Kazan Helicopters used Moscow’s MAKS air show to unveil a prototype of a twin-seat, armed version of its Ansat six-seat civilian helicopter. Dubbed the -2RT, the reconnaissance and target designation aircraft was designed under a company-funded armed reconnaissance helicopter initiative.
The Ansat-2RT retains the civilian aircraft’s Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207K engines and is equipped with four stub wing mounted pylons, enabling it to carry up to four Igla air-to-air missiles and two 58mm unguided rocket launchers.
The glass cockpit-equipped aircraft also carries a semi-recessed 12.7mm machine gun on its starboard side, two UV-26 flare dispensers and a TOES-521 gyro-stabilised sensor with a laser rangefinder designator and forward-looking infrared and TV sensors.
Kazan’s Ansat-2RT prototype made its debut flight in mid-July and has a maximum speed of 160kt (300km/h) and a range of up to 650km (350nm). The company says the type is primarily intended for export and that South Korea, which already operates five Ansats for police and forestry service use, is eyed as a potential launch customer.
VLADIMIR KARNOZOV/MOSCOW
Source: Flight International
