Russia Plans New Helicopter Carriers, Attack Rotorcraft
A Russian Naval Ka-27. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy
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 designing 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The Ka-27 was designed in the 1960s and has become significantly outdated.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 a necessity for the Russian navy, which plans to build at least two helicopter carriers.
Two years ago, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the design of a new navy helicopter 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 probable chance that 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 purchasing existing models, the Russian Defence Ministry is placing orders for the design of completely new combat helicopters.
According to recent statements made by top management of Russian Helicopters, there is a possibility for “massive production” of a new high-speed combat helicopter starting next year.
The new model is based on the Mi-24 attack helicopter and will be able to reach speeds of more than 400 kph.
"Future prospects for high-speed attack helicopters are very good," said Col. Gen. 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 would be involved in the project.
The new helicopter will be designed for special combat missions and will have its own unique niche, not competing with any other types of helicopters in Russia.
According the Russia's military newspaper Voisko, the new helicopter will be ideally suited to attack 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 and is 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 kph. The new helicopter will be designed for speed — at almost twice the speed of the existing Mi-8/Mi-17 multi-purpose helicopters.
It will be equipped with a 3,000 shp VC-2500M engine based on the Klimov VK-2500 turboshaft engine, which currently powers the Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters as the replacement of the banned Ukrainian engines.
The Russian army puts big hopes on the new helicopter, despite the fact that its fuel consumption will be probably the highest among the already existing analogues.
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.
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