The Climber, Née “Hoodlum”, to Debut at Dubai Flight Show

Rostec State Corporation's Russian Helicopters Holding Company has commenced its flight tests and made the successful first flight of the Kamov Ka-226. The testing has been centered at the test facility of the Mil and Kamov National Helicopter Center, a hub for the country's rotary expertise. For the first time in Russian Design history, the rotorcraft will be blueprinted and developed entirely in digital design software. 

The modernized Sergei is an update to the small, twin-engine utility helicopter. Known for its integration of a modular, reconfigurable pod in place of a traditional cabin, Kamov's Sergei, or Hoodlum, in NATO parlance, has been a commercial standby in Eastern Europe for its wide-ranging service capability. A multi-function, affordable, and reliable helicopter is a welcome addition to cash-strapped operators facing infrequent and intermittent use of special purpose helicopters that would otherwise stay parked most of their lives.

The upgraded variant will feature a modernized cockpit, enhanced lighting for night operation, and improved all-weather flight capability. Increased power output resulted in the working project title of "Climber", from its high performance at altitude compared to older models. A redesigned airframe, fuselage, and hull reportedly improved its aerodynamics in flight, with a new rotor system and gearbox providing greater reliability. Refinements to the fuel system have resulted in a shockproof emergency backup, which should meet the strictest safety requirements. Unveiled recently in the Russian MAKS-2021 aerospace expo, Rostec says it will be publicly displayed at the upcoming Dubai Airshow.

"The new Ka-226T is the first Russian helicopter with the entire design documentation done in digital format, significantly cutting the time required to build the machine and shortly begin flight tests. At the end of this week, the upgraded Ka-226T will make its debut at international exhibitions during the Dubai Airshow 2021, and we are confident that it will stir genuine interest among foreign customers due to its excellent flight characteristics, enabling its operation at altitudes up to 6.5 kilometers, its versatility, comfort and safety," a Rostec spokesman said.

FMI: www.rostec.ru/en