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2015-07-01

MULTI-ROLE KA-226T

New variant expands helicopter’s range

By Lee Yadav

The new light commercial Ka-226T helicopters, developed by Russian Helicopters, part of State Corporation Rostec, are powerful and light multi-role. This is in addition to meeting high safety standards, boasting incredibly precise hovering ability, excellent manoeuvrability and being easy to fly.

Improved performance characteristics of the Ka-226T include eco-friendly features, efficiency, modern avionics and additional flight safety solutions making this one of the best models in its class.

Ka-226T helicopters are now available on the Russian commercial aircraft market. Ka-226T received the required Interstate Aviation Committee Aviation Register certificates and can be operated commercially. Its predecessor – Ka-226 - is used by the Russian Ministry of Defence, Emergencies Ministry (EMERCOM), Interior Ministry, Federal Security Service (FSB) and other Russian state agencies.

The Ka-226T multi-role helicopter can be used for cargo and passenger transport and also for medevac missions. Receiving additional certification opens up opportunities for the delivery and operation of the basic model of this helicopter.

“Receiving the IAC’s AR approval for the new variant of the renowned Ka-226 helicopter means a significant expansion of this helicopter’s range of use in commercial aviation,” said Chairman of the IAC’s AR Vladimir Bespalov.

“The Ka-226T is a deep modification of the Ka-226. It is fitted with 580 hp FADEC-equipped Arrius 2G1 engines, a new VR-226N main gearbox and new avionics suite. These modernisations have significantly improved the helicopter’s flight capabilities and commercial appeal.” It can operate in temperatures ranging from -50°C-50°C with a relative humidity of 100 per cent , and does not need to be kept in a hangar.

New phase

“Certification of the Ka-226T is the result of the great efforts made by the aircraft designers and producers. This marks a new phase in our group’s development. We are entering a sector of the helicopter industry in which, for a long while, we had no presence.

“Today, we are offering helicopter operators two new light models. These helicopters boast a great diversity of potential uses on the commercial market, thanks to their technical characteristics”, said Russian Helicopters CEO Alexander Mikheev. “I am confident that the Ka-226T will find its niche on the light helicopter market.”

The Ka-226T was developed by Kamov design bureau and is a development in the Ka-26, Ka-126, and Ka-226 light helicopter series. These helicopters were produced by Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise. Both companies are the part of Russian Helicopters. The Ka-226T will also be produced at Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise.

The Ka-226T has a range of 500 km and maximum speed of 220 km/h. The helicopter demonstrates hovering ceiling 6,500 meters and service ceiling 7,500 meters. The power reserves are sufficient to achieve ﬂight altitude of no less than 8,000m. It has a maximum take-off weight of 4,000 tons.

The Ka-226T is intended for performing special tasks including cargo transportation (up to 1,630 kg), and passenger/service personnel transportation to hard-to-reach mountainous areas, under conditions of hot climate and over the offshore water. Ka-226T rotor system blades, transportation cabin, empennage are made from polymeric composite materials, and landing gear is quadricycle, non-retractable.

Outstanding manoeuvrability

Each replaceable module features two emergency LH and RH exits and rear exit with folding door. Enhanced glazing of cockpit canopy gives crew members an extensive ﬁeld of view, and shock-absorbing pilot seats are with safety harness system. Rotor system blades feature ice protection electrical system.

The helicopter was built to a coaxial design and boasts outstanding manoeuvrability and power to weight ratio and is equipped with the latest avionics suite. All this means that the Ka-226T is easy to manoeuvre in dense, built-up, urban environments and mountainous areas.

The lack of a tail rotor and its compact size mean that the Ka-226T can land at small sites.

This helicopter does not need to be stored in a hangar, which is another feature expanding its range of use away from base. During the certification tests, the Ka-226T confirmed that it boasts an excellent main rotor system, and outstanding altitude and manoeuvrability characteristics. It boasts a low noise level and meets all the latest environmental performance requirements.

Military version of light multi-mission helicopter Ka-226T is designed for operation in hard-to-reach highland conditions, warm climate and oversea, reconnaissance, targeting and monitoring, cargo transportation (up to 1,500 kg), transportation of 7 troopers or service personnel.

