Multi-purpose transport and combat helicopter Ka-29: description, specifications and history

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

The Ka-29 helicopter is a multifunctional ship-based aircraft. Its main purpose is to support airborne units, as well as the destruction of ground and surface targets. Additionally, the machine is capable of transporting manpower and special cargo. Rotorcraft are placed on the BDK (up to four copies). Consider the characteristics, features of the aircraft, as well as the fact of one accident.

Short description

The Ka-29 combat helicopter is equipped with a surveillance and sighting system, on the external suspension there are four holders for cylinders responsible for firing. In the transport version, the aircraft was equipped with weapons in the form of a machine gun with a caliber of 7.62 mm. The magazine capacity was 1800 rounds. The combat analogue provides for the additional installation of several types of guns. Among them:

1. Sturm anti-tank missiles (up to eight pieces).
2. Unguided aircraft warheads of the S-80 type (up to 80 pieces).
3. 23 caliber gun mountsmm.
4. 30mm anti-aircraft guns 2A42.

It is worth noting that navigation, flight and auxiliary systems allow the use of the Ka-29 helicopter at any time of the day or night, regardless of weather conditions.

History of Creation

The leadership of the Soviet Navy in the 70s of the last century had a need to strengthen the combat potential. In this regard, it was decided to design a helicopter for general use. The design bureau headed by S. Fomin began to develop the machine. Among the representatives of the heads of the group for the creation of the Ka-29 helicopter:

1. Deputy Chief developer G. Danilochkin.
2. Assistant S. Mikheev.
3. Test E. Laryushin.

Documentally, the vehicle in question was held as project number 502. The machine was based on an anti-submarine version of the Ka-27 type. The first flight of the prototype was carried out in 1976. The serial production of the machine was received at the end of 1979. Production base - Kumertau Aviation Plant. Previously, state tests were carried out. This model is currently in service with the Russian fleet.

Modifications and modernization of the Ka-29 offshore helicopter

Among the models created on the basis of the aircraft in question, the following versions are distinguished:

1. Prototype Ka-252TB.
2. Ka-29 VPNTSU target designator.
3. Serial multi-purpose transport and combat helicopter Ka-29.
4. Modification for AWACS reconnaissance - Ka-31.

Modernization of the machines in question began actively in 2012. The process included equipping the vehicles with modern weapons and electronic protection equipment. At the end of 2016, the overhaul of six copies of the Ka-29, which arrived at the Pacific Fleet, was completed. The updated rotary-wing units received improved main rotor columns, new engines, gearboxes, modern paintwork.

The next batch of six units underwent a scheduled overhaul at the Kumertau plant in November 2017. Updated Soviet helicopters Ka-29 arrived at the naval aviation base in the Primorsky Territory (Pacific Fleet Nikolaevka). Another group of improved models was put into operation at the Donskoy airfield in the Kaliningrad region, after rehabilitation at the 150th repair plant.

Technical characteristics of the Ka-29 helicopter

Among analogues, the domestic car has a number of advantages. Basic information about the aircraft in question:

• operational commissioning - 8.08.1987;
• serial production - 1984-1991;
• crew size - 3 people;
• number of produced units - 59;
• capacity -16 paratroopers with weapons, 10 wounded soldiers (up to four patients on stretchers);
• fuselage length/width - 1225/3800 mm;
• size of main rotors - 1590 mm;
• height - 5440 mm;
• weight normal/maximum in working position - 11, 0/18, 5 t.

The engines of the model in question have a capacity of 2250 horsepower on each of the pair of motors. Engine type - TVAD TV-3 117V. The cruising speed of the helicopter is 235 km/h, with a maximum horizontal lift of 280 km/h. Maximum rate of climb - 15.5 m/s, operational overload - 2.3 G. The practical flight range of the specified aircraft is 460-740 km, while the dynamic ceiling is 3.7 km.

Armaments

Among the combat equipment of many modifications, the following types of guns are noted:

• Built-in machine gun caliber 7, 62 (9-A-622). It is placed in a moving part with an axial reserve for 1800 rounds.
• Additional equipment - a pair of UP-23-250 universal cannons, a GSh cannon with 250 rounds of ammunition.
• Four hanging points used to place guided missiles of the Cocoon, Shturm, and Attack types.
• Bomb equipment - two sets of type 3B-500.

Distribution

As of 2017, there were four units of the aircraft in question in the aviation of the Ukrainian Navy. Five vehicles were in service with the 555th Research Instructor Regiment. This combat unit belonged to the anti-submarine aviation regiment in Ochakovo. One unit purchased from Ukraine in 2011 by the Government of Equatorial Guinea.

The aircraft with tail number 14 is in service with the 72nd air squadron of the B altic Fleet, stationed at the Donskoye airfield in the Kaliningrad region. This is the first Soviet rotorcraft capable of performing a flat turn over the entire speed range. Technique quicklytakes the necessary position for the attack, while maintaining optimal accuracy when aiming. Other performance characteristics also show a high level.

Management

The accuracy of the Ka-29 helicopter is carried out by moving the control stick using automatic warps. They are interconnected by means of traction and constantly changing angles of the blades. As a result, a common vector of aerodynamic forces of a pair of propellers is provided, which deviates in the required direction by the required amount. The symmetry of aerodynamics is guaranteed by the balance of reactive effects and the absence of a rudder propeller.

The Ka-29 helicopter, whose history continues to this day, has the ability to create different torques due to pedal deflection with differential movement of the pitch of the upper and lower propellers. The mechanism helps the blade mounting angles increase on one propeller while reducing the force on the second propeller. At the same time, the total thrust does not change.

A symmetrical aircraft in the aerodynamic direction when performing combat maneuvers in a hovering or moving position does not require taking into account wind or other weather features. This ability has a positive effect on the takeoff or landing from the deck of a moving aircraft carrier.

Accidents

A Ka-29 helicopter crashed over the B altic on the night of April 12-13, 2018 at about 23.30 Moscow time. A team of two test pilots died. A search operation was carried out at the scene, the bodies of the deadwere found soon (in a day). On the night of April 13, the wind strength at the crash site did not exceed 112 m/s, the wave height was more than one meter.

Columnist for the newspaper "Komsomolskaya Pravda" (military specialist) V. Baranets said that before processing all the documents and data, it would not be possible to name the exact cause of the accident. It is possible that in a storm, the machine could land on the deck of the landing board, but an emergency occurred.

Specialists will look into why the exercises were carried out in a storm, how experienced the crew members were. It should be borne in mind that people are trained in military affairs in conditions as close as possible to combat realities. After all, in a war, the enemy will not let you calmly wait out the storm. However, something went wrong.

Last crash facts

The Ka-29 helicopter perfected the landing and takeoff on the deck of the landing ship "Ivan Gren". An informed source said that the crew of the ship was on state tests, focused on receiving a combat rotorcraft on board. During the next test, the helicopter crashed, while the ship received no damage.

The aircraft crashed at a distance of six kilometers from Cape Taran. There is evidence that the depth of the sea at the crash site was about ten meters. On the fact of the crash and death of two pilots, a criminal case was initiated under Article 315 of the Criminal Code of Russia “violation of the rules of flights and preparation for them.”

The Ivan Gren ship was built by shipbuilders from Kaliningrad in 2012. According to representatives of the Ministry of Defense, the BDK has the ability to transport about 300 paratroopers, 13 tanks or 36 armored personnel carriers. The deck provides a platform for a search and rescue helicopter or a transport analogue of the Ka-29. The armament of the floating vehicle includes automatic guns with a caliber of 30 millimeters.