The Ka-226T is the world’s first modular helicopter created entirely using digital technologies, according to Russian Helicopters, part of the Rostec State Corporation.

The light helicopter was a pilot project on the creation and production of helicopters through information technology. Digital manufacturing will greatly simplify future modifications as well as upgrades and design changes, Russian Helicopters says. All new models and modifications of existing helicopters will be created on the same principle.

The Ka-226T was developed without the use of any paper media. The company says this allowed it to slash risks by half as well as reducing the cost of the helicopter’s initial development and future upgrades.

Andrey Boginsky, General Director, Russian Helicopters, said: “Project Ka-226T is the first experience for holding enterprises to create a new helicopter modification by using only software. The digitalisation has reduced the machine development time, and, through the creation of 3D models, has improved accuracy of the component parts and units of the helicopter development. That has helped to create a modern and high quality machine, cumulative performance and other characteristics of which substantially superior to Western counterparts.”

“The digitalisation has reduced the machine development time, and, through the creation of 3D models, has improved accuracy of the component parts and units of the helicopter development. ”

By Andrey Boginsky, General Director, Russian Helicopters