Pulsar
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Ka-226T : Russia’s unique modular helicopter
This amazing helicopter is the ultimate example for ‘thinking outside the box’. The designers at Kamov made sure that they built a helicopter which looked weird and clumsy but performed exactly the opposite.
The Ka-226T is a light, twin-engine multi-role helicopter offered by Russian Helicopters, for military and civilian missions. The military version of Ka-226T is designed for operation in hard-to-reach upland conditions as well as hot and cold climates.
Kamov is known for their trademark co-axial rotor helicopters and almost every helicopter they make follows the same layout of rotors. This arrangement consists of 2 main rotors rotating in opposite directions, driven by a single shaft. The advantages offered by such a design are
Approval of the acquisition of Ka-226T was given by the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) in May 2015 to replace the ageing Chetak (Aerospatiale Alouette III) and Cheetah (Aerospatiale SA-315B) helicopters of the Army Aviation Corps (AAC) and the Indian Air Force (IAF), respectively. A joint venture between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russian Helicopters is expected to licence-build 200 Ka-226T helicopters for the IAF and the AAC.
An upgraded design of the proven Ka-26 helicopter, the Ka-226T is fitted with a high-visibility nose, a new cabin design and a new rotor system. Its fuselage integrates a four-leg non-retractable landing gear.
The helicopter also features a new transmission system and Kamov coaxial rotor system, including three upper rotor blades and a set of three lower rotor blades. The new rotor system avoids the need for a tail rotor, which ensures landings and take-offs from small sites.
The rotorcraft integrates a new avionics suite with multifunctional displays (MFDs), automatic control system, navigation system and radar. It can be fitted with hoist system, cargo hook, searchlight and additional external fuel tank. It can also be configured with a medical module for search and rescue missions. The module can be quickly installed or removed by just two people.
Cabin and cargo capacities
The cabin measures 2.35m-long, 1.34m-wide and 1.4m-high. It offers a volume of 5.4m3 and is fitted with mooring equipment for securing cargo and folding seats for accommodating troops.
A total of 1,200kg of cargo can be transported by the helicopter inside the cabin and it can carry 1,500kg load on external sling. The maximum take-off weight with under-slung load is 3,800kg.
Configurations
It features an interchangeable mission pod, rather than a conventional cabin.
Ambulance Variant
VIP Configuration
Engines and performance
Power for the Ka-226T comes from two Rolls Royce Alisson 250 GTE engines or the more powerful Turbomeca Arrius 2G1. Each engine develops a take-off power of 705hp and contingency power of 580hp. The rotorcraft is equipped with engine fire protection system and fire warning system.
The helicopter can fly at a maximum speed of 220km/h and cruise speed of 200km/h. It has a maximum flight range of 600km with main fuel tanks. The operational and hover (OGE) ceilings of the helicopter are 5,000m and 4,100m respectively and the maximum rate of climb is 10m/s.
This amazing helicopter is the ultimate example for ‘thinking outside the box’. The designers at Kamov made sure that they built a helicopter which looked weird and clumsy but performed exactly the opposite.
The Ka-226T is a light, twin-engine multi-role helicopter offered by Russian Helicopters, for military and civilian missions. The military version of Ka-226T is designed for operation in hard-to-reach upland conditions as well as hot and cold climates.
Kamov is known for their trademark co-axial rotor helicopters and almost every helicopter they make follows the same layout of rotors. This arrangement consists of 2 main rotors rotating in opposite directions, driven by a single shaft. The advantages offered by such a design are
- The tail rotor is eliminated and hence complex mechanisms and wiring for it are eliminated.
- The tail can be made shorter as there is no rotor.
- Absence of tail rotor results in significant savings of power because a tail rotor is useful only to stabilize a helicopter which is automatically done by co-axial rotors
- Presence of 2 rotors on the same axis provides greater lift than a single rotor and enables increased payload for the same engine power
- Helicopters using coaxial rotors are generally more compact with a slight increase in overall height. And their compact nature facilitates easy storage especially on ships.
- Co-axial rotors impart exceptional stability while hovering which is very vital during troop insertions and cargo delivery.
Approval of the acquisition of Ka-226T was given by the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) in May 2015 to replace the ageing Chetak (Aerospatiale Alouette III) and Cheetah (Aerospatiale SA-315B) helicopters of the Army Aviation Corps (AAC) and the Indian Air Force (IAF), respectively. A joint venture between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russian Helicopters is expected to licence-build 200 Ka-226T helicopters for the IAF and the AAC.
An upgraded design of the proven Ka-26 helicopter, the Ka-226T is fitted with a high-visibility nose, a new cabin design and a new rotor system. Its fuselage integrates a four-leg non-retractable landing gear.
The helicopter also features a new transmission system and Kamov coaxial rotor system, including three upper rotor blades and a set of three lower rotor blades. The new rotor system avoids the need for a tail rotor, which ensures landings and take-offs from small sites.
The rotorcraft integrates a new avionics suite with multifunctional displays (MFDs), automatic control system, navigation system and radar. It can be fitted with hoist system, cargo hook, searchlight and additional external fuel tank. It can also be configured with a medical module for search and rescue missions. The module can be quickly installed or removed by just two people.
Cabin and cargo capacities
The cabin measures 2.35m-long, 1.34m-wide and 1.4m-high. It offers a volume of 5.4m3 and is fitted with mooring equipment for securing cargo and folding seats for accommodating troops.
A total of 1,200kg of cargo can be transported by the helicopter inside the cabin and it can carry 1,500kg load on external sling. The maximum take-off weight with under-slung load is 3,800kg.
Configurations
It features an interchangeable mission pod, rather than a conventional cabin.
Ambulance Variant
VIP Configuration
Engines and performance
Power for the Ka-226T comes from two Rolls Royce Alisson 250 GTE engines or the more powerful Turbomeca Arrius 2G1. Each engine develops a take-off power of 705hp and contingency power of 580hp. The rotorcraft is equipped with engine fire protection system and fire warning system.
The helicopter can fly at a maximum speed of 220km/h and cruise speed of 200km/h. It has a maximum flight range of 600km with main fuel tanks. The operational and hover (OGE) ceilings of the helicopter are 5,000m and 4,100m respectively and the maximum rate of climb is 10m/s.
