Ka-62 approaching first flight

One of the central exhibits at the previous HeliRussia was a full-size mock-up of the new 6.5-ton Kamov Ka-62 medium utility helicopter. This year Russian Helicopters is planning to showcase the first prototype, which is one of the two currently being assembled at the Arsenyev Progress production plant.

French powerplant specialist Turbomeca has already delivered 1,680-hp Ardiden 3G turboshaft engines to Russia to power the first Ka-62 prototype. Russian Helicopters says the engines have been successfully tested to validate their correspondence to the design specifications. The first transmission system, designed by Austrian specialist Zoerkler, is expected to be delivered in May.
Russian Helicopters hopes the Ka-62 will join the flying display at the MAKS exhibition outside Moscow this August; this would be the first public demonstration of the helicopter in flight. "The Ka-62 will be flying at MAKS if we are completely satisfied that it can perform a spectacular sequence," says general director Dmitry Petrov. "It is important that we demonstrate to our current and future customers what the new Russian helicopter is actually capable of."