Gorshkov pushes beyond the KA-25

Exercises and limited modernization potential had exposed the KA-25 as inadequate for the Soviet Navy's next needs. Admiral Sergey Gorshkov pushed Kamov toward a replacement during a tenure that ran from January 1956 to December 1985. In this interpretation, his survival in office and influence behind the scenes cast doubt on claims that he had little power. An uncertain account says he received a reassuring KA-25 briefing shortly before personally seeing its weaknesses on exercise. Subordinates had an incentive to reassure senior commanders to protect their positions, so the story is treated as plausible rather than established. Gorshkov's response is described as finding ways to express displeasure while retaining capable specialists. Resolution 231-86 in 1972 ordered the Kamov bureau to develop the KA-252 heavy shipborne ASW helicopter, the direct starting point for the KA-27 family. A mock-up commission met in July 1973, while Gorshkov continued complaining about the pace of development.