helix) family of utility helicopters operated by Kamov in Russia (formerly the Soviet Union). This model retains key qualities of the original model, including its coaxial main rotor mounting, placing one main rotor on top of the other, eliminating naturally occurring torque and eliminating the use of tail rotor components in the design.

Like the versatile Ka-27 in service with the Russian Navy and other countries, the Ka-32 has a range of variants to meet the roles and requirements of a variety of civilian markets.

Visually, the aircraft continued many of the original Ka-27's design lines. It houses its pilots in a familiar side-by-side arrangement, with sliding doors for access to the passenger cabin, and fixed four-point wheel landing gear.

The main rotor is located on a solid fuselage, and the tail unit with two fins is located on a shortened tail shaft. The Klimov turboshaft engine drives the line, and this pairing is used to reverse drive the two three-blade main rotors.

Variants of this series include the original Ka-32A production model for civilian transport. The Ka-31A1 was developed as a complete bucket firefighting platform. The Ka-32A2 is a law enforcement model with a pair of searchlights and a speaker system.

The Ka-32A4 was developed along the lines of Search and Rescue (SAR) and Medical Evacuation (MEE). The Ka-32A7 is an armed version of the Ka-27PS production model, while the Ka-31A11BC is an export-oriented variant powered by 2 x Klimov TV3-117MA engines and features a digital glass cockpit.

Again, the Ka-32A12 is an exotic variant. Ka-32M is a proposed modernization variant with TV3-117VMA-SB3 engine and Ka-32S (? Helix-C?) for surface/seamen in SAR role, but also has a sonar unit on the nose .

The Ka-32T (also known as "Helix-C") is a utility model that can carry up to 16 passengers. The Ka-32K is a specially adapted flying crane model with a pod operator station.

The modernized Ka-32, designated Ka-32A11M, will make its debut at MAKS 2021. This version will feature a new glass cockpit, updated avionics and an upgraded Klimov VK-2500PS-02 turboshaft engine, as well as a new fire suppression system.

Specification

Base

Year of Service

1990

Origins

USSR/Russia

Status

Active.

Crew

3

Production

175

Manufacturer

Kamov Helicopter - USSR / Russia

Operators

Azerbaijan;Canada;Germany;Myanmar;Papua New Guinea;Portugal;Russia;South Korea;Soviet Union;Switzerland;Taiwan

Roles

Special Mission: MEDEVAC

Extraction of wounded combat or civilian elements through specialized shipboard equipment and available internal volume or external carrying capacity.

Special Mission: Search and Rescue (SAR)

Ability to locate and evacuate personnel from potentially hazardous or dangerous areas, such as downed pilots at sea.

Transportation

General transport function for moving supplies/cargo or people (including casualties and VIPs) out of range.

Commercial Aviation

Used in roles serving the commercial aviation market, moving passengers and cargo over long distances.

VIP Service

Used in the VIP (Very Important Person) passenger role, usually with above-average amenities and luxury as standard.

Notable Features

Vertical Takeoff/Landing (VTOL)

The

series has the tactical capability of vertical take-off and/or landing, a characteristic usually associated with helicopters.

Radar capability

Houses may house (via specialized variants) radars for searching, tracking, and attacking enemy elements.

Multi-engine

Include two or more engines to improve survivability and/or performance.

Coaxial main rotor

The twin main rotors are assembled coaxially, negating the traditional torque neutralizing tail rotor unit.

Sturdy aircraft frame

The inherent ability of the airframe to take significant damage.

Extended range performance

Ability to travel long distances using on-board fuel supplies.

Seaport

Able to operate over the ocean and survive certain harsh marine environments.

Crew management

In addition to the pilot, the aircraft also employs additional crew members who specialize in specific functions on the aircraft.

Closed crew room

There are partially or fully enclosed crew work areas.

Extended Access

The design includes features to facilitate loading/unloading of cargo/people from the aircraft.

Dimensions and Weight

Length

37. 1 ft

(11.30m)

Width/span

52. 2 feet

(15.90m)

Height

18. 0 feet

(5.50m)

Cured weight

14,573 lbs

(6,610 kg)

MTOW

24,251 lbs

(11,000 kg)

Wgt Difference

+?9,678

(+4,390 kg)

Performance

Installed:

2 x Klimov TV3-117MA turboshaft engines, 2,200 hp each, driving a 2 x 3-blade coaxial main rotor arrangement.

Maximum speed

162 km/h

(260 km/h | 140 knots)

Maximum

19,685 feet

(6,000 m | 4 km)

Area

705 km

(1,135 km | 2,102 nautical miles)

Range (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: > 19030

Armor

None. Interior space for up to 16 passengers or equivalent cargo.

VARIANTS

Ka-32 - The name of the base series. Ka-32A - the first production model. Ka-32A1 - Firefighting variant with buckets. Ka-32A2 - Law enforcement model; dual headlights and speakers installed. Ka-32A4 - Search and Rescue (SAR) / MEDEVAC variant. Ka-32A7 - Armed variant based on the Ka-27PS.

Ka-32A11M - modernized Ka-32; 2021 model Ka-32A11BC - export model for European, Chinese and Canadian airspace markets; TV3-117MA turboshaft; digital glass cockpit. Ka-32A12 - Swiss Airspace variant. Ka-32C - custom variant. Ka-32M - Proposed model with TV3-117VMA-SB3 turboshaft engine.

Ka-32-10 - Item. Ka-32S (Helix-C) - Maritime utility model; radar mounted on the nose section. Ka-32T (Helix-C) - Supply transport variant; 16 passengers. Ka-32K - modification of a flying crane for special tasks; operator pilot in the cabin section.