Russian Civil Helicopters: News

Russian Helicopters expects certification of Ka-62 this year - holding

https://tass.com/defense/1363571

First flight of Mi-171-A3

Ka-62: From military to civil
https://rt.vk34.ru/blog/post/news/ka-62-iz-voennyh-v-grazhdanskie?fbclid=IwAR3-KLHo7L3ycFvHiskOpWnDgIi3HBlV-XNOPeQzQ25qxdIiB4Gy2vogCM0

GarryB wrote:Looks a bit like an American helicopter to be honest... one of those Sea Stallions... or perhaps a Puma...

Or a Sea King

07.10.2022
Rostec

The upgraded Ka-32A11BC made its first flight with VK-2500PS-02 engines



Ka-32A11BC.
Image source: rostec.ru



The Russian Helicopters holding company of the Rostec State Corporation has begun the next stage of testing the modernized Ka-32A11BC helicopter, capable of extinguishing fires at low temperatures. The rotorcraft performed its first flight with VK-2500PS-02 engines, its duration was 37 minutes. During the tests, the stable operation of all systems was confirmed, stability and high controllability were demonstrated.

The VK-2500PS-02 engines, which power the modernized Ka-32A11BC, were developed and manufactured by UEC-Klimov, which is part of the Rostec United Engine Corporation. The use of new power plants made it possible to improve the flight performance of the rotorcraft, expanded the possibilities for operating the helicopter, including when working with an external sling.

“The first successful flight of the Ka-32A11BC with turboshaft engines is a milestone event. Over the years of operation, the helicopter has established itself as an efficient and reliable machine. The VK-2500PS-02 engines increase the stability and safety of helicopter control in strong crosswinds, including in high altitude conditions. This will expand the geography of the use of the machine in extinguishing forest fires and conducting emergency rescue operations. We plan to complete all certification tests in the third quarter of 2023,” said Anatoly Serdyukov, industrial director of the Rostec aviation cluster.

The upgraded Ka-32A11BC is the world's first helicopter capable of putting out fires at sub-zero temperatures. This opportunity was provided by a unique domestic suspended fire extinguishing system SP-32 with a water heating function. Its capacity is up to 4000 liters with the possibility of using 400 liters of foam agent. Thanks to a more powerful water intake system, the tank is automatically filled in just 60 seconds - 25% faster than in the previous version of the helicopter. Among the options that provide fire fighting are the VSU-5 suspended spillway devices and a water gun for horizontal fire extinguishing.

In addition, the helicopter is equipped with modern emergency equipment, as well as a "glass cockpit" - a digital flight and navigation system with display indication. The Ka-32A11BC is capable of extinguishing fires in conditions of heavy smoke, on the last floors of high-rise buildings and oil and gas industry facilities.

“The modernization program provides for the revision of previously released helicopters of the Ka-32 family. In total, more than 260 Ka-32 helicopters in various modifications have been produced at the Kumertau enterprise of the holding. At the same time, the Ka-32A11BC is recognized as one of the most effective firefighting helicopters in the world. The twin-rotor design of this line of rotorcraft provides their unique maneuverability in vertical and horizontal planes, increases stability, as well as piloting comfort. This is especially important when performing emergency rescue operations and extinguishing fires in difficult ground conditions or in dense urban areas, including near high-rise buildings, when the flight and stable hovering of the helicopter are hampered by wind vortex flows,” emphasized the first deputy general director of the holding “ Russian Helicopters” Oleg Gulyaev.

The updated Ka-32A11BC is adapted for the use of night vision goggles. The capabilities of the helicopter can be expanded by installing additional surveillance, navigation and other target equipment integrated into the airborne flight and navigation system.


https://vpk.name/news/638613_modernizirovannyi_ka-32a11vs_sovershil_pervyi_polet_s_dvigatelyami_vk-2500ps-02.html

This news report seems kind of optimistic to me. Klimov being Klimov. But it is what it is.

Import substitution for Ansat helicopters is planned to be completed in 2023
21.10.2022

The Kazan Helicopter Plant intends to complete the import substitution program for Ansat helicopters next year. This was announced on October 20 during the annual appeal to the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan informed head of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov.

Minnikhanov noted the importance of maintaining the pace of production for all models by the enterprise. Annually Kazan Helicopter Plant produces at least 100 helicopters.

