Aircraft / Utility helicopters / Ka-25 Hormone
Ka-25 Hormone
General Facts
- TYPE
Naval helicopter - ORIGIN
USSR - NICKNAMES
Hormone (NATO reporting name)
Ka-25PL (incorrect denomination for Ka-25BSh) - DESIGNED
1957 - 1964 - DESIGNER
Kamov - PRODUCTION
1965 - 1977 - PRODUCERS
USSR - Kamov - QUANTITY
Unknown - UNIT COST
Unknown - CHARACTERISTICS
Limited armament
Introduction
The Ka-25 is a naval helicopter of Soviet origin. Development started in 1957 and it was accepted for service in 1966. The most numerous version was the anti-submarine warfare variant. It has the NATO designation Hormone.
Layout
The Ka-25 is made out of aluminum and has the cockpit in the front and a crew compartment in the middle. A single sliding door is mounted on the left side. The engines are mounted on top next to the rotor hub. As the Ka-25 uses coaxial rotors there is no need for a tail rotor. The landing gear is not retractable.
Firepower
Normally the Ka-25 Hormone is unarmed. In the anti-submarine role a single torpedo can be carried in a container that can be attached to the belly.
Avionics
In the anti-submarine role the Ka-25 is fitted with an undernose radome, a dipping sonar, an downward looking sensor in the tail and a wide array of avionics and navigation systems. Other versions carry a simpler avionics package.
Mobility
The Ka-25 is fitted with two Glushenkov Mars turboshafts rated at 900 shaft horse power. The maximum speed is over 200 km/h at optimum altitude. The ferry range is 400 km on internal fuel.
Users
The main user of the Ka-25 was the Russian navy. It was also exported to several Russian allies. In Russian service it has been supplemented by the newer and more capable Ka-27.
Anti-submarine warfare
The Ka-25BSh is the original version of the Ka-25 family and has the NATO reporting name Hormone-A. Its main role is anti-submarine warfare. It is fitted with an undernose radome, a dipping sonar, an downward looking sensor in the tail and a wide array of avionics and navigation systems. Armament was not standard but could be carried in an external underbelly box. Sonobuoys and smoke-floats can be attached to the sides of the fuselage
- Specifications:
- Ka-25BSh
Over the horizon targeting
The Ka-25K was used in the mid Cold War era for over the horizon targeting and mid course guidance of SS-N-3 Shaddock and SS-N-12 Sandbox missiles. It has the NATO reporting name Hormone-B. The Ka-25K has a larger, bulbous radome and a datalink pod at the rear. The landing gear can be retracted to remove it from the scanning pattern. The Ka-25K was phased out without replacement and modern missiles do not require mid course guidance.
- Specifications:
- Ka-25K
Search and rescue
The Ka-25PS is a search and rescue variant with the NATO reporting name Hormone-C. Most, if not all, are converted from redundant Ka-25BSh. The Ka-25PS is stripped from all ASW equipment, except for the undernose radar. A hoist and flood lights have been fitted.
- Specifications:
- Ka-25PS