Item 1009

the previous model number, the ka52, first flew in 1997. the next model number, the ka60, first flew in 1998. the ka56 should be somewhere in between?

pretty modern indeed.

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the ka56 was designed by a Russian company Kamov It was intended to be fired from a sub through a 533mm torpedo tube. Kamov has a web site www.kamov.ru There is more info at www.aviation.ru/kamov on the ka56.The company also built autogyros in the 40s

GyroBeast or anyone

Do you know where there is more information on the following Russian helicopter?

It is the Kamov ka56 and it was probably built in 1997 or 1998. It was intended to be fired from a sub through a 533mm torpedo tube.

I cannot say much about it:
Kamov Ka-56 light folding single-place helicopter, current (by designer) codename "Osa" (means "the wasp") was built as a static display only to the moment. From the other source it was hovered a little some 3-5 years ago.
Since I'm not a fond of questionable devices I wasn't interested in it much - after some years of experience with Mini-500s, Rotorways and Safari I'm almost sure that there are too much problems with lightweight helos. As for me I prefer gyroplane now when speaking of 1-2 place rotorcraft. R44 and Shweitz are (in terms of weight) first light helicopters which are flown suitable for general operation.
Anyway if you have any particular question on Ka-56 I can simply make a call to Kamov Company to get (probably) answers. Feel free - that's not a problem.
Here are a couple of bad pics of "Osa":
packed in container:

GyroBeast

Thanks for the additional information.

If it is in production and it weighs less than 254 lbs ( 115 kg), it might be a viable product for the US Ultralight market.

Alex