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 Mi-17/171 Hip
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An Mi-171 was taking off carrying 6 rocket launchers. It is one of the
over 100 Russian-made Mi-17/171s (serial numbers LH917xx, 927xx, 937xx, 947xx, 957xx, 967xx,
987xx, 997xx) which represent the majority of medium transport helicopters in service with PLA Army
Aviation (LH). In order to replace the obsolete Z-5/Mi-4, 24 Mi-17s were initially
purchased in 1991 following the US government's refusal to sell more S-70Cs. Since then another
35 improved Mi-171s were purchased in 1995. Among them, some were modifed by adding IFF, ASO-2V
chaff/flare dispensers and external pylons for carrying up to six bombs,
fuel tanks, or rocket launchers. Some are also modified to lay mines or
to carry paratroopers. One Mi-171 was modified to carry 8 TY-90 IR-guided AAMs possibly for the Z-10 program.
Recently some Mi-17/171s have been modified with a large (datalink?) antenna on top of the boom.
However unlike the similar type in service with Russian Army (Mi-8TV), these locally modified
Mi-171s appear to lack cockpit armor plates, nose machine gun, engine exaust IR suppressors.
Its cruise speed is 230km and range is 1,000km. Apparently this cheap, robust and versatile helicopter
has become the backbone of LH. A small number of Mi-171s
modified with a search light, an IRST turret also entered the service with PLAAF for SAR missions (serial
# 30x7x). A new batch of Mi-171 was imported in 2006 by the Army (serial # B46xx, LH987xx, 997xx,
9107xx) which has a similar configuration (solid nose and loading ramp) as
Mi-17V5 (see below). A few VIP model were also imported (with old Mi-17 style rear doors).
Some Mi-171s were installed with an IR jammer (SOEP-V1A?) which
works together with the flare dispenser to protect the aircraft from MANPADS attacks. Recently one Mi-171 was spotted to have two antennas installed on top of the
external pylons. These mushroom shaped antennas may serve for the communication (relay) purposes.
- Last Updated 8/15/09 |
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Mi-17-V5/V7 Hip
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In 2001, the Army Aviaion introduced the new Mi-17-V5
transport helicopter (serial # LH917xx, 927XX, 937XX/7xx, 947xx, 977xx).
This variant features a solid nose, two TV3-117VM engines (max power 2,200hp) and a hydrolically operated
loading ramp. The two sliding doors on both sides of the cabin are also enlarged for quick troop disembarkation.
Some specifications: max TO weight 13,000kg, max internal load 4,000kg, max external load 4,500kg, cruise
speed 230km/h, range 715km, hover ceiling 3,980m (no ground effect). All were imported from Russia via China
United Airline for "civilian purpose". 25 more were imported in 2003-04 as the improved Mi-17-V7s with the more powerful VK-2500 engines (max power 2,400hp). They are
mainly used for high altitude and VIP missions in Tibet and Xinjiang replacing the old S-70Cs (serial #
LH927xx). Like Mi-171, some have been fitted with external pylons and fuel tanks (attached to the outside
of the cabin wall). Others were modified with an IRST turret mounted under the cabin and a seach light for
all-weather SAR missions. Some pilots are equipped with NVGs. A small number of Mi-17-V5s are also in service with PLAAF (serial # 11x5x) for SAR purpose.
The latest image indicated that a few Mi-17-V5s have been upgraded
with nose mounted laser and radar warning sensors.
- Last Updated 1/28/10 |
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SA-342L Gazelle
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An SA-342L anti-tank helicopter was seen recently
carrying a HJ-8 ATGM and a 12.7mm gun pod. 8 SA-342Ls have been in service with PLA Army as its first
generation attack helicopter (serial # LH943xx) since 1988. This small but agile helicopter has only two crews,
the pilot and the weapon control officer. Fitted with an optical sight on top of the cockpit (later removed), it
was initially equipped with 4 HOT (range 400-4,000m) ATGMs, which are now replaced by the locally made HJ-8. The
helicopter has also been modified to carry 12.7mm gun pods against both ground and aerial targets. Its cruise
speed is 260km and range is 580km. These SA-342Ls have provided PLA Army
valuable experience of conducting modern anti-armor warfare using attack helicopters.
- Last Updated 11/7/06 |
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S-70C-2 Black Hawk
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24 Sikorsky S-70C-2s equipped with a nose-mounted weather radar and upgraded
engines (T700-GE-701A, 1,723shp) were bought in 1985 (serial numbers LH922xx,
932xx, 942xx). Its cruise speed is 270km and range is 560km. Some are fitted
with shoulder-mounted wings with pylons which are able to carry 4 external fuel
tanks so that a longer range can be achieved. Most Black Hawks are used for troop transportation
and SAR in Tibet and in Xinjiang, due to their exellent performance at high altitude. As the result a few
were lost since then in the harsh environment. Due to the shortage of spare parts caused by the US embargo,
many of them were thought to be barely operational and have been replaced by Mi-17/171s. There were
reports that China was able to obtain the much needed spare parts from US for the purpose of "humanitarian
missions".
- Last Updated 11/7/06 |
Ka-28 Helix 
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One of the PLAN Ka-28 helicopters was taking off. PLAN acquired 5 ASW version and 3
SAR version (Ka-28PS) between 1999-2000. An independent Ka-28 regiment was then established at the East
Sea Fleet to fly the helicopter. These Ka-28 ASW helicopters (serial # 91X4)
are expected be stationed onboard the new 052B/C DDGs, 054 FFGs as well as two Sovremenny DDGs purchased from
Russia, where they may also provide over-the-horizon target informaion for the SS-N-22 supersonic missile. With
a chin-mounted a surface search radar, the ASW version normally carries 8 deepth charges or a Russian 350mm APR-3E guided torpedo in its internal bomb bay. The import of Ka-28 from Russia indicates it was selected over the lighter and less well
equiped Z-9C for ASW missions, even though the later has become the standard ASW helicopter for smaller
Luhu class DDG and Jiangwei class FFG. In October 2009 it was reported that 9 more Ka-28s (serial # 92x4) were ordered, probably for the newly constructed Type
054A FFGs.
- Last Updated 1/20/10 |
