23-Sep-2012 Source: Russian Helicopters
Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise (KumAPP), part of Russian Helicopters and a producer of the Kamov Design Bureau’s distinctive coaxial-rotor civilian and military helicopters, is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
KumAPP is one of the biggest industrial enterprises in Russia, and the main manufacturing centre for the advanced civilian and military helicopters developed by the Kamov Design Bureau, also a Russian Helicopters company. KumAPP has unique knowledge, technical capabilities and experience of mass production of these highly complex aircraft.
Civilian helicopters built at KumAPP include the Ka-32 and Ka-226, while military models include the Ka-27, Ka-28, Ka-29 and Ka-31 series.
The plant’s two main models are the medium multirole Ka-32 and the light Ka-226. The Ka-32 is the civilian version of the popular shipborne anti-submarine Ka-27PL. Various versions of the Ka-32 have been successfully deployed in Canada, South Korea, Switzerland, Chile, Mexico, Spain, Portugal, Taiwan, Japan, China, Papua New Guinea and elsewhere.
The Ka-32A11BC is one of the most in-demand versions of the Ka-32 and is in use around the world, particularly when dealing with the consequences of natural disasters. It is especially suited to fire-fighting and emergency evacuation missions, as well as precision construction operations. It has been certificated in North and South America, Europe and Asia. Since 2011 the model has been certificated in Brazil, and in Europe since 2009 (EASA.IM.R.133). The Ka-32A11BC received certification in China, Indonesia and South Korea in 2008, in Chile in 2007, in Mexico in 2005, and in Canada in 1998.
The light multirole Ka-226 is certificated by the Interstate Aviation Committee to AP-29 standards and holds ST 225-Ka-226 certificates. The Ka-226’s coaxial rotor system and original fuselage layout give it important benefits of modularity thanks to its advanced flight characteristics, simplicity and ease of flying. Distinctive features include its modular fuselage structure, which can be used for various purposes in one helicopter. The latest version – the Ka-226T – is equipped with powerful and economic Arrius 2G1 engines (certificated by the EASA in 2011) and the latest Russian VR-226N gearing system. It is the first time that the Arrius 2G1 has been used in a coaxial helicopter. This gives the Ka-226T unprecedented levels of safety – even with just one working engine it has enough power to manoeuvre (up to 750hp). The combination of advanced engines, an accident-proof fuel system and energy absorbing seats make this one of the greenest and safest helicopters in its class.
The multirole military Ka-27 produced at KumAPP has been developed in numerous different versions. The two most widely used are the Ka-27PL (the main shipborne anti-submarine helicopter used in the Russian Navy) and the Ka-27PS (a shipborne search-and-rescue helicopter). The Ka-28 is an export version of the K-27PL that differs in some of the on-board equipment, the IFF system and the increased fuel capacity (4,770 litres). The Ka-27 was also used as the basis for the military transport Ka-29.
The Ka-31 is another shipborne helicopter designed to defend against aerial attacks by ships operating outside the range of coastal radar stations and airborne early-warning aircraft. It is a modification of the Ka-29, and is equipped for surveillance and to protect naval units from air attacks.
KumAPP was founded in 1962 at a repair and technical facility. The first production – a Ka-26 – was produced in 1968. In its 50-year history, KumAPP has grown into one of Russia’s largest helicopter building plants, making high quality products that are in demand around the world for their flight characteristics. Russian Helicopters is a leading global producer of civilian helicopters capable of operating at high altitude in mountains, at sea and in crowded urban conditions.