The certified model boasts French Turbomeca Arrius 2G1 FADEC engines. This is the first instance of Arrius 2G1 engines being installed on a coaxial helicopter. The Ka-226T is also equipped with new reduction gear and the latest avionics. The design solutions applied in the construction of this helicopter make it safer, reduce its environmental impact, and improve its operational efficiency.

Thanks to the new engines, the helicopter is 20 per cent more powerful, and boasts a significantly greater cruising speed. The Ka-226T is certified under transport category A, which indicates increased flight safety.

In emergencies, if an engine fails, the helicopter can continue flying and also land. Its upgraded avionics suite can perform instrument-enabled flights, in which the helicopter’s location, position, and flight parameters are determined by on-board equipment.

Flight tests

The prototype Ka-226T successfully underwent tests in India during a helicopter tender process that was later withdrawn by the Indian government last year. This helicopter performed flights in India’s hot, mountainous areas, and consistently out-performed its western-made competition. During flight tests in the Himalayas, the Ka-226T achieved an altitude of 7,200 metres.

In 2013, the Ka-226T demonstrated its versatility in Kazakhstan. It was rated highly by representatives of the Republic’s emergency situations ministry and law enforcement agencies, who tracked the helicopter’s flight performance when carrying cargo using an external sling and winch.

The Ka-226T also carried out a flight, hover, and landing at 2,500 metres to evacuate the sick and injured. One of the Ka-226T’s unique achievements in the light helicopter class is its operational ceiling of 7,500 metres. Tests on the Ka-226T amid India’s mountainous terrain and hot climate enabled it to demonstrate its considerable advantages over the competition produced by western companies.

In May 2015, India’s Defence Acquisition Council approved a major raft of deals on a non-tender basis for its armed forces, which included the Ka-226T light helicopter made by Russian Helicopters. Russian Helicopters is awaiting official communication from the Indian side regarding the deal.

The Council’s decision does not mean that a contract will be concluded immediately. Rosoboronexport, in partnership with Russian Helicopters will, on the Russian side, enact the contract for the delivery of helicopters under the “Make in India” programme, and the helicopters will be produced by Russian Helicopters’ Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise.

“The light multirole Ka-226T performed well in tests carried out in India and is the optimum choice for India’s armed forces,” said Mikheev. “The contract envisages the construction of a record number of Ka-226T helicopters, and will require considerable work and collaboration with Indian industry. It is important to note that Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise will be crucial in fulfilling this order, as it will play the main role in enacting this project.”

The Ka-226T light helicopter, designed by the Kamov Design Bureau was certified in Russia in March this year.

In detail

The Ka-226T helicopter boasts a modular design and can be delivered in a variety of modifications.

• The passenger model can comfortably set up to seven people.

• The transport model can carry one tonne within the fuselage or on an external sling and cargo platform can be installed to carry oversize goods.

• The Ka-226T has two kinds of medical uses – medevac and intensive care. Medevac helicopters are equipped with stretchers to carry the injured, oxygen cylinders, and the requisite medical equipment.

Medical versions of Ka-226T helicopter is also produced to meet the needs of medical aviation. There are fold-away seats for medical staff. The medical-resuscitation model of the Ka-226T has space for a patient and two medical staff to assist throughout the flight. Stretchers are easily loaded onto and unloaded from the helicopter through the large opening in the rear of the transport cabin. The Ka-226T’s medical equipment meets international standards and ensures the medical staff are able to work effectively during the flight.

• As a police vehicle, the Ka-226T can transport up to six people and is excellently suited to law enforcement activities such as: ensuring law and order, patrolling areas, identifying and tracking criminals, and managing the traffic police.

• The search-and-rescue version of the Ka-226 can operate in difficult climates and in a range of different environments, including mountainous areas. High hover precision makes it possible to get injured people on board safely.

• The training version can be used for flight training.

Kamov Design Bureau, the Russian Helicopters company, designs and develops unique multirole coaxial helicopters is named after the legendary aircraft designer and one of the founders of the country’s helicopter industry Nikolai Kamov (1902-1973).

Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise is a Russian Helicopters company and the largest industrial enterprise in Kumertau, manufacturing produces multirole coaxial Ka-226T, Ka-32A11BC and naval helicopters developed by Kamov Design Bureau.

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