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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 modified 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 able to lay mines or
to carry paratroopers. Most Mi-17/171s have been upgraded with a
pair of communication antennas on top of and beneath 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 exhaust 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 (M-171E?) was imported in 2006 by the Army (S/N B46xx, 927xx, LH987xx,
997xx, 9107xx) as well as the Air Force (S/N
999xx) 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).
A few Mi-171s do have an IR jammer (SOEP-V1A?) installed which
works together with the flare dispenser to protect the aircraft from MANPADS attacks. One Mi-171 was modified in 2008 to have two antennas installed on top
of the external pylons. These mushroom shaped antennas may serve for the communication (relay) purposes.
Another type of antenna was seen intalled on top of the tail boom of an Mi-171
probably for navigational purpose (GPS/Beidou).
The latest image (September 2011) suggested that one Mi-171
might have been installed with a retractable battlefield surveillance radar similar to that onboard French
AS-532 Horizon battlefield surveillance helicopter.
- Last Updated 2/1/12 |
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Mi-17-V5/V7 Hip
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In 2001, the Army Aviation introduced the new Mi-17-V5
transport helicopter (S/N LH917xx, 927XX, 937XX/7xx, 947xx, 977xx).
This variant features a solid nose, two TV3-117VM engines (max power 2,200hp) and a hydraulically 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 (S/N
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 search 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 (S/N 11x5x) for SAR purpose.
Some have been upgraded with nose mounted laser and radar warning sensors.
A few have been converted into SAR helicopters with a navigational antenna
(GPS/Beidou?) installed on top of the tail boom as well as a search radar
mounted under the nose.
- Last Updated 2/1/12 |
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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 (S/N LH922xx, 932xx, 942xx). Its cruise speed is 270km and range
is 560km. Some were initially fitted with shoulder-mounted wings with pylons which are able to carry 4 external fuel tanks so that a longer range could be achieved at the cost of increasing
drag. Most Black Hawks are used for troop transportation and SAR in Tibet and in Xinjiang, due to their
excellent performance at high altitude. As the result a few were lost since then in the harsh environment. Some
were equipped 12.7mm machine guns when flying support missions near the Sino-Indian border. Due to the shortage
of spare parts caused by the US embargo, some are thought to be in limited operation and their mission has been
replaced by the newly imported Mi-17V5/171Es. There were reports that China was able to obtain the much
needed spare parts from US for the purpose of "humanitarian missions" but this has not been confirmed. Recent
images indicate some have been upgraded with a Chinese IFF antenna on the nose as well as a pair of communication
antennas on top of and beneath the boom. It was speculated that Chinese have been trying to reverse-engineer the
Black Hawk design but so far their effort has been unsuccessful.
- Last Updated 12/12/11 |
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Ka-27/28 Helix
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A PLAN Ka-28 ASW helicopter was taking off carrying a sonar retracted under the tail boom.
PLAN acquired 5 ASW version and 3
SAR version (Ka-27PS) 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 (S/N 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 information for the
SS-N-22 supersonic missile. With a chin-mounted a surface search radar, the ASW version normally carries 8 depth
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 equipped 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
(S/N 92x4) were ordered, probably for the newly constructed Type 054A FFGs.
- Last Updated 8/15/11 |
