Confirmed to Sputnik:
Russia Developing Futuristic Ka-90 Plane-Helicopter Hybrid
Russia Developing Futuristic Ka-90 Plane-Helicopter Hybrid
The Ka-90 is expected to be a hybrid design, flying like a helicopter for takeoff and landing while comparable to an airplane in cruise flight. The aircraft is expected to have a maximum speed of up to 800 kilometers per hour.
© CC BY-SA 4.0/Vitaly V. Kuzmin/Ka-90 concept
"This work is underway."
The head of the Russian Kamov Development Design Bureau has confirmed to a Sputnik correspondent that the company is developing the world's first hybrid helicopter.
Asked whether the company is developing the Ka-90 project, Oleg Zheltov said, "This work is underway."
He specified that the current stage of development includes research on design models and in wind tunnels.
Asked whether the company is developing the Ka-90 project, Oleg Zheltov said, "This work is underway."
He specified that the current stage of development includes research on design models and in wind tunnels.
"We expect that development will soon reach a more practical stage, outlining a preliminary design."
© CC BY-SA 4.0/Vitaly V. Kuzmin/Ka-90 concept
What is the Ka-90?
The Ka-90 concept (formerly known as the Ka-100) was presented for the first time at the HeliRussia-2008 international exhibition in Moscow.
The Ka-90 is expected to become the world's first hybrid aircraft, combining the features of a helicopter and an airplane. According to information from open sources, the aircraft will use a shortened helicopter rotor for takeoff and landing.
Once the aircraft reaches speeds of 400 kilometers per hour, a jet engine turns on and its rotor folds on the back of the aircraft. While flying in "airplane mode" the aircraft is planned to be capable of reaching speeds of up to 700-800 kilometers per hour.
Kamov's general designer, Sergei Mikheev said in 2008 that the Ka-90 project, initially studied back in 1985 and suspended in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union, had been back on the table for consideration.
The Ka-90 is expected to become the world's first hybrid aircraft, combining the features of a helicopter and an airplane. According to information from open sources, the aircraft will use a shortened helicopter rotor for takeoff and landing.
Once the aircraft reaches speeds of 400 kilometers per hour, a jet engine turns on and its rotor folds on the back of the aircraft. While flying in "airplane mode" the aircraft is planned to be capable of reaching speeds of up to 700-800 kilometers per hour.
Kamov's general designer, Sergei Mikheev said in 2008 that the Ka-90 project, initially studied back in 1985 and suspended in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union, had been back on the table for consideration.
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