Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

Contributor

Mark Huber

The new Kamov Ka-32A11M recently made its first flight at the Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise (KAPE) in Bashkortostan, Russia. Certification of the coaxial helicopter is expected in 2023.

 


Tailored for firefighting operations, the helicopter features new night vision goggle-compatible digital avionics, more powerful VK-2500PS-02 engines, and a new fire extinguishing system. Russian Helicopters said the new engines will significantly improve hot-and-high performance and are expected to increase useful load by up to 3,257 pounds.&nbsp;

 


The new firefighting system aboard the aircraft features a tank that holds up to four tons of water segmented into four compartments. A digitally-controlled, patented flap system allows the tank's flaps to be opened in pairs or alternately, as well as adjusting the opening angles of the flaps to increase water discharge time.&nbsp;The system can automatically draw four tons of water in 60 seconds and add up to 105 gallons of foam agent. It is adapted for the use of a water cannon and is electrically heated, allowing use in winter temperatures as low as -4 degrees Fahrenheit.&nbsp;

 


KAPE has manufactured more than 240 Ka-32-series helicopters that are now in service in 30 countries worldwide.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Latest Ka-32 Makes First Flight

Updated Russian coaxial helicopter aimed at firefighting market. 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charlotte Bailey

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

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News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

Japan Orders Its First H160 for Emergency Response

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations 

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New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

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Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations

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Lightweight white-phosphor NVG have a 94-degree field of view

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European Helicopter Association and Vertical Aviation International extended their alliance

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Armed forces will be able to outfit Black Hawks with new armament and equipment.

Sikorsky’s S-97 Raider Points to a New Level of Performance for Future Helicopters

Originally developed for the U.S. military, X2 technology is in search of a new customer.

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