MOSCOW. Feb 4 (Interfax-AVN) - The KA-27 Helix helicopter, fitted with the Kopyo-A radar, has started progressing through flight tests, a source in the Russian defense industry told Interfax-Military News Agency on Wednesday.
"At the present time the KA-27 prototype, fitted with the Kopyo-A radar, has carried out the first four flights," the source said.
This radar is being tested both in the interests of the national naval aviation, and exported KA-28 Helix helicopters, as well as modernization of helicopters of this type, exported earlier, he noted.
According to the source, the first batch of Kopyo-A radars, designed to be fitted on KA-27 helicopters, is to be manufactured next year. This delivery is envisioned by the 2004 state defense order, he said.
The baseline version of the Kopyo radar, developed by the Fazotron-NIIR Corporation, features several modifications and is being upgraded still further.
For instance, the Kopyo-DL microwave radar has been developed. It is designed to be fitted in the tail unit of the SU- 27 Flanker fighter, but may also be used for all-round surveillance on helicopters. At the present time a prototype of such radar has been manufactured. "This radar will most likely be flight tested on Kamov helicopters," the source said.
"The Kopyo-M modification is currently under development. At the moment a pilot has to visually adjust the television sight on the target. The new radar will allow the television sight to be used in any weather by day and night. The radar is quartered in a container. In the future this radar is expected to be mounted in the nose part of the SU-25 Frogfoot attack aircraft," the source said.
At the same time he noted that the Kopyo-M radar is designed to be fitted on new aircraft, as well as upgraded SU-25 attack aircraft in service with both the Russian Air Force, and foreign states.
"Radars for national and foreign customers differ primarily in the layout," the source said.