VK-650V Engine Destined for Ka-226T and Ansat-U Helicopters

The United Engine Corporation of Rostec has started testing a new VK-650V engine for Ka-226T and Ansat-U helicopters. The engine's first start proceeded without problems at the UEC-Klimov test bench in St. Petersburg.

Currently the engineers of UEC-Klimov in St. Petersburg have completed the first third of the test program, evaluated the key parameters of the product, and adjusted the joint operation of the stand and propulsion systems in various conditions.

The test engine condition was continuously monitored during the testing procedure. "Thanks to modern approaches to the design and manufacture of some of its parts using 3D printing, made it possible to produce a pre production model and start testing as scheduled. The engine has started for the first time and the expected performance
has been confirmed. This is only the beginning of a long journey, we have got a lot to do and we have to do it very quickly. The result we expect now is the first serial engine in Russia for light helicopters, such as Ansat-U and Ka-226T,” said Anatoly Serdyukov, industrial director of the aviation cluster of Rostec State Corporation.

12% of the new engine consists of 3D-printed parts, which was completed last December.

The VK-650V engine offers take-off power of 650 hp and is designed to operate in Russian Ka-226T light helicopters. It can be also installed on Ansat-U, VRT-500 helicopters and foreign helicopters of the same payload class. The type certificate for the VK-650V engine is planned for 2023.

FMI: https://rostec.ru/en/about/companies/344/