New helicopter broadly based on Ka-25 for Soviet Navy with redesigned broader chord rotor blades, strengthened transmissions and u/c, two tail fins and two 2170shp TV3-117BK turboshafts, increased fuel and 12500kg TOGW. Prot. FF 24 Dec. 1973.

• Ka-27PL Helix-A - Ka-27 for anti-submarine missions with extended cockpit with additional windows, enlarged belly weapons bay for four torpedoes and upgraded electronics suite.

• Ka-28 Helix-A - Ka-27PL for export customers with 2170shp TV3-117BK turboshafts.

• Ka-29 Helix-B - naval assault transport variant of Ka-27 with wider cockpit section, 16-troop cabin, modified chin radar, external weapons pylons with four hardpoints.

• Ka-27PS Helix-D - ASR version of Ka-27 without weapons bay, rescue winch, external fuel tanks, searchlight and other rescue equipment.

• Ka-31 - Radar post version of Ka-29 with extending belly-mounted radar antenna.

R.Simpson "Airlife's Helicopter and Rotorcraft", 1998

NATO reporting names: Helix-A and D

TYPE: Twin-turbine multipurpose naval helicopter.

PROGRAMME: Design started 1969 to overcome inability of Ka-25 to operate dipping sonar at night and in adverse weather; first flight of prototype 1973; first open reference in US Department of Defense's 1981 Soviet Military Power document, which stated that 'Hormone variant' helicopters could be carried in telescoping hangar on 'Sovremenny' class of guided missile destroyers, for ASW missions; photographs of two on stern platform of Udaloy, first of new class of ASW guided missile destroyers, taken by Western pilots during Baltic exercises, September 1981; at least 16 observed on former 'Kiev' class carrier/cruiser Novorossiysk 1983, as stage in continuous replacement of Ka-25s with Ka-27s. Manufactured by KUMAPE.

CURRENT VERSIONS

Ka-27PL ('Helix-A'): Basic ASW helicopter with three crew; operational since 1982; normally operated in pairs, one tracking hostile submarine, other dropping depth charges.

Ka-27PS ('Helix-D'): Search and rescue and plane guard helicopter; as Ka-27PL, but some operational equipment deleted; external fuel tank each side of cabin, as civil Ka-32; winch beside port cabin door. Air-droppable dinghy packs in ventral stores bay; racks for marker floats.

Ka-28 ('Helix-A'): Export version of Ka-27PL, with 1,618kW TV3-117BK turboshafts and 3,680kg of fuel in 12 tanks. Ka-32 type broad cockpit door and bulged windows.

Ka-29 ('Helix-B'): Described separately.

Ka-32 (civil 'Helix-C'): Described separately; general description applies also to Ka-27 and Ka-28.

DESIGN FEATURES: Basic configuration very like Ka-25, but longer and more capacious fuselage pod, no central tailfin and different undernose radome; similar overall dimensions with rotors folded enable Ka-27 to stow in shipboard hangars and use deck lifts built for Ka-25.

ACCOMMODATION: Crew of three: pilot; tactical coordinator; ASW systems operator.

AVIONICS: Basically as for Ka-32.
Comms: IFF (NATO 'Odd Rods').
Radar: Undernose 360° search radar; directional ESM radomes above rear of engine bay fairing and at tailcone tip.
Flight: Doppler box under tailboom.
Mission: Dipping sonar behind clamshell doors at rear of fuselage pod; sonobuoys stowed internally. MAD.
Self-defence: Optional equipment includes RWR on nose and above tailplane; IR jammer (NATO 'Hot Brick') at rear of engine bay fairing; station-keeping light between ESM radome and jammer; chaff/flare dispensers; colour-coded identification flares.

ARMAMENT: Ventral weapons bay for two torpedoes, four depth charges, other stores.

Jane's Helicopter Markets and Systems

- Russian navy Ka-27PLs carry Kh-35 anti-ship missiles, the heaviest to be carried by any naval helicopter.

- Kamov is the world's only firm to have ever mass-produced co-axial helicopters.

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