Kamov Ka-175 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Helicopter

Specifications

Year: 2016
Status: In-Development
Manufacturer(s): Kamov - Russia
Production: 1
Capabilities: Reconnaissance (RECCE); Unmanned;

Crew: 0
Length: 19.69 ft (6 m)
Width: 5.58 ft (1.7 m)
Height: 8.53 ft (2.6 m)

Power: Unknown propulsion system driving 2 x three-bladed main rotors in contra-rotating arrangement.

Speed: 124 mph (200 kph; 108 kts)
Ceiling: 16,404 feet (5,000 m; 3.11 miles)
Range: 522 miles (840 km; 454 nm)

Operators: Russia (assumed)

Slower to the UAV game that Western world powers, the Russians are steadily gaining ground in an effort to match potential enemies pound-for-pound. Long-time Russian helicopter maker Kamov has unveiled plans to produce a helicopter Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for possible shipboard and land-based use by the Russian military and intelligence services. The system would feature the trademark Kamov contra-rotating main rotor blades in which one main unit is seated over the other, negating the need for a tail rotor to counter torque. The arrangement has been proven for decades by the company throughout their extensive line of military and civilian helicopter models. The UAV is expected for the ISR role (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) and will carry applicable mission equipment as its payload. Kamov engineers have finalized vehicle's drawings with a mock-up already completed. A full-scale vehicle could be ready to make a first flight for 2015 with service entry possible shortly beyond that.

Other design features include a well-sloped fuselage section supported by a simple four-point landing skid arrangement - doing away with a more complicated, retractable setup. The fuselage will house all associated flight systems including avionics, payload, and fuel stores as well as the undisclosed powerplant. The empennage will be an integrated structure mounting the horizontal stabilizer with down-turned vertical tail fins.

The new Kamov endeavor will carry the designation of "Ka-175". Published measurements include a length of 6 meters, a height of 2.6 meters, and a width of 1.7 meters. Estimated performance numbers include a ferry range of 520 miles, a maximum speed of 125 miles per hour, and a service ceiling of 16,400 feet.

Armament

None. Mission-specific equipment intended for the ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) role.

Variants / Models

• Ka-175 - Base Series Designation