OREANDA-NEWS. The first prototype (OP-1) of the medium multirole Ka-62 helicopter took off at Russian Helicopters’ Progress Arsenyev Aviation Company (part of State Corporation Rostec) on April 28.  The lift in a hover mode was part of the factory flight testing and was completed successfully.

The OP-1 Ka-62 was launched to evaluate its overall performance and to test its main power supply systems and avionics.  The helicopter was operated by test pilots from the Kamov Design Bureau, which is the main developer of the Ka-62. Previously, the rotorcraft has successfully passed a series of tests in a ground-based racing mode.

"This is a very significant event for the Russian Helicopters holding company and a due result of our work", - said the holding company’s CEO Alexander Mikheev. - "The new Ka-62 will complement the civilian versions of the honoured and most produced helicopter in the world - Mi-8/17, and it will fill a high demand niche in the class of helicopters with a 6-7 ton take-off weight."

The Ka-62 is designed for a wide range of tasks. Its main purposes include transporting passengers, rescue operations, and use in the oil and gas sector. With a spacious and comfortable cabin, this helicopter is ideal for corporate travel. The Ka-62’s high power to weight ratio allows to operate it in a wide range of altitudes. The Ka-62 can be used in hot climates and above water.

Russian Helicopters, (part of State Corporation Rostec), is one of the global leaders in helicopter production and the only helicopter design and production powerhouse in Russia. Russian Helicopters was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Moscow. The company comprises five helicopter production facilities, two design bureaus, a spare parts production and repair facility, as well as an aftersale service branch responsible for maintenance and repair in Russia and all over the world. Its helicopters are popular among Russian ministries and state authorities (Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Emergency Control Ministry), operators (Gazpromavia, UTair), major Russian corporations. In 2014 its IFRS revenues increased 22,8% to RUB 169,8 billion. Deliveries reached 271 helicopters.

State Corporation Rostec is a Russian corporation founded in 2007 for the purpose of promoting the development, production and export of hi-tech civilian and military industry products. It comprises 700 organisations, nine of which have now been formed as holding companies of the military-industrial complex, five of them are involved in civil industries and 22 are directly controlled. Rostec’s portfolio includes recognised brands such as Avtovaz, Kamaz, Russian Helicopters, and VSMPO-AVISMA. Rostec’s organisations are located in 60 constituent entities of the Russian Federation and supply their products to the markets of more than 70 countries. The revenue of Rostec in 2014 amounted to RUB 964.5 billion. The tax deductions into the treasuries at all levels exceeded RUB 147.8 billion.