1999 Kamov Ka-32A11BC C-FIGR c/n (31585) 8707/05 VIH Helicopters Photo taken Aug. 2005 Oliver Airport, BC - Canada (AU3 / CAU3) Photo Copyright Marcel Siegenthaler

2000 Kamov Ka-32A11BC C-GURI c/n (31600) 8810/10 VIH Helicopters Ltd Photo taken Aug. 2005 Oliver Airport, BC - Canada (AU3 / CAU3) Photo Copyright Marcel Siegenthaler

1999 Kamov Ka-32A11BC C-FIGR c/n (31585) 8707/05 A VIH Helicopters KA-32 in a typical firefighting mission. Dropping the "Bambi Bucket" in a lake to scoop up water for a nearby bushfire in the hills east of Oliver BC Canada. Photo taken August 11, 2005 Oliver Airport, British Columbia - Canada (AU3 / CAU3) Photo Copyright Marcel Siegenthaler

1999 Kamov Ka-32A11BC C-GKHL c/n (31594) 8801/03 VIH Helicopters Ltd Photo taken May 22, 2007 Bob Quinn Lake Airstrip, British Columbia - Canada (BW4 / CBW4) Photo Copyright Marcel Siegenthaler

The Kamov Ka-27 (NATO reporting name 'Helix') is a military helicopter developed for the Soviet Navy, and currently in service in Russia, Ukraine, Vietnam, South Korea, China and India. Variants include the Ka-29 assault transport, the Ka-28 downgraded export version, and the Ka-32 for civilian use.

Design and development

The helicopter was developed for ferrying and anti-submarine warfare. Design work began in 1970 and the first prototype flew in 1973. It was intended to replace the decade-old Kamov Ka-25, and is similar in appearance to its predecessor due to the requirements of fitting in the same hangar space. Like other Kamov military helicopters it has a co-axial rotor, removing the need for a tail rotor.

Variants

Ka-25-2 : First prototype.
Ka-27K : Anti-submarine warfare prototype.
Ka-27PL "Helix-A" : Anti-submarine warfare helicopter.
Ka-27PS "Helix-D" : Search and rescue helicopter.
Ka-27PV : Armed version of the Ka-27PS.
Ka-28 "Helix-A" : Export version of the Ka-27Pl.
Ka-29TB "Helix-B" : Assault transport helicopter, with accommodation for two pilots and 16 troops.
Ka-29RLD : Airborne early warning, surface surveillance helicopter; later redesignated Ka-31.
Ka-32A : Civil transport helicopter. Initial production version.
Ka-32A1 : Fire fighting helicopter, equipped with a Bambi bucket.
Ka-32A2 : Police version, equipped with two searchlights and a loudspeaker.
Ka-32A3 : Special search and rescue, salvage and evacuation version.
Ka-32A7 : Armed version developed from the Ka-27PS.
Ka-32A11BC : Canadian-certified version.
Ka-32A12 : Swiss-registered and approved version.
KA-32C: Little-known custom version.
Ka-32M : Projected development with 1839kW TV3-117VMA-SB3 engines. Probably replaced by the Ka-32-10 project.
Ka-32S "Helix-C" : Maritime utility transport, search and rescue helicopter, fitted with an undernose radar.
Ka-32T "Helix-C" : Utility transport helicopter, with accommodation for Two crew and 16 passengers.
Ka-32K : Flying crane helicopter, fitted with a retractable gondola for a second pilot.

Operators

Military operators:

Algeria - Algerian Air Force operates 3 Ka-32T helicopters.

China - People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force

India - Indian Navy

Russia - Russian Naval Aviation

Soviet Union - Soviet Naval Aviation

Ukraine - Ukrainian Naval Aviation

Vietnam - Vietnam People's Air Force

Serbia - Serbian Air Force

South Korea - Republic of Korea Air Force operates 7 Ka-32S'. First introduction Time : June, 2004.

Civilian operators:

Canada - Vancouver Island Helicopters operates 3 Ka-32 A11 BC helicopters.

Indonesia - Indonesia plan to buy the Ka-32 for non-military purposes (evacuation, search and rescue, cargo and firefighting) and for the Indonesian Police (Polisi Lintas Udara)

Iran - Iran plans to manufacture at least 50 Ka-32's under license in Iran.

Portugal - Ka-32 are used for non-military purposes only, mostly firefighting.

Russia - Omega Helicopters operates the Ka-32S

South Korea - Korean Forestry Service and Coast Guard operate 36 Ka-32s'

Spain - Helisureste operates Ka-32 A11 BC.

South Africa - South African AIRREP operates Ka-32.

Switzerland - Helog Heliswiss operates Ka-32 A12.Heliswiss operates Ka-32T.

Turkey - Turkish Ministry of Forestry operates 8 Ka-32 helicopters for firefighting.

United States - California State Fire department

Specifications (Ka-27)

General characteristics
Crew: 1-3, plus 2-3 specialists
Length: 11.30 m (37 ft 1 in)
Rotor diameter: 15.80 m (51 ft 10 in)
Height: 5.50 m (18 ft 1 in)
Empty weight: 6,500 kg (14,300 lb)
Loaded weight: 11,000 kg (24,200 lb)
Useful load: 4,000 kg (8,800 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 12,000 kg (26,400 lb)
Powerplant: 2× Isotov turboshaft engines, 1,660 kW (2,225 shp) each

Performance
Maximum speed: 270 km/h (145 knots, 166 mph)
Cruise speed: 205 km/h (110 knots, 126 mph)
Range: 980 km (530 nm, 605 mi)
Service ceiling: 5,000 m (16,400 ft)