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.

Variants

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

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.

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.

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