The Kamov Ka-126 (NATO reporting name Hoodlum) is a Soviet light utility helicopter with co-axial rotors.Evolved from Ka-26 with engine pods removed from stub wings, fitted with one TVO-100 turboshaft engine positioned on top of fuselage, modified rotor blades, new fuel system.
Development began in 1984 with the signing of governmental Romanian-Soviet agreement in the field of aeronautical construction for cooperation in manufacturing a utility helicopter derived from Kamov Ka-26 helicopter. In October 1985 the signing of the collaboration protocol for the manufacturing of the single engine turbine powered KA 126 helicopter.In 1986 Industria Aeronautică Română (IAR) started the helicopter manufacturing preparation.Early mockups had two small turboshafts above cabin; single turboshaft adopted subsequently; ground test vehicle completed early 1986; On 22 December 1988 was maiden flight of the IAR Built Ka 126 with TV100 engine produced by Turbomecanica București and VR126 main gear built by I. Avioane Bacău today Aerostar. After building 17 Ka 126 production was stopped and after 1991 the program was cancelled.
A twin engine variant was developed as the Ka-226.
The fuselage of the Ka-126 consists of a fixed, bubble-shaped cockpit containing the pilot and co-pilot, plus a removable, variable box available in medevac, passenger-carrying and cropduster versions. The helicopter can fly with or without the box attached, giving it much flexibility in use.
The V-60 was a projected light (3500 kg) armed escort helicopter from Kamov based on the civil Kamov Ka-126. Only a model of the original V-60 exists. The existing model shows four missiles as its sole armament. The project was abandoned in the 1980s and is often confused to be an early concept of the Ka-60. The initial prototype and pre-series version of the Ka-60 carried another designation, V-62.