Ship helicopter Ka-27: description, specifications, scheme and history

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

From time immemorial, man has striven to the sky, so it is not surprising that over the years he succeeded. Today, aviation is not only passenger and cargo transportation, but also the defense of the air borders of the state. This article will discuss such an aircraft as the Ka-27 helicopter. We will talk about how this machine was created and what are its characteristics.

Historical background

In the spring of 1970, after reviewing the Ocean flights, the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy held a meeting with the Chief Designer of the Kamov Research Institute and with the Deputy Commander of the Fleet Aviation, Lieutenant General Naumov. As a result of the conversation, a decision was made to open a new project. The final decision to start the development of a special anti-submarine helicopter Ka-252, designed for sea vessels project 1143, was adopted at a meeting of the Council of Ministers of the USSR in April 1972. The meeting of the State Aircraft Commission was held next summer.

Begin production

The Ka-27 helicopter is essentially an improved version of the Ka-25. Serial creation of a new machine took place at a plant in the city of Kumertau. However, this was preceded by the flight of a prototype,which first took off into the air on August 8, 1973. In December of the same year, the car made its first flight in a circular trajectory.

The scheme of the Ka-27 helicopter is quite standard for the Kamov Design Bureau and is a twin-screw coaxial. It is worth noting that this combat aircraft was approximately three to five times the capabilities of its predecessor, the Ka-25. In particular, parameters such as flight duration and length increased by almost 40%. Also, the installation of more powerful and reliable engines led to an increase in the specific thrust-to-weight ratio by 1.7 times.

Service

The Ka-27 helicopter was put into service in April 1981. Prior to that, in 1978, five vehicles were delivered to the Minsk missile cruiser. In 1979, a special helicopter regiment was formed at the Severomorsk-2 airfield, consisting exclusively of Ka-27s.

Today, the Ka-27 serves on the cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, as well as on other destroyers and anti-submarine ships. In addition, the car was sold to China, India, Syria, the former Yugoslavia.

Main purpose

The Ka-27 helicopter is used to detect, track and neutralize enemy submarines that follow at a depth of up to 500 m at a speed of no more than 75 km / h and are removed from the lead ship up to two hundred kilometers. At the same time, sea waves of 5 points are allowed. Weather conditions can be both normal and difficult. Time of day doesn't matter.

Also, the helicopter is capable of performing the assignedtasks before him both independently and as part of a group.

Constructive elements

The Ka-27 combat helicopter is equipped with three-bladed counter-rotating propellers that fold in while the ship is parked. The blades of these propellers are made of fiberglass, and their bushings are made of titanium.

The fuselage of the machine is made of solid aluminum alloy. For stable provision of both longitudinal and directional stability of the helicopter, a tail unit with two keels is used. The washer of each keel has an uncontrolled slat and is turned with its toe towards the axis of the fuselage itself.

The landing gear has four non-retractable legs and is equipped with a hydraulic system for slightly lifting the helicopter in order to provide easy access to the cargo hold. A characteristic feature of the front wheels is self-orientation. It is also possible to install skis.

Power section of the aircraft

The helicopter is driven by two turboshaft engines TV 3, the total takeoff power of which is 2x2200 horsepower, and a VR-252 gearbox. The rotors have a stabilized speed during flight.

The main sources of electric power are two three-phase alternating current generators with a frequency of 400 Hz, which are driven by a BP-252 gearbox. The generators operate in parallel mode, but only the left one is directly connected to the network, while the right one is in reserve. The direct current on the helicopter is obtained by converting from alternating current usingtwo semiconductor rectifiers VU-B.

Emergency power is provided by two nickel-cadmium batteries and two current converters.

During an emergency landing on the water surface, inflatable ballonets are activated, which during normal flight are laid in a collapsed position in the side containers of the helicopter located on the fuselage. It is important to note that ballonets do not guarantee the required buoyancy of the car with the engines turned off.