At the beginning of August 2022, during a meeting of the coordinating council of machine-building enterprises of the Republic of Tatarstan, dedicated to import substitution in the aircraft industry, Alexey Garipov, Deputy Managing Director - Chief Designer of OKB KVZ declared that the design bureau is working to present the Ansat helicopter in a fully domestic configuration as soon as possible.

According to him, the vehicle is being reassembled without components from Ukraine, the USA and Europe. “In fact, we are rebuilding the vehicle again. But we were seriously preparing, we had certain groundwork, and there is every chance of meeting the deadlines, and in 2024 we will return the vehicle to the market,” he said.

Of the 14 positions of key components, ten of them have either completed the process of import substitution or are at the final stage. For example, German foam plastic and blades will be replaced by VIAM, Ukrainian hydraulic pumps by OKB AKS JSC, and products from the USA and France were also used to assemble Ansat.

Ansat is equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW-207K engines, and UEC-Klimov is developing a VK-650V turboshaft engine to replace them. Its mass production should begin in 2024.

https://aviation21.ru/importozameshhenie-po-vertolyotam-ansat-planiruetsya-zavershit-v-2023-godu/

GarryB wrote:Important news for light and medium sized helicopters in Russia.

Not only, the turboprop version of this  engine can be used also in the modernised version of the An-2, SibNIA TVS-2DTS (derated to 1200 hp (from normal take off Power of 1400hp) or in a fast single engine turboprop aircraft for corporate transportation or for régional Airlines like the Pilatus PC-12 or the Beechcraft Denali.

Both aircraft have their own niche as the PC-12 and the Denali have a much higher cruising Speed than the An-2 and of its modernised version.

I look forward to such aircraft as well.
I did not see any plan yet, but since the engine is available I believe it will be important (and it covers different customers than those for the An-12 or for the Baikal).


Edit: corrected normal takeoff power of the engine
(Note normal max takeoff 1400hp. Emergency 5 minutes power 1750hp).

Don´t forget drones.

March 4
Two Mi-38 helicopters will fly to Magadan from Kazan
Modern vehicles have proven themselves to be reliable equipment for transport communications in the North
Source: Two Mi-38 helicopters previously reserved for Kolyma will fly to Magadan from Kazan

A four-day flight of two Mi-38s to Magadan begins. This was reported by Kolyma Aviation. The flight itself in winter conditions is a kind of testing of aircraft before the start of operation on intraregional routes of the Magadan region.

The flight along the Kazan-Magadan route, 6.5 thousand kilometers long, will take 35 hours of flight time, pass through 11 cities and take 4 days. Weather and other unforeseen circumstances may make adjustments to the schedule.

Modern helicopters with 30 seats are planned to be used on the Yamsk-Takhtoyamsk route and carried out in one flight, now this is a separate flight to each locality. The possibility of introducing a new route Magadan-Susuman-Yagodnoye-Seymchan-Magadan is also being considered.

Earlier in February, Russian President Vladimir Putin assessed the quality of Mi-38 helicopters, which are produced in Tatarstan. “The Mi-38 is a good vehicle”, the head of state emphasized.

"OGUP Kolyma Aviation is the first airline that has received and will operate two helicopters of this type at once and will be the leading operator of Mi-38 helicopters in modification 38-4. Never before have they flown at such a distance, so far from the Kazan Helicopter Plant and "Moscow Helicopter Plant named after M. L. Mil. Our flight will pass through most of the territory of Mother Russia, along the route Kazan - Magadan, which is 6,500 kilometers, 35 hours of flight time, 11 cities, 3 overnights," the airline said.

Regional air routes in the Magadan region provide transport accessibility to populated areas - Susuman, Seymchan, Omsukchan, Yagodnoye, Ust-Omchug, Sinegorye, and hard-to-reach areas not connected by highways Yamsk, Takhtoyamsk, Evensk, Topolovka, Verkhniy Paren, Gizhiga.

The Mi-38 multi-purpose helicopter can be used to transport cargo and passengers, be used as a search and rescue helicopter and a flying hospital, and for flights over the water surface.

The Mi-38 helicopter has proven itself to be a reliable vehicle for transport communications in the North and can be operated in a wide range of climatic conditions.

Thanks to the technical solutions used, the helicopter surpasses other machines in its class in terms of payload, passenger capacity and basic flight characteristics.

https://magadanmedia.ru/news/1695107/

Mi-38 has entered service with Kolyma Air.

Cool orca livery, a tad Airwolf-ish...

Video showing the delivered Mi-38s.