Kamov Ka-15

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The Kamov Ka-15 (NATO reporting name HenTemplate:Sfn) was a Soviet two-seat utility helicopter with coaxial rotors, which first flew on Template:Cnspan It was the world's first mass-produced coaxial helicopter. State acceptance trials were completed in 1955, and the helicopter entered production the following year at aircraft factory No. 99 in Ulan-Ude.Template:Cn It was a precursor to the Ka-18 and was fitted with the M-14 engine (helicopter version). It was primarily used for bush patrol, agricultural purposes and fishery control.

Design and developmentEdit

In 1950, after evaluating the single-seat Kamov Ka-10, Soviet Naval Aviation developed a requirement for a larger and more capable two-seat helicopter with an enclosed cabin, but keeping the coaxial rotor layout of the Ka-10.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn The first prototype of the resulting design, the Kamov Ka-15, entered flight testing in early 1952.Template:Sfn

While the Ka-10 was based around an open steel tube framework, the Ka-15 had a more conventional fuselage with a steel-tube structure, with the forward fuselage covered by plywood and the aft fuselage by stressed-skin duralumin. The crew of two sat side-by-side in an enclosed, and extensively glazed cockpit, with the pilot sitting on the left side of the cockpit, and access by sliding doors on either side of the cockpit. A Template:Convert Ivchenko AI-14V radial engine was mounted behind the cockpit, and drove the three-bladed coaxial rotors. A twin tail was mounted above the rear fuselage. The aircraft had a fixed undercarriage, with two main wheels and two castoring nosewheels, with a tailskid mounted under the rear fuselage.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn Template:Sfn

Operational historyEdit

The Ka-15 entered service with Soviet Naval Aviation in about 1955, carrying out reconnaissance flights from icebreakers as well as liaison and training duties. The type was tested with a dipping sonar, but could not carry the equipment needed to be effective in an anti-submarine role.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn From 1958, a civil version, the Ka-15M, entered service with Aeroflot. Roles included crop spraying, (with Kamov claiming that the Ka-15 was more efficient than the competing Mil Mi-1), patrolling power lines and pipelines, carrying airmail, and air ambulance.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn Template:Sfn