The KA-27 looks older than its service era, yet its requirements were exacting. It had to find and destroy submarines as deep as 500 metres, more than 200 kilometres from home port, by day or night and in sea state 5. The Swordfish comparison captures the appeal of a machine whose dated appearance conceals practical competence. Ruggedness and shipboard performance mattered more here than sleek looks.
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KA-27 Helix as a rugged shipborne ASW answer
Despite its dated looks, the Soviet KA-27 Helix was built for long-range submarine hunting in rough weather.