Rotorcraft
Kamov’s Ka-65 Minoga Breaks Cover
A prototype or full-scale mockup of the Russian navy's new Ka-65 shipborne helicopter is in assembly.

A photo of either a full-scale mockup or the first prototype of the Ka-65 Minoga next-generation deck helicopter being assembled at the Kamov design bureau’s workshop surfaced on Russian internet military forums earlier in June. The Minoga appears to be similar in size to the Mil Mi-38, with the biggest difference being Kamov’s characteristic coaxial rotor layout with the possible addition of a pusher propeller at the tail.

The semi-assembled fuselage appears with Russian naval aviation titling and a naval flag. The presence of Ka-52 and Ka-226 helicopters helps provide an assessment of its dimensions. The Minoga will have the same powerplant as the Mi-38, comprising two Klimov TV7-117 turboshafts that each develop 3,000 shp at takeoff and 3,750 shp at emergency power.