Kamov Ka-32 (Helix)

Multirole Coaxial Utility Helicopter

Soviet Union / Russia | 1990

"The Kamov Ka-32 is a civilian-minded form of the military-centric Ka-27 Helix coaxial helicopter originating in the Soviet Union."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 04/07/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The Ka-32 is the civilian market version of the military-minded Ka-27 ("Helix") multirole helicopter series produced by Kamov of Russia (formerly the Soviet Union). The type retains the key qualities of the original include its coaxial main rotor installation which sees one main rotor set atop the other, cancelling out naturally occurring torque and negating the use of a tail rotor component in the design. Like the versatile Ka-27 in service with the Russian Navy and others, the Ka-32 has a slew of variants all its own to cover various civilian market roles and requirements.

Externally the aircraft carries on much of the design lines of of the original Ka-27. It seats its piloting crew in the familiar side-by-side arrangement, has sliding doors for cabin access, and fixed, four-point wheeled undercarriage. The main rotors sit atop the stout fuselage and a twin-rudder-fin tail unit is featured along a shortened tail stem. Klimov turboshaft engines power the line and this pairing is used to drive the twin three-bladed main rotors in contra-rotating fashion.

Variants in the line include the initial Ka-32A production model for civil transport. The Ka-31A1 was developed into a fire-fighting platform complete with bucket. The Ka-32A2 is a law enforcement model that carries a pair of searchlights as well as a speaker system. The Ka-32A4 has been evolved along the lines of Search and Rescue (SAR) and MEDEVAC (MEDical EVACuation). The Ka-32A7 is an armed version of the Ka-27PS production model while the Ka-31A11BC is an export-minded variant powered by 2 x Klimov TV3-117MA engines and features a digital glass cockpit. Similarly, the Ka-32A12 is a foreign type. The Ka-32M is a proposed modernized variant featuring the TV3-117VMA-SB3 engine and the Ka-32S (?Helix-C?) an overwater / maritime performer for the SAR role but also features a sonar unit at the nose.

The Ka-32T (also "Helix-C") is a utility model that can carry up to sixteen passengers. The Ka-32K is a specially-modified flying crane model with gondola operating station.

A modernized Ka-32, designation the Ka-32A11M, is set to debut at MAKS 2021. This version will feature an all-new glass cockpit, updated avionics, and uprated Klimov VK-2500PS-02 turboshaft engines while sporting a new fire suppression system.

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May 2021 - Work is proceeding on the modernized Ka-32 to be designated Ka-32A11M. An example is scheduled to appear at MAKS in July 2021.

February 2022 - The Portuguese Air Force has integrated the Ka-32 into its active fleet.

Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Kamov Ka-32A Multirole Coaxial Utility Helicopter.

2 x Klimov TV3-117MA turboshaft engines developing 2,200 horsepower each driving a coaxial 2 x Three-bladed main rotor arrangement.
Propulsion

162 mph
260 kph | 140 kts
Max Speed

19,685 ft
6,000 m | 4 miles
Service Ceiling

705 miles
1,135 km | 613 nm
Operational Range

City-to-City Ranges
Operational range when compared to distances between major cities (in KM).

NYC

LON

PAR

BER

MOS

TOK

SYD

LAX

NYC

Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the Kamov Ka-32A Multirole Coaxial Utility Helicopter.

3
(MANNED)
Crew

37.1 ft
11.30 m
O/A Length

52.2 ft
(15.90 m)
O/A Width

18.0 ft
(5.50 m)
O/A Height

14,573 lb
(6,610 kg)
Empty Weight

24,251 lb
(11,000 kg)
MTOW

Design Balance
The three qualities reflected below are altitude, speed, and range. The more full the box, the more balanced the design.

RANGE

ALT

SPEED

Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the Kamov Ka-32 (Helix) Multirole Coaxial Utility Helicopter .

None. Internal space for up to 16 passengers or equivalent in cargo.

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Kamov Ka-32 (Helix) family line.

Ka-32 - Base Series Designation.

Ka-32A - Initial production model.

Ka-32A1 - Fire-fighting variant with water bucket.

Ka-32A2 - Law enforcement model; twin searchlight and loudspeaker fitted.

Ka-32A4 - Search and Rescue (SAR) / MEDEVAC variant.

Ka-32A7 - Armed variant based in the Ka-27PS.

Ka-32A11M - Modernized Ka-32; model of 2021.

Ka-32A11BC - European, Chinese, and Canadian airspace market export model; TV3-117MA turboshaft engines; digital glass cockpit.

Ka-32A12 - Switzerland airspace variant.

Ka-32C - Customized variant.

Ka-32M - Proposed model with TV3-117VMA-SB3 turboshaft engines.

Ka-32-10 - Project.

Ka-32S (Helix-C) - Maritime utility model; radar fitted to nose section.

Ka-32T (Helix-C) - Utility transport variant; seating for 16 passengers.

Ka-32K - Flying crane modification for special missions; operator pilot in gondola section.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Kamov Ka-32 (Helix). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 175 Units
Contractor(s): Kamov Helicopters - Soviet Union / Russia

[ Azerbaijan; Canada; Germany; Myanmar; Papua New Guinea; Portugal; Russia; South Korea; Soviet Union; Switzerland; Taiwan ]

Relative Max Speed

Hi: 200mph

Lo: 100mph

Aircraft Max Listed Speed (162mph).

Graph Average of 150 MPH.

Era Crossover

Showcasing Aircraft Era Crossover (if any)

Max Alt Visualization

Production Comparison

175

36183

44000

Entry compared against Ilyushin IL-2 (military) and Cessna 172 (civilian) total production.

MACH Regime (Sonic)

Sub

Trans

Super

Hyper

HiHyper

ReEntry

♦

Aviation Timeline

EarlyYrs

WWI

Interwar

WWII

ColdWar

Postwar

Modern

Future

♦

Mission Roles
Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to airborne requirements.

MEDEVAC

SEARCH & RESCUE

TRANSPORT

COMMERCIAL AVIATION

VIP SERVICE

Recognition
Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Going Further...
The Kamov Ka-32 (Helix) Multirole Coaxial Utility Helicopter appears in the following collections:

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