Kamov Ka-126

Industria Aeronautică Română (IAR)

Industry	Aerospace manufacturing
Headquarters	Romania
Products	Kamov Ka-126 (under license)

The Kamov Ka-126 (NATO reporting name: Hoodlum) is a Soviet-designed light utility helicopter featuring Coaxial rotors configuration. It is a derivative of the Ka-26, distinguished by the removal of engine pods from its stub wings and the integration of a single TVO-100 turboshaft engine mounted atop the fuselage, alongside redesigned rotor blades and an updated fuel system.

Development

The project commenced in 1984 following a Romanian-Soviet governmental agreement targeting collaboration in aeronautical manufacturing, specifically to produce a utility helicopter based on the Kamov Ka-26. In October 1985, a formal protocol was signed to cooperate on producing the single-engine turbine-powered Ka-126. By 1986, Industria Aeronautică Română (IAR) had initiated preparations for production. Initial prototypes featured two small turboshaft engines above the cabin; however, the design later shifted to utilize a single turboshaft. A ground test model was completed in early 1986. The first flight of the IAR-built Ka-126, equipped with a TV100 engine supplied by Turbomecanica București and a VR126 main gearbox manufactured by I. Avioane Bacău (now Aerostar), took place on 22 December 1988. Production ceased after manufacturing 17 units, and the program was ultimately discontinued post-1991.

A twin-engine version was subsequently developed as the Kamov Ka-226.

Design

The Ka-126’s airframe includes a fixed, bubble-shaped cockpit accommodating both pilot and co-pilot, paired with a detachable modular box that can be configured for various roles such as medical evacuation, passenger transport, or agricultural spraying. This modular design allows operation both with and without the box fitted, enhancing operational versatility.

Variants

File:Kamov Ka-226 MAKS 2005.jpg

Kamov Ka-226

Ka-126 Hoodlum-B

A light utility helicopter designed for one or two crew members, equipped with a 720-shp (537-kW) Omsk TVO-100 turboshaft engine developed by Glushenkov. This model first took flight in 1986 and was produced under license by IAR in Romania. A total of 2 prototypes and 15 production units were manufactured.

Ka-128

A single prototype powered by a 722-shp (538-kW) Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 turboshaft engine.

Kamov Ka-226

Features twin 450-shp (335-kW) Rolls-Royce 250-C20R/2 turboshaft engines.

Kamov V-60

The V-60 was an intended light armed escort helicopter from Kamov, weighing approximately 3500 kg and derived from the civil Ka-126 platform. Only a scale model of the V-60 survives, which depicts it armed solely with four missiles. This project was discontinued during the 1980s and is frequently mistaken as an early iteration of the Ka-60. Notably, the initial prototype and pre-production versions of the Ka-60 were designated V-62.

References

• Lambert, Mark. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1993–94. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Data Division, 1993. ISBN 0-7106-1066-1.
• R. Simpson Airlife's Helicopter and Rotorcraft, 1998.