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The Ka-27 "Helix" is the primary multi-role helicopter
for the Russian Navy. It operates off of ships and performs a multitude
of duties including, but not limited to: anti-submarine warfare
(its primary role), search and rescue, maritime patrol, anti-surface
warfare and transport duties.
The Ka-27 was introduced into the Soviet Navy as a replacement
for the aging Ka-25 "Hormone" in 1982. The Ka-27 was designed
much to the same dimensions as the Ka-25, so that it could utilize
the existing decks on Soviet warships designed for the Ka-25, but
although the two have many design similarities, the Ka-27 is distinguishably
longer than the Ka-27.
The first version of the Ka-25 to enter service was the Ka-25PL
"Helix-A". The PL was designed strictly as an Anti-Submarine
Warfare (ASW) platform. It can, however, participate in limited
rescue and transport operations. For the ASW role, the Helix has
a weapons bay under the fuselage that can accommodate torpedoes
and other stores as well as sonobuoys, but as of yet, there are
no accurate accounts of the weapons capabilities or the possible
armament of the Ka-27PL.
The second version of the "Helix" to enter service was
the Ka-29TB "Helix-B". This version is quite different
than the -25PL in a number of ways, because the -27TB is an assault
helicopter. It is designed to haul 16 fully armed troops from ship
into combat in its spacious cabin. Instead of the weapons bay under
the fuselage, there is a whole lot of armor plating. The rescue
winch has been removed from above the left rear entrance, and all
ASW capabilities have been lost in the conversion from the patrol
and ASW role to the assault role.
The final version of the "Helix" to enter service was
the Ka-27PS "Helix-D", which is essentially the same as
the civil version, the Ka-32 "Helix-C". Both versions
have no ASW capability, no rescue capability, and are bound strictly
to the transport role.
Operators: Algeria, Ukraine, China, Vietnam, the Soviet Union /
Russia and India.
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