Kamov Ka-25

"Kamov Ka-25

Country of origin: Russia

Type: Shipborne ASW & multirole helicopter

Powerplants: Ka-25PL - Two 670kW (900shp) Glushenkov (OMKB Mars) GTD-31F turboshafts,
driving two three-blade coaxial rotors.

Performance: Ka-25PL - Max speed 209km/h (1 13kt), normal cruising speed 193km/h (104kt). Service ceiling 11,000ft.
Range with standard fuel 400km (217nm), range with external tanks 650km (350nm).

Weights: Ka-25PL - Empty 4765kg (10,505lb), max takeoff 7500kg (16,535lb).

Dimensions: Ka-25PL - Rotor diameter (each) 15.74m (51ft 8in), fuselage length 9.75m (32ft 0in), height to top of rotor
head 5.37m (17ft 8in). Rotor disc area (each) 194.6M2 (2095sq ft).

Accommodation: Pilot and copilot side by side. Main cabin can carry up to 12 passengers on folding seats when so
equipped.

Armament. Some aircraft equipped with internal weapons bay which can contain two torpedoes or nuclear or conventional
depth charges.

Operators. India, Russia, Syria, Vietnam, Yugoslavia.

.
History: The Kamov Ka-25 was built in large numbers for the Soviet navy and export customers as a ship based ASW and
utility helicopter, but it is progressively being replaced by the Ka-32.

The Ka-25 was the end result of a 1957 Soviet navy requirement for a shipborne anti submarine warfare helicopter. In
response Kamov developed the Ka-20 which flew for the first time during 1960. The Ka-20 was displayed in the 1961
Soviet Aviation Day flypast at Tushino carrying two mock air-to-surface missiles. The Ka-20 formed the basis for the
production Ka-25 (NATO name 'Hormone'), 460 or so production aircraft being delivered between 1966 and 1975. In the
Soviet navy the Ka-25 replaced the Mil Mi-4 as the service's primary shipborne helicopter.

The most prominent design feature of the Ka-25 is Kamov's trademark counter rotating coaxial main rotors, which do away
with the need for a tail rotor, and means the tail can be kept short and thus saving space, an important consideration for
naval operations. Other features include a search radar mounted beneath the nose, a downward looking electro optical
sensor in the tailboom, and a MAD which can be mounted either in the fuselage or tail. The Ka-25 is usually flown
unarmed, but can be fitted with an underfuselage weapons bay that can carry torpedoes and mines.

Up to 25 separate Ka-25 variants may have been built, major identified variants include the Ka-25PL 'Hormone-A', the Ka-
25Ts 'Hormone-13', the Ka-25PS 'Hormone-C', and the Ka-25BShZ. The Ka-25BSh is the primary ASW variant and has
largely been replaced in Russian service by the Ka-27. The Ka-25Ts was used for target acquisition and mid course
guidance for ship launched missiles, with most now retired. The Ka-24PS is a dedicated search and rescue aircraft. It is
stripped of all ASW equipment and can also be used for troop transport (carrying up to 12 passengers), vertrep and utility
transport. Many Ka-25PSs were fitted with a searchlight and a rescue winch. The Ka-25BShZ was developed to tow
minesweeping gear."

(source: International Directory of Military Aircraft 1998-1999)