Story ID: 
Russian Helicopter Ka-62 Makes First Flight
By: Mark Huber
Caption: The Ka-62 is expected to cost in the $10 million range, seat 12 to 15 and be aimed primarily at the offshore energy and search and rescue markets.
Word Count: 208
More than a year after it performed its first hover, Russian Helicopters's Kamov Ka-62 medium twin made a limited test flight—a 15-minute orbit—on May 25 at speeds up to 60 knots from the Progress test facility at Arsenyev. Since the helicopter first hovered on April 28 last year, Russian Helicopters said the Ka-62 has been “gradually” subjected to increased systems and equipment testing as it prepares for certification testing on the ground and in the air. The company said “several” Ka-62 test aircraft have been produced.

First announced in 1992, the program has been beset by multiyear delays. The Ka-62 is expected to cost in the $10 million range, seat 12 to 15 and be aimed primarily at the offshore energy and search-and-rescue markets. Russian defense and law enforcement agencies appear to be early customers for the model.

The 14,000- to 15,000-pound mtow helicopter features a hybrid airframe that is 60 percent polymer composite by weight; a ducted tailrotor; five-blade main rotor system; twin hydraulics systems; and bird-resistant windshield. Power comes from a pair of 1,680-shp (max continuous) Safran Ardiden 3G engines. The avionics were developed locally by Russia's Transas. Initial performance targets include a 156-knot cruising speed a maximum range of 389 nm or 613 nm with auxiliary tanks.