MOSCOW. Nov 24 (Interfax-AVN) - The Kumertau Aircraft Production Enterprise (KumAPP) in Russia's internal republic of Bashkortostan has invested up to $9.5 million in the development of the KA-226 Hoodlum light utility helicopter, KumAPP Director General Boris Malyshev told Interfax-Military News Agency on Wednesday.
According to him, such considerable investments in the research and development and series production of the KA-226 have resulted in aggravating the enterprise's financial situation.
"Own financial assets have been invested in order to facilitate a stable future for the enterprise," he emphasized.
According to him, in order to offset the expenditures incurred the enterprise is to manufacture a total of 20 KA-226s a year, without taking into account KA-31 and KA-32 Helix helicopters, produced by the enterprise under various agreements and contracts.
Malyshev also said that the enterprise had established a number of new production facilities, for instance those manufacturing fuel tanks, and KA-226 main rotor columns.
"The enterprise has procured necessary national and Swiss equipment," he said.
According to him, the budget has allocated about 16 million Russian rubles ($563,300). "The enterprise has also borrowed 500 million Russian rubles ($17.6 million) in bank loans," Malyshev said.
The KA-226 light helicopter is intended for transportation of up to nine passengers. It has a maximum take-off weight of 3,400 kg. The maximum payload is up to 1,400 kg in the transport cabin and up to 1,500 kg on outer suspension points. The maximum speed is 205 kmph, cruise speed 194 kmph and operational range up to 600 km. The aircraft can spend up to 4 hours 34 minutes in the air without additional fuel tanks and up to 6 hours 45 minutes with additional fuel tanks.
The KA-226 multifunctional helicopter with two engines developing 450 hp each has a modular design. This makes it possible to use it in passenger and cargo transportation, search and rescue operations, sanitary, patrol and fire-fighting missions.
Experts say the demand for the helicopter within up to 2010 may be up to 400 pieces.