The first mass helicopter, developed at the Kamov Design Bureau, took to the skies in April 1953, but the glorious history of the legendary Ka-branded aircraft began much earlier.
Red engineer
Nikolai Ilyich Kamov, having received an excellent technical education at a commercial school (graduated with a gold medal) and at the Faculty of Mechanics of the Tomsk Technological Institute, acquired practical skills at the Junkers concession plant (Moscow) and the central airport workshops of Dobrolet. A 25-year-old young man, passionate about aviation, was noticed and invited to his experimental design bureau for the design of seaplanes, D.P. Grigorovich. It was here that Kamov became seriously interested in gyroplanes - rotorcraft. 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 led one of the design teams of TsAGI (Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute). By order of the Air Force of the young republic, under the guidance and with the direct participation of Kamov, the A-7 double gyroplane was developed. These aircraft were not only used for military reconnaissance purposes, but were also actively used in the national economy. Since 1940, Kamov headed the first helicopter engineering design bureau in the USSR, which, after several decades, was named after him.
From Chicken to Killer Whales
All rotorcraft OKB "Kamov" are distinguished by a minimum level of vibration and excellent aerobatic performance. Even at the dawn of the domestic helicopter industry, Nikolai Ilyich was critical of single-rotor and longitudinal twin-screw designs of helicopters, preferring machines with coaxial arrangement of bearing blades. Among the undeniable advantages of such a scheme, he pointed out:
- aerodynamic symmetry;
- independence of control channels;
- excellent stability on all takeoff and landing and course modes;
- the comparative simplicity and affordability of piloting training.
The Kamov helicopter builders have in fact proved to the whole world that the reliability and quality of all serial helicopter models from the first Ka-15 ("chicken" according to NATO classification) to modern Ka-62 ("Killer Whale") and Ka-226T ("Bully") not inferior to foreign counterparts. These aircraft own 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 United States aviation regulations.
It can be said without exaggeration that the Kamov company has a significant influence on the formation of global trends in the development of production of civil, specialized and military helicopters.
Helicopter Ka-226T. History of creation
According to marketers, more than 80% of the passenger-and-freight helicopter transportations within the country are made by light class cars. At the end of the last century, the deficit of flying equipment in this segment was more than 600 units. In this regard, the specialists of the Kamov company began the development of a new helicopter combining the best elements of the previous Ka-26 and Ka-126 models in its design. But, unlike them, equipped with two power units, providing the necessary level of security.
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 product modernization, the Ka-226T modification was created. In 2015, the new model was certified and launched into serial production. The main customers of the Ka-226T helicopter are law enforcement agencies and government agencies: the Ministry of Emergencies, the capital’s administration, RAO UES, and Gazprom. The State Customs Committee, the Federal Border Service and other units express serious interest.
Design Features
Technical specifications for the Ka-226T, presented by customers, should provide the ability to perform any specialized work in hard-to-reach highlands, in hot and humid climates, above the sea surface without a significant decrease in flight and economic performance.
The main difference from the basic modification is in power plants. Instead of Allison 250 gas turbine engines (Rolls-Royce), the more powerful Arrius 2G1 gas turbine engines with an electronic control system, the French company Turbomeca, are installed on the Ka-226T, which positively affected the take-off weight and carrying capacity of the helicopter. The practical ceiling was increased to 7.5 km, and the speed - up to 250 km / h. The maximum take-off weight of the machine is 3.6 tons, the payload weight is 1.45 tons. It should be noted that a project is being actively developed to replace imported power plants with Russian ones. In St. Petersburg UEC-Klimov JSC, tests are being conducted of a domestic fifth-generation turboshaft engine VK-800V. Whether he will be able to adequately compete technically and economically with the French counterpart, time will tell.
