Kamov Ka-226

Kamov · Russia · first flew 1997 · helicopter

The Ka-226 is a light twin-turboshaft utility helicopter using Kamov's trademark coaxial rotor layout and a detachable mission module aft of the cockpit.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, rotary
E — Engines	2 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	8.1 m fuselage
T — Tail	Twin fin

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Coaxial contra-rotating rotors, no tail rotor
Interchangeable mission pod behind cabin
Twin tail booms with endplate fins

Look for the stacked coaxial rotors with no tail rotor, a boxy interchangeable pod behind the glazed cabin, and twin tail booms carrying small endplate fins.

Specifications

The Kamov Ka-226 has a length of 8.1 m (27 ft).
It has a wingspan of 13 m (43 ft).
Its maximum speed is 210 km/h (130 mph).
Typical crew: 1-2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Developed in the mid-1990s from the earlier piston Ka-26, the Ka-226 replaced the radial engines with two Allison (Rolls-Royce) 250-C20 turboshafts, first flying in 1997. Later production shifted to indigenous Russian turboshafts to sidestep import dependence.

Variants

The baseline Ka-226 spawned the Ka-226T with French Turbomeca Arrius engines and improved hot-and-high performance. Assorted mission pods let one airframe switch between passenger, cargo, medevac and patrol roles.

Where you'll see it

Russian civil, police and emergency services operate the type widely, and it has been marketed for Indian armed forces licence assembly. It has seen little UK use, its coaxial niche being filled here by conventional light twins.

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