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Kamov Ka-226

Ka-226
A Ka-226 of the Police of Russia
General information
TypeLight utility
National originRussia
ManufacturerKamov
StatusActive
Primary userRussian Aerospace Forces
Syrian Arab Air Force
Number built269 [1]
History
Manufactured1996 - Present
Introduction date2002
First flight4 September 1997
Developed fromKamov Ka-126

The Kamov Ka-226 (NATO reporting name: Hoodlum) is a small, twin-engine Russian utility helicopter. The Ka-226 features an interchangeable mission pod, rather than a conventional cabin, allowing the use of various accommodation or equipment configurations. The Ka-226 entered service in 2002.

Development

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A twin-turbine version of the successful reciprocating-engined Kamov Ka-26, (the Kamov Ka-126 is the single-turbine version) the Ka-226 was initially announced in 1990. Originally developed to meet the requirements of the Russian disaster relief ministry, the aircraft first flew on 4 September 1997. Certification to Russian AP-29 "A" and "B" transport categories was granted on 31 October 2003. The Ka-226 entered production at "Strela" Orenburg and later in "KumAPP" Kumertau.

In December 2014 it was reported that India is in agreement with the Russian Federation to produce Ka-226T and Mi-17 on its territory.[2] Under a 2011 contract with Russian Ministry of Defence, Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise completed production of a batch of Ka-226.80 helicopters, which was delivered to the customer on 17 April 2015. "The planned scope of the assignment of state contract signed with the Ministry of Defence in 2011 fully implemented with ahead of schedule deliveries. Prematurely delivered a large consignment of helicopters. Previously, under the state contract with the Russian Defence Ministry were also delivered several Ka-226.80 batches", - said the Managing Director of Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise (KumAPP) Viktor Novikov.[3]

In April 2015 Certification of Ka-226T light multi-role helicopter powered by Turbomeca Arrius 2G engines from France has been successfully completed in Russia. Two Ka-226T helicopters took part in the flight test programme. The version of Ka-226T powered by Turbomeca Arrius 2G engines offers much better performance compared to production Ka-226s powered by Allison 250-C20R/2 engines. It was reported earlier that deliveries of Ka-226 helicopters manufactured by Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise (Ka-226.50 and Ka-226.80 versions) and powered by Allison 250-C20R/2 engines were started in 2005. The helicopters were delivered to the Federal Security Service of Russian Federation (at least six vehicles), Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (11 vehicles), Russian Aerospace Forces (a total of 36 helicopters should be delivered) and Ukrainian Ministry of Emergency Situations (1 helicopter). Next year the enterprise was to start implementation of a contract for delivery of 18 Ka-226TG helicopters to Gazpromavia.[4] In late March 2017 Russian security structures received first 2 ship-based Ka-226Ts and the delivery of six helicopters was completed in April 2018.[5][6] In March 2018 Russia issued a supplement to the certificate for Ka-226T helicopter that allows the machine to operate at high temperatures.[7]

Following selection of the Ka-226T to meet an India requirement for 197 helicopters, an agreement was signed in December 2015 for the creation of a joint venture between Rostec, Russian Helicopters and Hindustan Aeronautics to build the helicopters at a new factory to be built at Tumakuru in India.[8] However even after 7 years had passed nothing eventually came of the plan as not only did the potential 1 billion dollar deal remained in the limbo as the Indian aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) had not been able to iron out their differences over the transfer of technology, indigenous content, and the project’s total cost. India later opted for the Indigenous HAL LUH made by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd based on the design of the extremely successful HAL Dhruv as a replacement for the tender .[9]

Design

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The design is a refinement of the proven Ka-26, featuring interchangeable mission pods. The aircraft is fitted with a new rotor system, increased visibility nose, and new passenger cabin design. The Ka-226 also features a new transmission system and is made largely from composite materials.

The aircraft is fitted with trademark Kamov coaxial rotors, of advanced composite design, making the Ka-226 highly manoeuvrable and eliminating the need for a tail rotor.

Variants

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The Kamov Ka-226 is available in the following variants; Search and Rescue, medevac, disaster relief and patrol variants have been developed for the Russian Emergency Ministry. Air ambulance, police and fire fighting variants have been developed for the Russian government.

Ka-226
Utility helicopter.
Ka-226AG
Gazprom specific variant.
Ka-226T
Instead of Rolls-Royce 250C engines, this variant is fitted with the more powerful Turbomeca Arrius 2G1. Each engine provides 670 shp, increasing the service ceiling to around 7,000 m, providing improved high altitude and high temperature operation.[10] Helicopter has new avionics with multifunctional displays, automatic control system, navigation system, radar. It can be equipped with hoist system, helicopter sling, searchlight, additional external fuel tank. For search and rescue missions helicopter can be equipped with medical module.
Ka-226TG
Gazprom specific variant based on Ka-226T model.

Operators

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Current operators

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 Russia
 Syria
 Ukraine

Cancelled

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 India

Specifications (Ka-226T)

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Data from www.kamov.ru

General characteristics

Performance

See also

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Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

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  1. ^ "Ka-226". www.deagel.com. Archived from the original on 20 May 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
  2. ^ "India will-produce Mil-17 and KA-226T". 12 December 2014. Archived from the original on 24 July 2015.
  3. ^ ""Вертолеты России" передали партию Ка-226 Минобороны РФ". Centre of Analysis of World's Arm Trade. 17 April 2015. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  4. ^ "Certification of Ka-226T helicopter powered by French engines has been successfully completed in Russia". Russian Aviation. 14 April 2015. Archived from the original on 11 July 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
  5. ^ ""Вертолеты России" впервые поставили силовым структурам РФ вертолеты Ка-226Т корабельного базирования". www.russianhelicopters.aero. Archived from the original on 3 April 2017. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
  6. ^ "ЦАМТО / Новости / "Вертолеты России" передали заказчику два корабельных Ка-226Т". www.armstrade.org. Archived from the original on 13 April 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  7. ^ "Rosaviation Certified Ka-226T for Operation Under High Temperatures". rostec.ru. Archived from the original on 3 April 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  8. ^ "Rostec to aid HAL with indigenous KA-226T production". Flightglobal.com. 30 December 2015. Archived from the original on 28 March 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  9. ^ Sharma, Ritu (31 December 2023). "Ka-226: India 'Slashes' Russian Chopper Deal; Opts For Indigenous Light Utility Helos For High-Altitude Operations". Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  10. ^ "The Ka-226 helicopter with new engines powered is under testing". Kamov Company. Archived from the original on 29 February 2008. Retrieved 4 June 2008.
  11. ^ a b c d "World Air Forces 2019". Flightglobal Insight. 2019.
  12. ^ Mladenov, Alexander (November 2015). "Federal Security Ka-226Ts". Air International. Vol. 89, no. 5. p. 35. ISSN 0306-5634.
  13. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Освобождение деревни от условных боевиков сирийскими военнослужащими при поддержке ВКС России". YouTube.
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