As it upgrades and expands land forces aviation, Russia also is investing in naval aviation, including plans to modernize the flagship Ka-27 naval helicopter and to start the design of new models.
The Ka-27 was designed in the 1960s and has become significantly outdated.
The Ka-27 is mostly intended for landing on destroyers and corvettes and development of heavier naval rotorcraft has become an acute necessity for the Russian navy, which plans to build at least two helicopter carriers.
Two years ago the Russian Defense Ministry officially announced the design of a new helicopter for naval aviation known as Minoga. There have since been no updates on the current status of the project. According to some Russian military experts, there is a high possibility implementation of the project was suspended for an indefinite period of time.
The first helicopter carrier should be delivered to the Russian Navy fleet in 2024, so suspension of the project would increase the need for medium-heavy helicopters in the near term. Even a modernized Ka-27 and Ka-29 and the combat Ka-52K will not meet all the needs of the ship’s air group in Russia.
In the meantime, in addition to purchases of existing models, the Russian Defence Ministry is placing orders for the design of completely new combat helicopters in years to come.
According to recent statements of top management of Russian Helicopters Corporation, there is a possibility of “massive production” of a new high-speed combat helicopter starting next year.
The new model is based on Mi-24 attack helicopter and will be able to reach speeds of more than 400 km per hour.
“Future prospects for high-speed attack helicopters are very good,” said Colonel-General Nikolai Antoshkin, a former deputy commander of the Russian Air Force. “High speed is a very big advantage for a helicopter, especially at the front, which allows it to quickly move over the battlefield, after the completion of the mission. In addition, these helicopters are less vulnerable for small arms and the majority of other weapons.”
Russian Helicopters did not specify who will become the lead developer for the project, noting that several design bureaus and holdings of the corporation will be involved.
The new helicopter will be specifically designed for special combat missions and will have its own unique niche, not competing with any other types of helicopters in Russia.
According the Russian Voisko military newspaper, the new helicopter will be ideally suited to attacks into an enemy’s rear, supporting sabotage groups and reconnaissance battalions beyond the front lines.
The new helicopter will be equipped with a rotor system unique to Russian Helicopters expected to be patented by the company soon.
The new system significantly reduces the possibility of airflow breakdown and increases the speed of the helicopter, while maintaining its classic layout.
The majority of existing helicopters are designed for the maximum speed of about 350 km/h. The new helicopter will be designed for speed–almost twice the speed of the existing Mi-8/Mi-17 multipurpose helicopters.
It will be equipped with a 3,000 sh/p VC-2500M engine. The engine was developed from the Klimov VK-2500 turboshaft engine, which is currently used in the Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters, as the replacement of the banned Ukrainian engines.
The Russian army is putting big hopes on the new helicopter, despite the fact that its fuel consumption will be probably the highest compared to similar helicopters.
Leading Russian military analysts believe the role of helicopters in modern wars is constantly growing, which is especially obvious in the case of local conflicts and anti-terrorist operations.
This story originally appeared in sister publication Rotor & Wing International.