The VK-650 engine saved the Ka-226T helicopter project.

The first prototype of the upgraded Ka-226T helicopter (tail number 226), equipped with two Russian-made VK-650V engines, has completed its first test flight at the airfield of the Mil and Kamov National Helicopter Center in Tomilino, near Moscow, marking a crucial stage of the project.

Previous prototype Ka-226T helicopters were equipped with two French-made Safran Arrius 2G1 engines. Under import substitution policy, this modernized version is now being tested with two new VK-650V engines developed by UEC-Klimov, as well as entirely Russian-made onboard electronics.

The VK-650V engine is expected to power all three types of light helicopters that will replace imported ones: the Ka-226V, the Ansat-M, and the Mi-34M1 (the latter being a single-engine helicopter).

The United Engine Manufacturing Corporation (UEC) announced in June 2024 that it had delivered the first VK-650V engine prototypes to Russian Helicopters for testing on all three types of modernized helicopters.

The first Ansat-M prototype with two VK-650V engines completed its first test flight at the Kazan Helicopter Plant airfield on September 2, 2025.

Meanwhile, the first Mi-34M1 prototype, equipped with the VK-650V engine, completed its first test flight at Tomilino on December 25, 2025.

The VK-650 engine will be fitted to a range of Russian light helicopters.

The VK-650V engine (650 hp takeoff power, 750 hp emergency power) was developed at UEC-Klimov in St. Petersburg over a long period of time.

Despite virtually no air trials, the VK-650V engine received official type approval on December 28, 2024, for clear political reasons, with an initial operational lifespan of only 74 hours.

The engine's operating modes were also severely restricted; for example, the continuous "extended" operating time at 590 horsepower (434kW) was limited to 20 minutes (ICAO requirement is 60 minutes), and significant restrictions were placed on turbine temperature as well as ambient air temperature.

The engine's maximum continuous operating power is stated as 460 horsepower (338kW), and the certified dry weight of the device is 129.5kg.

Therefore, bringing the VK-650V engine and its gearbox back to the minimum operating conditions as "certified" will take several more years. Mass production of the VK-650V is currently planned for 2027 in collaboration with UEC-Klimov and UEC-Salut.

In 2025, UEC-Salut announced that it had developed and deployed the necessary technologies to begin mass production of key engine components, and by October 1, 2025, it declared itself "ready to enter mass production."

According to bmpd

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/dong-co-vk-650-da-cuu-du-an-truc-thang-ka-226t-post779060.html