Ka-60 'Kasatka' (Killer Whale) by V.Krygin (Kamov Company)

39k photo of guarded Ka-60, courtesy of AviaPhil;

The first Kamov helicopter with 'classical' tail-rotor layout. Ka-60 is a military transport helicopter, replacement for aging Mi-8. New machine promises 60% saving in fuel consumption, as well as far superior reliability and maintainability. It is to fulfill a full spectrum of roles, from training and assault troop transport to all-weather reconnaissance and target designation for attack helicopters.

Armament is possible on detachable pylons on the fuselage sides. With advanced avionics and electronics added, the Ka-60 can also be used for radio-electronic jamming and for special-operations missions, which have the most demanding requirements for navigation and security. The Ka-60 may also operate as part of "mixed strike groups," in conjunction with Ka-50 'Black Shark' helicopters. The Russians are developing new tactics for the helicopter, which likely will become operational early in the 21st century.

Design of the Ka-60 began in the late 80s, but its existence was not revealed until 1997, while a closely related civil version, the Ka-62 (or Ka-64), was shown many years previously, in September 1990. At that time, a first flight date of 1993 was announced. Due to the lack of money in Russia, a prototype of the Ka-60 was not completed and rolled-out at Lubertsy until August 1998.

An "official" first flight followed on 24 December (test-pilot Vladimir Lavrov on controls), but the real maiden lift-off had been on December 10. Chief test pilot Vladimir Lavrov and navigator Pavel Kalinin were in the cockpit. Test program will be finished up in a year, and manufacturing facility for new helicopter will be determined after the marketing research. Production aircraft may be available as soon as in 2000, because the Russian army already has expressed urgent interest.

The civil version (Ka-64) is also planned. It's interesting that the military version of the aircraft will be certified by civil aviation rules, reducing the time of promotion to the local and foreign markets.

Unlike many modern Russian/CIS projects, Ka-60 relies 100% on domestic equipment, including avionics and RD-600 engines from 'Rybinsk Motors'.