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Kamov-226 to spearhead Russias campaign for US$600 million chopper contract
08 Mar 2009 8ak: Spearheading Russias campaign in the ongoing trials for the US$600 million contract for procurement of 197 light utility helicopters (LUH) is the Kamov-226 'Sergei'.
Three Kamov-226 choppers have already arrived in India to participate in trials to be conducted in the high altitude areas of Jammu and Kashmir. The twin engine Kamov-226, powered by Rolls-Royce Allison 250-C20R/2 turboshaft engines, is based on the development of the proven "flying chassis" Ka-26 general purpose helicopter. The Ka-226 has interchangeable mission pods rather than a conventional cabin within the main fuselage.
The main 770-litre capacity fuel tanks provide a flight endurance of 4.24hr. With the 320-litre auxiliary tanks this is increased to 6.45hr. A performance advantage of the helicopter, when working from bases at altitudes high above sea level and in mountainous terrain, is the high dynamic ceiling of 5,000m and static ceiling at 2,000m. The helicopter has an 18,000hr life with a schedule service life of 25 years. The instruments, displays, controls and night vision equipment allow night time flight. The helicopter is equipped with weather reconnaissance radar and thermal imaging systems for night patrol, reconnaissance and search operations. The chopper has a maximum speed of 205 km/hr and cruising speed of 195 km/hr and can carry up to 1,400kg cargo.
As part of the contract, the selected bidder will supply 60 choppers to India in a fly-away condition, while the remaining 137 will be assembled by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). The bidders for the US$600 million contract are Eurocopter, Russian Mil and Kamov, American Sikorsky & Bell and Italian Agusta Westland. The initial tender for procurement of LUHs was cancelled by the government due to alleged irregularities in the process. It is believed that Eurocopter had fielded its civilian variant for field trials whereas another company had offered its military version. However, the RFP for the ongoing trial was once again issued in 2009 and will take another one and half year before any decision is reached by the government pertaining to the procurement of these choppers.
The choppers are the main stay of logistical operations of the three wings of the armed forces. They have multiple utilities ranging from rescue operations, carrying relief material, ferrying soldiers and combat, as seen during the Kargil war, when Mi-17 was deployed. India is also looking to speed up its acquisition of a multi-role helicopter. In addition to this, the IAF has projected a requirement of another 350 Medium-Lift Helicopters.
8ak - Indian Defence News: Kamov-226 to spearhead Russia?s campaign for US$600 million chopper contract
08 Mar 2009 8ak: Spearheading Russias campaign in the ongoing trials for the US$600 million contract for procurement of 197 light utility helicopters (LUH) is the Kamov-226 'Sergei'.
Three Kamov-226 choppers have already arrived in India to participate in trials to be conducted in the high altitude areas of Jammu and Kashmir. The twin engine Kamov-226, powered by Rolls-Royce Allison 250-C20R/2 turboshaft engines, is based on the development of the proven "flying chassis" Ka-26 general purpose helicopter. The Ka-226 has interchangeable mission pods rather than a conventional cabin within the main fuselage.
The main 770-litre capacity fuel tanks provide a flight endurance of 4.24hr. With the 320-litre auxiliary tanks this is increased to 6.45hr. A performance advantage of the helicopter, when working from bases at altitudes high above sea level and in mountainous terrain, is the high dynamic ceiling of 5,000m and static ceiling at 2,000m. The helicopter has an 18,000hr life with a schedule service life of 25 years. The instruments, displays, controls and night vision equipment allow night time flight. The helicopter is equipped with weather reconnaissance radar and thermal imaging systems for night patrol, reconnaissance and search operations. The chopper has a maximum speed of 205 km/hr and cruising speed of 195 km/hr and can carry up to 1,400kg cargo.
As part of the contract, the selected bidder will supply 60 choppers to India in a fly-away condition, while the remaining 137 will be assembled by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). The bidders for the US$600 million contract are Eurocopter, Russian Mil and Kamov, American Sikorsky & Bell and Italian Agusta Westland. The initial tender for procurement of LUHs was cancelled by the government due to alleged irregularities in the process. It is believed that Eurocopter had fielded its civilian variant for field trials whereas another company had offered its military version. However, the RFP for the ongoing trial was once again issued in 2009 and will take another one and half year before any decision is reached by the government pertaining to the procurement of these choppers.
The choppers are the main stay of logistical operations of the three wings of the armed forces. They have multiple utilities ranging from rescue operations, carrying relief material, ferrying soldiers and combat, as seen during the Kargil war, when Mi-17 was deployed. India is also looking to speed up its acquisition of a multi-role helicopter. In addition to this, the IAF has projected a requirement of another 350 Medium-Lift Helicopters.
8ak - Indian Defence News: Kamov-226 to spearhead Russia?s campaign for US$600 million chopper contract
