The first flight of the Ka-60 medium battlefield utility helicopter prototype, now fitted with its five-blade main rotor, is due within the next two weeks, according to Kamov. The Russian company claims that the main rotor RPM can be optimised to reduce noise levels when operating over hostile territory. The rotor control rods are designed to withstand hits from 12.7mm rounds, and the composite main rotor blades can survive direct hits by 23mm rounds, says Kamov, which developed the Ka-60 in response to a Russian army requirement. No orders have yet been placed.
Source: Flight International
