Z-11 China Light Utility Helicopter

The Z-11 is a light utility helicopter designed for training and liaison missions. two batches of Z-11s are in service at the army Aviation training school. Developed by CHAIC and 602 Institute, Z-11 passed the certification in December 1996 and the first batch were delivered to the army Aviation in August 1998. Compared to Z-9, it weighs less (2,200kg) and is powered only by one WZ-8D turbo-shaft engine (rated @ 510kW) rather than two. Its most speed is 278km/h, service ceiling 5,240m, max range 598km, endurance 3.9hr.

It seems that Z-11 was truly based on French AS-350B Squirrel, 7 of that are in service with the army Aviation (S/N LH904XX). A scout version just like US Army OH-58D was developed and dubbed Z-11WA. This variant features a roof-mounted all-weather TV/IIR sight and an NVG compatible cockpit. It can be armed with 57mm unguided rockets, 12.7mm machine gun pod and up to 4 KD-8 ATGMs.

The first prototype of Z-11WA flew on December 27, 2004. but this version didn't attract any order from the army and instead a number of Z-9WZ were acquired. Recent pictures indicated that Z-11 has been carrying a military camouflage. the latest news (October 2011) suggested that China and Argentina signed an agreement to assemble CZ-11W scout helicopter in Argentina aiming at the entire South american market.

Z-15 Medium Utility Helicopter

Eurocopter and Avicopter are jointly developing the six-ton EC175 helicopter, also called Z15 in China. The Zhi-15 (Z-15) is a 6,000 kg-class medium utility helicopter jointly developed by Harbin Aviation Industry and Eurocopter. The helicopter aims to fulfil the growing demand for this class of helicopter in both civil and military markets in the next decade.

According to Chinese media, the medium helicopter project was initially set as a 5,500kg class design, but later changed to 6.000kg after reviewing the potential market needs. The helicopter is likely to enter PLA service in 2015~2020, by which time its current Mi-8/17, S-70, Z-8 and Z-9 fleets will be reaching their life span. The new 6,000kg class helicopter will possibly available in several variants for army support, naval antisubmarine warfare (ASW), and search and rescue (SAR) roles.

Z-9 PLA Army Utility Helicopter

The Zhi-9 (Z-9) army utility helicopter licensed-built version of the Aérospatiale (now Eurocopter) AS 365N Dauphin II. The helicopter has been built by Harbin Aircraft Manufacture Company (HAMC) since the early 1980s. The Z-9 is probably the foremost created helicopter in China, with over 200 machines delivered to each military and civilian customers. The Z-9s in service with the PLA available in three variants: army utility, naval, and attack.

The Z-9 is mostly clone of the AS 365N Dauphin. The helicopter is of sunshine aluminium alloy (28%) construction with extensive use of composite materials (59%), like glass fibre, and Nomex for added strength and for weight reduction. The helicopter has a four-blade main rotor, with two turboshaft engines mounted side by side on top of the cabin with an air intake on side of motor hump and exhausts at the rear of the hump. The teardrop-shaped body features a tapered boom to the tail fin, a rounded nose and stepped-up cockpit.

The Z-9B is powered by two 550kW (739hp) Turbomeca Arriel-IC1 turboshaft, that is created by SAEC at Zhuzhou as Wozhou-8A (WZ-8A). The fuel capability is 1,140 litre, with possibility for a 400 litre ferry tank. The HAMC is developing a new variant H410A/425/450 powered by two improved 635kW (851hp) Arriel-II turboshaft engines.

WZ-19 New Chinese Attack Helicopter

The WZ-19 new Chinese attack helicopter are used primarily to attack tanks and other heavy white. The new Harbin / AVIC WZ-19 attack helicopters helicopter is based on Z-9W attack anti-armor, which in turn is derived from building permit AS-365N. The WZ-19 engines used (WoZhou WZ8A?), The fuselage of the rotor, aft tail section (including Fenestron tail rotor) with slight modifications of H425 [a recent update of the variants of the Z-9] swhich speed development. Unlike the Z-9W, which was basically a helicopter armed bodied utility, the WZ-19 features a new narrow-body sent to the compact tandem arrangement similar to that of the other helicopters such as Z- 10, T TAI / Agusta Westland -129, AH-1Z Viper, AH-64 Apache, Eurocopter Tiger, Mil Mi-28 helicopter gunships and HAL Light.

The WZ-19 narrow-body has a forward and a tandem cockpit design similar to the Z-10, but with the seat reversed - the pilot sitting in the front seat and the gunner in the back seat. The crew are protected by armor plate, seats withstand shocks and front landing gear retractable. It also has a Z-style nose-mounted EO 9WA (FLIR, TV and laser rangefinder) with weaponry that is in the canon of 30 mm on the chin turret. The helicopter can also carry air-to-air and air-ground weapon package similar to that of Z-9WA in a pair of stubby wings, including ATGM KD-8, PL-90 AAMs and gun pods and 23 lanchers mm rocket.

The WZ-19 helicopter has a toke weight 4,500 kg, 2,350 kg empty weight, maximum cruise speed of 245 kmh [about 150 miles per hour], the maximum rate up to 9 m / s [more than 1. 500 ft / min], range of 700 kilometers [450 miles], on the ceiling (out of ground effect) 2,400 m, the resistance of three hours. Exhaust ports help reduce the use of design of the infrared signal.

Z-10 Chinese assault helicopter

Z-10 Chinese assault helicopter Picture

The Z-10 is an Chinese assault helicopter in development. In 2007 this program cam became public because the helicopters should be equipped with the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67C engines. This is not allowed due to the US weapon embargo against China. The machines "should be for a Chinese civil helicopter.