Ka-18

The Ka‑18 is a single‑seat, light helicopter developed by the Soviet design bureau Kamov in the early 1950s. Responding to the Soviet Air Force’s demand for a compact, low‑cost trainer and liaison machine, Kamov engineers adapted the successful Ka‑10 platform, incorporating a more powerful Ivchenko AI‑14V radial engine and an enlarged cabin to improve visibility and payload. First flown on 28 June 1955, the Ka‑18 entered limited production the following year, with only a handful of units built for evaluation and training duties at several air‑force schools.

Key features of the Ka‑18 include its distinctive coaxial rotor system, a hallmark of Kamov designs, which eliminates the need for a tail rotor, reduces overall length, and enhances maneuverability in confined spaces. The aircraft’s simple fixed‑gear undercarriage, lightweight airframe, and straightforward control layout made it ideal for pilot instruction and short‑range reconnaissance. Although it never achieved mass adoption, the Ka‑18 served as an important stepping stone in Kamov’s rotor‑craft evolution, informing later successful models such as the Ka‑26 and Ka‑50. Its legacy lies in demonstrating the practical advantages of coaxial rotors for small helicopters and influencing Soviet helicopter training doctrine throughout the Cold War.

Kamov

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification