KA-27 Helix – PDF

The Kamov Ka-27 “Helix” was developed during the 1970s as a more capable successor to the Ka-25 Hormone. Designed by the Kamov design bureau specifically for naval operations, the Ka-27 retained Kamov’s distinctive coaxial, counter-rotating rotor system, eliminating the need for a tail rotor and producing a compact aircraft particularly well suited to shipboard use. Despite occupying roughly the same shipboard footprint as its predecessor, the Ka-27 offered substantially improved performance, payload, sensors, and operational capabilities.

Entering Soviet Naval Aviation service in the early 1980s, the Ka-27PL became primarily an anti-submarine warfare helicopter. Equipped with radar, sonar, sonobuoys, and other detection equipment, it could search for and track submarines before attacking them with torpedoes or depth charges. Ka-27s operated from Soviet cruisers, destroyers, frigates, and aircraft-carrying ships, greatly extending the area in which a naval formation could search for NATO submarines.

The Helix family was adapted to numerous additional missions. The Ka-27PS provided search-and-rescue capability, while related Ka-29 helicopters were developed for naval transport and assault operations. Export versions, generally designated Ka-28, served with several foreign navies, including those of India and China. The helicopter’s versatility allowed the basic design to perform anti-submarine warfare, maritime patrol, search and rescue, transport, and other shipboard missions.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Ka-27 remained an important part of Russian Naval Aviation and continued operating from Russian warships into the 21st century. Modernization programs have extended the usefulness of the design with improved sensors and mission systems. Its long service life and widespread employment make the NATO-designated “Helix” one of the most important Soviet and Russian naval helicopters of the late Cold War and post-Cold War periods.

Service Branch: Soviet Naval Aviation / Russian Naval Aviation
Soviet/Russian Service: 1981–Present
Number Built: 260+

What’s Included:

• 12 1.5” square counter images
• 24 1” square counter images
• 35 .75” square counter images
• 40 .625” square counter images
• Numbered Images to assist with game organization and tracking
• Printable PDF format for personal gaming use

Each image size is contained on a ½ sheet.

• Enables users to save paper and print 2 types of aircraft on the same page.
• Print one set of aircraft images then reverse the page in the printer and print a second type of your choice on the same page.