The Russian Navy has confirmed it will fly a KA27 helicopter during the Royal Australian Navy’s centenary celebration International Fleet Review on October 5.
As part of the international naval aerial displays, the KA27 will operate alongside the Russian Navy’s Pacific Fleet Flagship, the guided missile cruiser Varyag. It is understood a mock sea rescue will be conducted in Sydney Harbour as part of the display.
The historic visit by Varyag will mark 110 years since the last time a Russian naval vessel visited Australia.
The KA27 helicopter (NATO code-named Helix) is the military-specified version of the newer civil KA32A11BC version, which was recently certified in Australia. Like the Ka-32 the Ka-27 features a co-axial rotor system with a tail boom instead of tail rotor giving it great stability.
The Russian Navy operates two variants of the Ka-27. The Ka-27PL & Ka-27 PLM are Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) variants featuring upgraded sensor systems including a nose-integrated search radar system, disposable sonar buoys and a dipping sonar system array. The upgraded helicopters also include an improved TV3-117MVA-SB3 turboshaft power plant. The Ka-27PS – to be flown during the RAN Centenary celebrations – is a naval search and rescue (SAR) model, featuring an externally-mounted winch that will be showcased in the IFR aerial display in October.
