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| Kamov Ka-31 Helix |
Militarymedia.net | The Ka-31 airborne early warning helicopter is based on the basic Ka-29TB. Initially this helicopter was known as the Ka-29RLD (Radiolokatsyonnogo Dozora, or radar picket helicopter). This type of AEW was developed during the 1980s and first flew in 1988. This was first seen during trials aboard the aircraft carrier Kuznetsov. Due to funding problems and political turmoil, caused by the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Ka-31 was officially adopted only in 1995. However, these helicopters were fielded by the Russian Navy in very small numbers. These helicopters are exported in small quantities to China (minimum 5 units) and India (9 units). Indian helicopters were delivered between 2003-2005. In 2013 it was revealed that the Chinese Navy was operating the Ka-31. China acquired at least 5 of these helicopters.
The main mission of the Ka-31 is the long-range detection of air and sea threats. These helicopters can track targets on the horizon much larger than the ship's radar. That makes it an important settlement for the naval task force, whose ships are too small to operate carrier-borne early warning aircraft. In the Russian Navy, the Ka-31 is mainly used on the Kuznetsov aircraft carrier and the Sovremeny and Udaloy class destroyers.
The four landing gear units are retractable, providing room for movement of the E-801E Oko (eye) surveillance radar antenna, which is a large rectangular planar array that lays flat beneath the fuselage when not active.
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| Kamov Ka-31 Helix |
The Ka-31 airborne early warning helicopter radar has a 360° range and can spot aircraft-sized targets from a distance of 150 km. Surface ships are visible from a distance of 100 - 200 km. The radar can track 30-40 targets simultaneously. The helicopter has a datalink to transfer target tracking data to the command post. The Ka-31 is equipped with GPS and a digital terrain mapping system.
In 1999 the Indian Navy ordered four such helicopters, with five more in 2001. The first force entered service with the Indian Navy in 2003 and the second in 2004-2005. India plans to procure more of these helicopters from Russia. These airborne early warning helicopters are deployed on the carrier Viraat and the Talwar-class guided missile frigates. Some of them operate from ground bases.
The Ka-31 helicopter has also been exported to China. It is possible that these aerial early warning helicopters were used on the aircraft carrier Liaoning.
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| Kamov Ka-31 Helix |
