Cold War Helicopters: Kamov 25 ‘Hormone’

Kamov 25, NATO reporting name Hormone, was developed in the late 1950s, first flight in April 1963, production from 1965 to 1977, numerous variants with the main variant being anti-submarine.

February or March 1972, Ka-25 shows-off for the crew of the USS Springfield (CLG-7), Mediterranean Sea, silent U.S. Navy (USN) film:

February or March 1972, silent USN film of Ka-25s flying near the coast of Greece, notice the Soviet cameraman taking pictures of the U.S. cameraman:

Photo via USN, dated October 1985.

Onboard the carrier Kiev(?).

The U.S. Navy says these are two different types of Ka-25, notice that one of the Hormones has its landing gear raised. May 1986.

Anti-submarine sweep, Mediterranean Sea, August 1986. Photo via USN.

The photo is mottled, it is not a camo scheme on the Minsk. #55 onboard the carrier Minsk, August 1986, Mediterranean Sea. Photo via USN.

55 over the Gulf of Oman, October 1987. USN photo by Storekeeper Third Class Bob Marsh.

Folded rotary wings.

The USN claims this Soviet Ka-25 was spying on U.S. military build-up during Operation Desert Shield. Operation Desert Shield was from August 1990 to 17JAN1991, however, the USN did not release this photo until April 1992!

Nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser Kalinin with a Ka-25 and a Ka-27 ‘Helix’. The Ka-27 is essentially a stretched version of the Ka-25. Photo via USN, Mediterranean Sea, dated April 1991.

I have not found any official information as to when or if the Russian navy has stopped using the Ka-25 (although it is obvious the Ka-25 has been replaced with the Ka-27, which is still in use). It appears that the Ka-25s of Bulgaria, former Yugoslavia-Serbia, and Viet Nam, are now serving as ‘gate guards’. India purchased at least seven ex-Soviet Ka-25s in the 1980s, apparently they are still in use. Apparently, the Syrian navy also still operates the Ka-25? Silly-vilian (civilian) versions are still in operation.

Cold War Finale: SOVIET Ka-27 HELIX BOARDS U.S. AIRCRAFT CARRIER!