The Ka-226T with the Russian VK-650V engine will be certified in 2025 and flight tests will start in 2024, Mikhail Korotkevich, CEO of Mil and Kamov Helicopters, said at the Russian Helicopter Forum on 5 December.
The helicopter was designed for high altitude flights and differs from the previous variants of the Ka-226 family by a new airframe and fuselage design, as well as improved aerodynamic characteristics. The Ka-226T also received a new propeller column, blades, main gearbox and a shock-resistant, crash-resistant fuel system. The Ka-226T made its first flight in 2021.
The helicopter was originally designed for French Safran Arrius 2G1 engines. Under the import substitution programme, ODK-Klimov is developing a new turboshaft engine for the Ka-226 – the VK-650V. The Russian powerplant promises to be more powerful – 650 hp at take-off versus 580 hp of the foreign engine. VK-650V is also planned to be installed on Ansat and VR500 helicopters.
According to Mikhail Korotkevich, tests of Ansat with VK-650V engine will also start in 2024. This machine is being developed and modernised by specialists of the Kazan Helicopter Plant. VK-650V will replace the Canadian PW207K engines. “Ansat” with the Russian engine is planned to be certified in 2024.
According to the Comprehensive Development Programme, the Russian air transport industry is not interested in the Ka-226 helicopter and its cargo modification. Thus, over the next seven years, only one helicopter of this family is scheduled for production in 2027 for a domestic customer. Russian Helicopters and its parent organisation Rostec are working to organise serial production of the Ka-226T jointly with HAL Corporation in India at the Russian-Indian enterprise established in 2017.
