Ka-62 - we are waiting for an imported version

This Russian multi-purpose helicopter, developed on the basis of the military Ka-60, is "famous" in its own way, only with a "minus" sign. The concept of the car was developed already in the 80s of the last century, the layout was made in the 90s, and today they cannot be fully certified. Where else have you seen a helicopter with more than thirty years of history?

History in brief

In the 90s, the abandoned concept was remembered and they began to develop a new transport and passenger vehicle using the predecessor's glider, the Ka-60. Interestingly, the project began to be implemented "in order to attract investment." In 1991, the layout was ready and demonstrated to the general public at the air show held at VDNKh.


The unspoiled Russian visitors were attracted by the device with shock-absorbing seats, updated electronic equipment, and LCD monitors on the dashboard. In subsequent years, the layout began to be shown at almost every international exhibition, promoting the car commercially. At the same time, agreements were concluded with foreign technical companies for the organization of joint ventures. Among the alleged partners are the British Rolls-Royce and the Italian Agusta.

What is interesting in the design

The machine is made according to the scheme with one main and tail rotor. During the construction of the Ka-62, at least 50% of composite materials were used. The fuselage has a metal frame, sheathed with carbon and fiberglass panels. In total, the helicopter is conditionally divided into three sections: the cockpit in front, the middle cargo-passenger sector, and the tail boom. Crew size - one or two people. Like this? For the first time in Russian practice, the pilot's seat is located on the right. If another pilot is needed, additional seating will be added.


The cargo-passenger compartment is relatively small: the length is 3,3 m. A pair of sliding doors is provided. The landing gear consists of three pillars that retract inward during flight. It is not excluded the installation of balloonets that keep the machine afloat during an emergency landing on the water.


The main propeller has four all-composite blades, the steerer propeller is equipped with axial hinges, has a diameter of 1,4 m. The latter feature is enclosed in a special casing. This technical solution is called "finestron". Such a scheme is safe for nearby people and protects the screw from damage.

Power point

Initially, it was assumed that the same engine would be installed on the helicopter as on the Ka-60, i.e. RD-600V. It was designed at the Rybinsk Motors enterprise back in 1988. This is an economical turboshaft type unit. It features an inertial dust protection system, efficient cooling and other advantages. The engine developed 1300 "horses" and was good for everyone. But still it was not installed for a variety of reasons. One of them is the impossibility (then) of large-scale production in the required quantity. And time passed: the helicopter was already “lit up” in the form of a mock-up, now it was necessary to show the real version.


Therefore, the car went on a presentation flight with French Turbomeca Ardiden 3G engines, developing up to 1940 "horses" in an extremely mode. And here, since 2010, a chain of “modifications” has gone: I had to buy a gearbox and transmission from the Austrians - Zoerkler. This decision meant reworking not only the engine compartment, but also the chassis. True, the exterior remained the same.


Technical characteristics of the Ka-62 with French engines:

✅ length, width, height - 1,347, 1,9, 4,565 m
✅ takeoff weight - 6,8 tons
✅ load capacity for the cabin (on an external sling) - 2 t (2,5 t)
✅ cruising (highest) speed - 290 km / h (310 km / h)
✅ height - up to 6,1 km
✅ range - up to 1135 km (with additional tanks)

The car can accommodate up to 15 passengers.


The operating temperature range is from -50° to +50° (at the same time, special heating is not required up to -35°). The helicopter can stay in the air for no more than four hours.

What's next?

After successfully passing the test flights, the helicopter received a certificate, but of a limited category. The car was launched into a series, but so far they will only be sold to Russian customers. In November 2022, the head of the Federal Air Transport Agency A. Neradko announced the reason for the non-issuance of an extended permit document. This is the presence of more than 60% of imported components in the design of the helicopter, which includes a power plant, avionics, blades, etc. Russian Helicopters believes that it makes no sense to carry out further certification with such a “set”.

is it so bad?

Alteration of the helicopter with the installation of Russian units and components on it is in full swing. It is planned that in 2025 an import-substituted version of the Ka-62 will appear, which will have already undergone full certification. What will be on board from the Russian? First of all, this is the VK-1600V engine. It develops power up to 1450 "horses".


To minimize the number of alterations, the new engine is made to fit the geometric dimensions of the engine nacelle, which now houses the French engine. The demonstration VK-1600V has already been shown at the MAKS-2021 exhibition. Earlier, in 2020, the design of the VK-1600V was presented to the mock-up commission. The motor was designed using 3D modeling technology, which made it possible to speed up the progress of work. An “accompanying” feature of the VK-1600V is the way parts are made for it: some of them will be produced using 3D printing.


Certification of the VK-1600V is scheduled for 2023, production on the conveyor - for 2024. The “kit” with the motor comes with a BARK-15 digital control system, which was also developed by the Klimovites.


As for the avionics, the KRET enterprise, the Concern for Radioelectronic Technologies, founded in 2009, is engaged in its manufacture. The helicopter received the so-called. "glass cockpit" with an instrument panel, where the main place is occupied by 4 LCD multifunction indicators. Their “brains” are a six-core processor 1888TX018, made at the STC “Module”. The role of the on-board computer is played by the Baguette-53-XX system. It uses a pair of Russian processors of the 1890VM8Ya type, better known by the name Komdiv 64-M.

Prospects

Certification according to European EASA standards is scheduled for the helicopters with French engines already produced by the Arsenyev enterprise Progress. But whether it will take place, taking into account the current political situation, is a big question. The first customer may be the carrier KrasAvia, which has its branches in the Far East and Siberia. This is confirmed by the agreement of intent signed at the HeliRussia-2021 exhibition. The aircraft plant in Arsenyevsk is supported by Rostec's partner financial institution, Novokombank. The total amount is up to 10 billion rubles.


Aviation experts believe that the market demand for Ka-62 aircraft for the next decade will be approximately 260 pieces of equipment. It is assumed that the Ka-62 will also be of interest to foreign customers, as a helicopter located in an intermediate niche between the Mi-8 (now Mi-17, Mi-171) and Ka-226.