MOSCOW. March 1 (Interfax-AVN) - India can be the first buyer of the new Russian KA-226 Hoodlum multi-functional helicopter, head of a department of the Kamov Helicopter Company Alexander Anosov told Interfax-Military News Agency on Friday.
Anosov said the Indian military needed an aircraft that would be able to operate in mountains at high altitudes. Indian experts are very much interested in the KA-226, because the helicopter can be used for airlifting detachments to hard-to-get areas, as well as for air assaults, transportation of armament and munitions, evacuation of casualties and other tasks.
Anosov said the coaxial helicopter could be effectively used in the mountains, for its operation, unlike that of other helicopters, was not dependent on updrafts and side wind gusts.
The KA-226 helicopter was exhibited at the Defexpo India 2002 show in late February.
Anosov also stressed the helicopters were in great demand both on domestic and foreign markets.
According to unofficial data, the Russian Emergency Ministry will procure up to 150 helicopters. Orders for the aircraft have been lodged by the Moscow city government (up to 10 helicopters) and gas giant Gazprom (up to 50 aircraft). The total capacity of the Russian and CIS markets has been assessed at 1,500 aircraft.
KA-226 helicopters can also be employed in the Russian Air Force as trainers; they can also be used by the Federal Border Guard Service, State Customs Committee, Russian Defense, Sport and Technical Organization (ROSTO) as well as in other services and departments.
The aircraft is powered with two Allison-250-C20R engines, 450 horsepower each. The Russian AI-450 engine is now being developed for the helicopter. The KA-226 is to airlift eight men, its take-off weight mounting up to 3,400 kilograms. The maximum payload is 1.500 kilograms, the cruise speed is 194 kilometers per hour. The service ceiling is 6.200 kilometers and the operational range is mounting up to 600 kilometers. The aircraft is operated by one pilot.
The mass-production of the helicopter is being launched at the Kumertau Aircraft Enterprise and the Strela Production Enterprise in the city of Orenburg.
The cost of a KA-226 helicopter fitted with two foreign engines mounts up to USD1.5m.