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Ukhtomsky Helicopter plant named after N.I.Kamov. The plant originated from the experimental facility of propeller articles ¹ 290, which was found in 1940 on the basis of airfield facility in the suburbs of Moscow at Ukhtomsky station. It was headed by N.I.Kamov. In 1941 the plant was evacuated and in 1943 was disbanded. Kamov Design Bureau was recreated in 1948 in Moscow, and in 1954 it was again transferred to the previous territory (Ukhtomsky station). The DB specialization is development of helicopters of co-axial design that is two propeller helicopters with rotors on one axis and rotating in opposite direction. This helicopter design was always considered reasonable as it used rationally engine power, had good maneuvering properties and small dimensions. In the early 40th this design was widely used as an experimental helicopters design, however, as the theory of aeromechanics of co-axial did not exist the difficulties met at its creation and development made most designers to refuse it. The DB development started with one-seat ship-based helicopter the Ka-10 (1949)for communication and surveillance. That actually gave rise to production of the co-axial helicopter design. Piloting features of the co-axial helicopter design deemed to be excellent for take-off and landing on the rocking decks of small size. The limited capabilities of this small one-seat helicopter prevented the Ka-10 to be put into series production. The one that was put into series production was the Ka-15, two-seat ship-based helicopter. Development of ocean fleet in the USSR required further development of ship-based helicopters, capable to carry out marine defense, reconnaissance, target detection, rescue operation and so on. The new ship-based helicopter was demonstrated in 1961. High performances of the helicopter were demonstrated in 1974 while clearing of mines in the area of Suez Channel. In the early 70th a multipurpose ship-based helicopter the Ka-27 was developed to replace the Ka-25. It was the basis for creation of several modifications used for Navy operation (Ka-27PS, Ka-28, Ka-29). In the 80th a combat Ka-50 of high maneuverability was created to support on-ground troops. The second branch of the DB activity is creation of general purpose helicopter. The first helicopter for these purpose like (Ka-15M and Ka-18) were developed by the DB on the basis of ship-based Ka-15. They were widely used for chemical dispersion. However their low payload called for creation of a highly effective, specialized helicopter for agriculture. Taking into account that agricultural works are performed seasonally it ought to be reequipped to perform other works. This type of helicopter was the KA-26-multipurpose helicopter with two piston engines, three-blade co-axial propellers, two-thin empenage and four-strut non-retractable landing gear. Simplicity, easy operation and low power consumption provided the KA-26 wide use in the USSR and abroad.The Ka-25K is a transport helicopter with engines, three blade co-axial propeller and four-strut landing gear. The Ka-32 was built according to the typical for the DB design with tree blade co-axial propellers, small fuselage, two-thin empenage and four-strut landing gear. The Ka-126 is a multipurpose modification of the Ka-26 helicopter, where two piston engines were replaced with one gas-turbine engine. To investigate the problem of rotorcraft speed increase in the 50th the DB considered creation of a new rotorcraft - the Ka-22 - an experimental transport rotorcraft with two gas-turbine engines, with four blade pulling propellers, two rotors, high wing and three-strut non-retractable landing gear with nose landing gear. Along with rotorcraft the DB also designed and built air skies ("North-2", Ka-30). | | | |
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