RuAviation

The Ka-62 helicopter, which received its transport category type certificate in November 2021, was originally designed with the international market in mind. This predetermined the widespread use of foreign units and systems in its design: engines, transmission, fuel system, and flight and navigation equipment. However, given the current geopolitical environment, continued deliveries of foreign components for the serial production and maintenance of helicopters is no longer feasible.

In this regard, to ensure technological independence, it is necessary to replace imported Ka-62 components with Russian equivalents. Currently, work is actively underway to create the domestic ATV-62 transmission and the VK-1600V engine. Nine sets of prototypes of the transmission have been manufactured for bench tests and tests as part of a full-scale test stand. Four prototypes of the VK-1600V engine are undergoing acceptance testing. Two sets of prototypes of flexible rods for the back-up control system of the VK-1600V engines and the main rotor brake have also been created. Technical studies have been carried out into changes to the helicopter’s design associated with the replacement of imported components.

Despite the work already done, the Ka-62 still retains a high degree of import dependency. To fully solve the problem, it is necessary to continue work on the import substitution of the helicopter’s units and systems. To achieve this goal, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has announced a tender for the performance of research and development (R&D) work to create a modification of the Ka-62 helicopter with import-substituted parts. The R&D code is “Ka-62/9”. The starting price of the contract, which will be signed with the contractor, is ₽3,289,199,690 (approximately $35.8 million USD).

As part of the R&D, it is necessary to develop, manufacture and install domestic units, assemblies, equipment and systems on the Ka-62, which are at least comparable to the foreign counterparts in their characteristics. This list includes: the basic equipment complex (KBO-62M), a crash-resistant fuel system (CRFS), windscreen cleaning system (WCS), hydraulic system units, an air conditioning system (ACS), a system for controlling general helicopter equipment (SUOVO-S), and an on-board cable network.

The R&D tasks include testing the ATV-62 transmission on a full-scale test stand, modifying the Ka-62 prototype for the first flight with the ATV-62 transmission and VK-1600V engines, as well as the first flight itself. In addition, it is necessary to develop and manufacture import-substituted components, conduct their qualification and bench tests, re-equip the prototype helicopter, and conduct a set of ground and flight preliminary tests.

It is anticipated that the results of the R&D will confirm the flight performance characteristics of the Ka-62 modification with import-substituted components and will allow further certification work to begin. The R&D completion period covers the period from the signing of the state contract until December 2027 and includes the following phases:

1. Preparation for the first flight with the ATV-62 transmission and VK-1600V engine – up to 1st December 2025.
2. Bench tests of Ka-62 helicopter units with import-substituted parts – up to 2nd December 2025.
3. Preparation and first flight – 1st November 2025 – 30th November 2026.
4. Development of component parts in the 2026 timeframe – 1st November 2025 – 1st December 2026.
5. Bench tests of Ka-62 helicopter units with import-substituted parts – 1st November 2025 – 2nd December 2026.
6. Development of component parts for the Ka-62 helicopter in the 2027 timeframe – 1st November 2026 – 29th November 2027.
7. Preparation and conduct of bench endurance and certification tests of units and systems of the Ka-62 helicopter with import-substituted parts – 1st November 2026 – 1st December 2027.
8. Re-equipping the Ka-62 helicopter prototype with Russian component parts for conducting preliminary tests – 1st November 2026 – 2nd December 2027.
9. Conducting preliminary ground and flight tests of the Ka-62 helicopter prototype with import-substituted parts – 1st November 2026 – 3rd December 2027.

Completion of the import substitution work package will not only allow the Ka-62 to be put into series production, but also ensure its full operational support, which is critical to maintaining the helicopter’s airworthiness and safety.