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The Ka-62 is making its debut at the air show. Russian Helicopters Photo

Ka-62 prepares for preliminary flight tests

Russian Helicopters Press Release | June 29, 2018

Estimated reading time 3 minutes, 26 seconds.

The AAK Progress specialists of the Russian Helicopters holding (part of Rostec State Corporation) are preparing the first flight model of the Ka-62 multi-purpose helicopter for preliminary flight tests.

There are now two Ka-62 prototypes, with a third expected to enter testing in 2018. Russian Helicopters Photo
To date three experienced Ka-62s have been manufactured, and the first helicopter will perform vibration tests in mid-July. Russian Helicopters Photo

The design of the body of the steering screw and tail unit on the aircraft have been finalized and reinforced, and the transmission of the standard design is installed. Preliminary tests and start of certification of the Ka-62 will be carried out before the end of 2018, the company said.

The active stage of the Ka-62 project began in 2012 with the presentation of a model of the helicopter of the renewed design at the HeliRussia Helicopter Industry International Exhibition. Certification of the machine was planned for three years later, but the results of the first tests revealed the need for improvements.

Currently, Russian Helicopters has overcome all technical difficulties, and since December 2016 the project has been developing in accordance with the schedule.

To date, in the AAC Progress, three experienced Ka-62s have been manufactured. According to the approved plan, in mid-July the first helicopter will perform vibration tests that will reveal the effectiveness of the implemented changes. According to the test results, if necessary, additional modifications of the body of the tail rotor and tail unit on all three flight copies of helicopters may be made.

The second flight model Ka-62 was transferred to the control tests and electrical systems. Here, its on-board systems will be inspected in the conditions of a computer simulation of flight and subsequent debugging. The third flight model of this aircraft will follow soon after.

“The increased interest in the Ka-62 forces us to critically evaluate the performance characteristics of each element of this helicopter,” said the managing director of AAK Progress, Yuri Denisenko. “In accordance with the plan approved by the holding company [Russian Helicopters], the company must certify the helicopter in 2018 to 2019 and start serial production.”

The Ka-62 is designed for the transportation of passengers; offshore work; emergency medical care; aerial work and surveillance; the transport of goods inside the cabin and external suspension; patrolling; and environmental monitoring. Due to the high altitude of the practical ceiling and the high thrust of engines, the Ka-62 can also carry out search-and-rescue and evacuation operations in mountainous areas.

A feature of the Ka-62 helicopter is the use in the construction of polymer composite materials (PCM) — fiberglass, carbon plastics, organoplastics, as well as high-strength modern aluminum, titanium alloys and steel. The volume of structures from PKM in a helicopter is brought to 60 percent by weight, which increases the speed, maneuverability and carrying capacity of the helicopter, and also reduces fuel consumption.

The helicopter glider differs by perfect aerodynamic contours, a spacious transport-passenger cabin and a three-column chassis with a tail support.

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