VLADIMIR KARNOZOV / MOSCOW
Kamov prepares to test helicopters next month in readiness for army training role
RSKMiG's LAPIK aircraft factory has taken over production of the Kamov Ka-60/62 Kasatka multirole helicopter from the UUAZ helicopter plant in Ulan-Ude.
The first LAPIK-built Ka-60U, a training machine intended for Russia's army aviation flying schools, is to be handed over to Kamov, another RSK MiG company, for tests next month. The helicopter's fuselage was removed from assembly rigs in July and moved to the final assembly shop.
To increase RSK MiG's programme share, the NPO Saturn RD-600 turboshafts powering the only airworthy prototype will be replaced by the 1,120kW (1,500shp) VK-1500, which is built by group company Klimov.
The VK-1500 makes use of technologies developed for the 1,860kW VK-2500 that is replacing the Klimov TV3-117 on the Mil Mi-8/17 Hip, Mi-24/35 Hind and Kamov Ka-27/29/32 Helix machines.
The VK-1500 and VK-2500 are being produced by VKMS, a joint venture between Russia's Klimov and Ukraine's Motor-Sich. VKMS plans the first VK-1500 benchtests by the end of the year, while the first engine should be delivered to Kamov in May.
Meanwhile, RSK MiG is moving production from its Znamya Truda factory in Moscow to LAPIK, which is in Lukhovitsy, in the Moscow region. LAPIK has expanded rapidly in the last two years, and the work will be moved to benefit from the plant's lower labour costs and a need to better organise RSKMiG's sprawling production empire. "Our major workshops have not been upgraded for 20 years. Now we have started a major renewal programme. While some production remains in Moscow, the centre of manufacturing activities will move to Lukhovitsy," according to RSK MiG general director Nikolai Nikitin.
He adds: "LAPIK will be our major facility for flight testing," gradually taking over the role from the MiG flight-test facility at the Gromovflight-test and research institute. RSK MiG plans to increase civil production to 70-80% of its work.
Building of a new final assembly facility began in March at LAPIK. Intended primarily for the assembly of 20 100-seat Tupolev Tu-334 airliners a year, the building will also be used for general aviation aircraft manufacture.
The 210m (690ft)-long, 60m-wide, 27m-tall building is due for completion in December. LAPIK will also supply around Tu-334 assemblies, giving it 37% of the programme.
LAPIK's role in production of the MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter will increase from 30% to 70-80% over the next few years as a series of upgrade programmes for the Russian air force enters production.
The facility also manufactures the Ilyushin Il-103 and Interavia I-1L piston singles, MAI-890 ultralights and Sukhoi Su-29/31 high-performance aerobatic aircraft.
Source: Flight International
