KVI AVK-72

AVK-72
AVK-72E design drawing
Role	Attack helicopter with transport capabilities
National origin	Khyragus
Manufacturer	KVI Aerospace
Designer	KVI Aerospace
First flight	6 October 1969
Introduction	1972
Status	In service
Primary user	Khyragusian Army Khyragusian Navy
Produced	1969–present
Number built	1,856

The AVK-72 is a Khyragusian twin-turboshaft helicopter gunship with a coaxial rotor system. It is designed to serve as a combination attack helicopter and transport helicopter capable of carrying 10 troops. It is heavily armed with a 30mm autocannon and eight hardpoints on the stub wing pylons. The KVI-74 is well-protected from a variety of threats, and has significant systems redundancy.

Development of the AVK-72 began in 1965 with the initiation Khyragusian Army's development program requesting a tactical utility helicopter. The program's requirements were later revised to include ground attack capabilities as well. In 1972, the design of the AVK-72 was finalized and approved by the Khyragusian Army for mass production.

Design

Overview

The AVK-72 is equipped with two, three-bladed rotors in a coaxial rotor system. It is powered by two side mounted Sevir Heavy Industries GMTAE-65R turboshaft engines with the exhausts on either side of the helicopter. The stub wings provide a total of 8 pylons which can mount a variety of weapons systems or external fuel tanks. The two man crew is seated tandem with the pilot behind the gunner. Either of crew members can operate the weapons system or the flight controls. The passenger compartment can carry 10 combat ready soldiers and is accessible by doors on either side of the fuselage or a loading ramp at the rear.

The AVK-72 series is capable of performing a wide array of missions, including anti-tank and close air support, tactical transport of troops and equipment, and aeromedical evacuation. The AVK-72E and later variants provide the ability to operate during night and in all weather conditions. The AVK-72 is also capable of naval and operations, and is able to operate from the decks of amphibious warfare ships and other ships.

Avionics and Armaments

Forward cockpit of an AVK-72E

Survivability

The AVK-72 is heavily protected. The fuselage and rotors are capable of withstanding 12.7 mm (0.50 in) rounds from all angles. The AVK-72 is capable of flying with one of its two engines disabled. It is equipped with a self-sealing fuel tank to provide enhanced ballistics protection. Later models, starting with the AVK-72E, utilize composite materials and additional armor that provide protection from 23 mm (0.91 in) cannon rounds for the rotors, engine, cockpit, and troop compartment. The composite materials also reduce the radar and infrared signature of the aircraft. Protection against anti-aircraft missiles is provided by various radar and laser warning systems and a missile launch and approach detection system. Countermeasure systems, such as flares and chaff dispensers are also equipped.

The cockpit and crew compartments are equipped with an overpressure system for protection against nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons. The AVK-72 is also hardened against electromagnetic pulses.

--Crashworthiness and redundant electronics

Variants

AVK-72A

Testing prototype

AVK-72U

Main production model, retired now

AVK-72E

Introduced in 1995, glass cockpit, more sensors, composite fuselage components

AVK-72I

Introduced in 2009, more technology, mildly better

Specifications (AVK-72E)

General characteristics

• Crew: 2 (pilot and co-pilot/gunner)
• Capacity: 10 troops / 6 stretchers
• Length: 19.5 m (64 ft 0 in)
• Wingspan: 9.6 m (31 ft 6 in) stub wings
• Height: 4.6 m (15 ft 1 in)
• Empty weight: 8,500 kg (18,739 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 12,000 kg (26,455 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Sevir Heavy Industries GMTAE-65R turboshaft engines, 1,800 kW (2,400 shp) each
• Main rotor diameter: 2× 17 m (55 ft 9 in)
• Main rotor area: 387.2 m² (4,168 sq ft) contra-rotating 3-bladed main rotors

Performance

• Maximum speed: 365 km/h (227 mph; 197 kn)
• Cruise speed: 280 km/h (174 mph; 151 kn)
• Range: 500 km (311 mi; 270 nmi) without external fuel stores
• Service ceiling: 5,500 m (18,000 ft)

Armament

• Guns:
  
  • 1× 30 mm (1.18 in) cannon in chin turret, with up to 800 rounds
  • 3× pintle mounts (2 on side doors and 1 on rear loading ramp), generally 7.62 mm (0.300 in) MTG-54 machine guns

The AVK-72 is equipped with 4 hardpoints underneath the stub wings, 2 hardpoints on the wingtips, and 2 hardpoints above the stub wings.

• Lower hardpoints:
  • 22x 70 mm (2.75 in) Hydra 70 unguided rockets in a pod or
  • 22x 70 mm (2.75 in) APKWS guided rockets in a pod or
  • 4x AGM-114 Hellfire laser-guided missiles or
  • 4x PARS 3 LR fire-and-forget missiles or
  • 2x Air-to-Air Stinger air-to-air missiles or
  • 1x 250kg (550 lbs) guided or unguided bomb
• Upper and wingtip hardpoints:
  • 2x Air-to-Air Stinger air-to-air missiles or
  • 2x AGM-114 Hellfire laser-guided missiles or
  • 2x PARS 3 LR fire-and-forget missiles