Lamprey: Russia to Create Prototype of Advanced Shipborne Helicopter After 2020

The main tactical and technical, economic and operational parameters of the Lamprey helicopter have been determined.

ZHUHAI (China), (Sputnik) — Russia will create after 2020 the first experimental prototype of an advanced shipborne anti-submarine helicopter, which is designed to replace the Ka-27s, Igor Chechikov, the deputy CEO of the Russian Helicopters holding for Aftersales Service, said.

"The work on the new helicopter, codenamed the Lamprey, is underway. The technical shape of the machine has been coordinated and its main tactical and technical, economic and operational parameters have been determined. The prototype of the helicopter is expected to be ready after 2020," Chechikov told RIA Novosti in an interview.

Holding's Deputy CEO for Production and Innovations Andrei Shibitov said earlier that the company was developing a shipborne helicopter designed for navy anti-submarine warfare missions and set to shift the existing Ka-27.

The new helicopter is expected to be put into a mass production in about 10 years, according to a Russian Helicopters holding high-ranking executive.