In the design of the transport cabin, tail body kit, propeller blades, the latest polymer composite materials (PCM or composites) are used. A photo of the Ka-226T multipurpose helicopter emphasizes the modern design of its exterior.
main parameters
Comparative characteristics of Russian Ka-226T and Ka-226 helicopters are shown 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 suspension, kg) | 3400 | 3800 |
| Maximum payload (kg) | 1200 | 1500 |
| Power plants | Allison M-250 | Arrius 2G1 |
| Maximum power (hp) | 2 * 450 | 2 * 580 |
| Engine specific load (kg / l.s.) | 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 flight range (km) | 520 | 520 |
| Dimensions of a suspended cabin (L * W * H / Volume, m 3) | 2.35 * 1.54 * 1.4 / 5.4 | |
| Cost (million rubles) | 175 | 245 |
The helicopter crew is 1-2 people, the number of passengers carried, with appropriate equipment, increases to 9. According to 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 sites of limited size: the fuselage and plumage do not protrude beyond the area swept by the bearing blades. The temperature range of operation of the machine lies in the range from -50 ° C to + 55 ° C (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 underwent a thorough modernization. The latest Ka-226T avionics system allows pilots in conditions of insufficient and limited visibility to determine flight parameters and the spatial position of the vehicle according to the readings of on-board instruments. The large glazing area of the cab lantern guarantees a wonderful view of the cockpit space. The pilot's seat is equipped with a comfortable seat of energy-absorbing construction (manufacturer - NPO Zvezda named after GI Severin (town of Tomilino, Moscow Region), known for its developments in the field of life support of 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 fixed landing gear of the aircraft is four-post with increased energy absorption and hydraulic braking system of the main landing gear. The rotor blades are equipped with electrothermal, and the cab windows are equipped with air-thermal de-icing systems.
Power supply of on-board consumers is provided by a constant voltage of 27 V, alternating 200 V, 115 V and 36 V (frequency 400 Hz). In all helicopter control channels, modernized combined units KAU-165M are used.
Target Modifications
The main advantage that is worth mentioning in the description of the Ka-226T helicopter is its versatility and modular design. In this regard, the product of Kamov OJSC has a very wide range of applications. One machine is capable of solving very diverse problems. Less than half an hour will be required for the conversion and preparation of the helicopter right on the take-off platform to carry out the corresponding mission. To do this, just replace one module with another.
An emergency rescue helicopter type has been developed for EMERCOM units. On board mounted winch with a lifting capacity of up to 300 kg, with electric drive. The high accuracy of the static hovering of the rotorcraft ensures the safe lifting of victims on board the helicopter. On the right side of the module is a capacious container with emergency equipment. The machine is equipped with a speaker system and can take on board up to 9 people.
The helicopter has two medical options: sanitary evacuation and resuscitation. The first, in addition to oxygen cylinders and related equipment, is capable of carrying on board two injured persons in a supine position, and reclining seats are provided for personnel. Presented on the photo, Ka-226T ("Flying Resuscitation") allows two doctors to provide the necessary assistance to one patient directly during the flight.
Patrol and law enforcement, fire and passenger modules are very demanded by state and law enforcement agencies. A platform for transporting oversized cargo is also provided.
Specifically for the needs of Gazprom, a modification of the Ka-226TG was developed for operation in the Far North. A series of Ka-226TM deck-based vehicles (with folding rotor blades and additional anti-corrosion treatment) was also launched for coast guard units of the FSB FS.
Production and Export
The production of new Kama rotorcraft was decided to be launched 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. Ka-226T flight tests in India, Iran and Kazakhstan dispelled all concerns. 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. Under the document, Russian Helicopters is committed to supplying helicopters with the letter "T" to the armed forces of our South Asian partner with proper after-sales service and technical support. And also establish joint production in India.
According to this project, the first 60 helicopters are to be assembled in Russia at the aviation enterprise in Kumertau and the Ulan-Ude aircraft factory, and the next 140 at the new production facilities of the HAL site in Tumakuru (Bangalore, India). The cost of the enterprise being built, capable of producing up to 35 products per year, is estimated at almost 40 billion rubles. The first Indian helicopters should roll off the assembly line to Tumakura in 2018.
A bit of negativity
The Russian Ka-226T helicopter, like any aircraft, has its own advantages and disadvantages. Significant disadvantages include significant profile resistance of a high rotor column, which negatively affects fuel economy and the level of vibration of the cabin at flight speeds of more than 160 km / h.
A fairly common phenomenon is the "subsidence" of the main landing gear, as the tightness of the shock absorbers leaves much to be desired. The energy supply system includes a large number of imported components, and this in the current difficult time can become a real problem in case of malfunctions. Quite a lot of claims from the operators were to the design of the main gearbox BP-226, which has an extremely low resource. Subsequently, it was replaced by a more reliable unit VR-226N.
It is hoped that the management team of Kamov will continue to respond promptly to notify operators of problems and shortcomings and make timely amendments to the production technology of the product.