Also, the Russian Ka-27 helicopter is equipped with an autopilot system and a semi-automatic system for transmitting coordinates and other information about the detected submarine.

The crew consists of three people: a pilot, a navigator-coordinator and an anti-submarine system operator.

Octopus

This is the name of the special airborne complex, which includes:

• A radar station that solves navigation problems and searches for submarines that have surfaced. The system fairing is located on the nose of the fuselage.
• Lowering hydroacoustic station. It is located in the rear section of the fuselage and determines the coordinates of submarines.
• Calculation and aiming device. Provides automatic withdrawal of the helicopter to the point for the subsequent release of damaging weapons.
• Sonar type buoy.
• Magnetic detector.

In addition, the Ka-27 anti-submarine helicopter is capable of dropping markers, smoke generators, transponder beacons.

Surface targetsthis combat aircraft during flight at an altitude of up to 500 m detects:

• If EPR up to 250 m - at least 25 km.
• If the RCS is 2 m - at least 5 km.

A distinctive feature of the "Octopus" system is the presence of a special digital information and computing subsystem, as well as the highest degree of automation of the boat detection process itself. The speed of the system deserves special attention: in one hour of its operation, it is able to conduct a detailed survey of the water surface, the area of \u200b\u200bwhich does not exceed 2000 square kilometers.

Weapons equipment

In order to destroy submarines, the ship's Ka-27 helicopter in a special compartment stores torpedoes of the anti-submarine class AT-1MV, as well as aerial bombs, the caliber of which ranges from 50 to 250 kilograms. In addition, if necessary, guided missiles can be installed on the aircraft to neutralize submarines of the APR-2E type.

Technical parameters

The Ka-27 carrier-based helicopter has the following technical characteristics:

• The number of people in the crew is 3.
• Normal takeoff weight - 11,000 kg.
• The maximum flight speed is 270 km/h.
• Cruising speed - 230 km/h.
• Dynamic flight ceiling - 2950 m.
• Real flight range - 800 km.
• The main rotor has a diameter of 15.9 m.
• Machine length - 11.3 m.
• When folded, the vessel has a height of 5.4 m.
• Capacity rating - 5000 kg.
• The weight of the fuel in the tanks is 12,000 kg.

Modifications

The Ka-27 PSD helicopter is designed to perform search and rescue operations. It has an increased maximum takeoff weight of 12,000 kg. The chassis suspension has also been strengthened, and auxiliary fuel tanks have been mounted, thanks to which the helicopter's total fuel capacity is 4830 liters.

There is also a Ka-27E model. This helicopter was located on the sea supply vessel "Absheron" and served to inspect the ships for the presence of various hazardous radioactive materials and elements on board.

Ka-27PL is a ship-based anti-submarine version of the helicopter, and Ka-28 is an export aircraft model. This modification of the helicopter is painted as follows: white paint is applied to the side, and red stripes are applied to the fuselage and belly.

The aircraft is equipped with powerful means of rescue, lighting and rescue. If necessary, a seat or belt for astronauts is attached to the lifting winch. In addition, inflatable belts, two boats, rafts are also available on board.

It is also very convenient that the search and rescue model of the helicopter may well be converted by operating personnel into a training version. To do this, in place of the navigator, a control handle is mounted in the longitudinal-transverse direction, pedals, and a step lever.

In the case of using a helicopter as an ambulance, you can install a stretcher in the amount of 4 pieces, a pair of folding stools, a table for a medical worker, oxygenappliances.

The Ka-27PS helicopter is the most popular model, as it is mostly used as a transport aircraft at offshore facilities and naval bases. Initially, it is a rescue vehicle that searches for and assists the crews of ships in distress, and also searches for landing aircraft. The crew of this helicopter consists of four people, among whom there was a place for a rescue paramedic, who, in turn, has a special diving and medical training. He must also be able to winch down from a height of fifty meters.

As for the price of the aircraft, the exact cost of the Ka-27 helicopter has not been disclosed by the Russian Defense Ministry.