The Ka-29TB is a special variant of the Kamov Ka-27 family of military helicopters
The Ka-29 is classified as a naval assault transport helicopter
It was specially designed to support naval amphibious operations and has a significantly modified airframe
Kamov Ka-29 is currently in service in Russia and Ukraine
Kamov Ka-29 was born in the 1970s, the first flight was made in 1976
Mass production took place between 1984 and the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991
The Ka-29 helicopters were designed for naval forces to provide fire support to the amphibious forces
It was developed entirely on the basis of the Ka-27PL submarine hunting helicopter
with some upgrades in weapon capacity, equipped with additional sensors
The Ka-29TB was initially assumed to be the Ka-27B
Ka-29 has an empty weight of 5.52 tons, maximum takeoff weight of 12.6 tons
It is 11.3m in length, 5.4m in height, and 15.9m in main rotor diameter
Compared with the original Ka-27, the Ka-29 has a completely new fuselage, which is extended to the front
The cockpit is modified to accommodate a crew of three sitting side by side
One of these crew members acts as a gunner.
Additionally, the Ka-27's two-piece curved windshield has given way to a five-piece unit
Behind the cockpit is a passenger cabin, accommodating up to 16 fully equipped soldiers
In the role of medical evacuation, it can carry 4 stretchers, 7 seated casualties and medical attendants
In addition, it can carry an external load with a maximum weight of 4 tons
The large sensor cluster located under the nose of the Ka-27 was removed
replaced by the photo-electric sensor and anti-tank missile controller
The airframe of the helicopter is supplemented with 2 stub wings and 4 weapon hard points.
The Ka-29 retains the uniqueness of the Kamov family - it has coaxial rotors, removing the need for a tail rotor
The elimination of the tail rotor is a priceless attribute when considering onboard storage for a navy warship
Additionally, the stout fuselage design and tri-fin tail section are clear indicators of a Kamov design
The Ka-29 is powered by two Klimov TV3-117V turboshaft engines, with a capacity of 2,190 hp each
The helicopter can reach a top speed of 250 km/h, a range of 460km
External hard points allow the Ka-29 to carry up to eight 9M114 guided anti-tank missiles, with a range of 400-5,000 meters
The Ka-29 can also carry pods with unguided 57 mm or 80 mm rockets, bombs, submunition dispensers and even torpedoes
It can also carry pods with 23 mm cannon and 250 rounds of ammunition each
There is provision for a 30 mm cannon, mounted above port outriger with 250 round ammunition feed from the cabin
These weapons are used to support seaborne assault troops and to soften up enemy defenses
In general, the firepower of the Ka-29 is not inferior to the other models of the army's attack helicopters
It can wipe out tanks, armored vehicles, and destroy enemy fortifications on the coast
According to the report, about 59 Ka-29 helicopters have been produced
Currently in service with the Russian Navy (about 47) and the Ukrainian Navy (up to 12 helicopters).