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 Z-8/S/J/JH (SA-321Ja) Super Frelon 
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Z-8 is a land or ship based ASW/SAR helicopter based upon French SA-321Ja Super Frelon (13 were bought in the late 70s, serial numbers
94x6, 95x6). The helicopter was developed in the 80s by Changhe Aircraft Industrial Corporation
(CHAIC) and gave the Chinese valuable experience of designing a medium-sized helicopter. Its maximum TO
weight is 13t, cruise speed 248km/hr, ferry range 1,400km, service ceiling 3,050m. Its powerplant are 3
WZ-6 turboshafts. For ASW mission, Z-8 is equipped with a surface search radar, French HS-12
dipping sonar while carrying a Whitehead A244S torpedo under the starboard side of the fuselage. It
may also carry YJ-81 or YJ-83K ASMs in the future for anti-ship mission. Several Z-8s
(S/N 90x7, 91x7) were delivered to PLAN in the late 90s. However quality problems had hampered further
orders from the Navy. Later the problems seemed to have been resolved and the small batch production
resumed in 2002 (as Z-8J S/N 95x6, 95x7). A naval SAR version called Z-8S
(S/N 91x7) with upgraded avionics and a search light, a FLIR turret and a hoist flew on December 25, 2004.
At least two have been delivered to PLAN. Another rescure variant with dediated mdiecal eqipment onboard
was also developed for the Navy as Z-8JH (S/N 95x6). At least four are
in service with PLAN. Recently some of them were installed with a nose EO turret and external
pylons to carry rocket and gun pods for anti-piracy operations.
- Last Updated 7/10/10 |
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Z-8A/K/KA/KH Super Frelon
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As an army transport version, Z-8A was developed by
CHAIC and 602 Institute and was certified in February 1999. Two Z-8As were delievered to the Army for
evaluation in 2001 but suffered from poor quality and performance. Only a batch of 6 Z-8A (S/N
LH978xx) were delivered to the Army in November 2002. Consequently Army decided to order more Mi-17V5s
from Russia and stop ordering any more Z-8s. Finally in 2007 PLAAF started to acquire dozens of much improved
Z-8Ks (S/N 30x7x) and Z-8KAs
(S/N 619x, 629x) for SAR missions. These specialized variants are equipped with a FLIR turret and a search
light underneath the cabin plus a hoist and a flare dispenser attached to the fuselage. A dust filter is
installed in front the of engine intakes. Z-8K/KA also features a glass
cockpit. Recently another variant dubbed Z-8KH was developed for the
PLAAF unit stationed in Hong Kong, which has chaff/flare launchers installed in the floats. The first batch of
4 will be delivered in early 2010 (S/N 630x).
- Last Updated 5/13/10 |
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Z-9A/B (AS-365N) Daulphin
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A Z-9B light transport helicopter was taking off. Unlike most other Z-9s in
service with the Army, it actually belongs to a special PLAAF unit stationed in Hong Kong (S/N 6x0x). Based on
Z-9A, Z-9B has upgraded engines and uses more locally made components. The intial batches of
AS-365Ns (Z-9) license-built by Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation (HAMC) were used mainly
as transport helicopters (can carry up to 8 soldiers). However as more and more cheap and robust Mi-17/171
medium transport helicopters are being imported from Russia, Z-9 has become Army's primary utility helicopter
for SAR, training (S/N LH909xx, 919xx, 959xx, 989xx, 999xx) and other special missions which resulted in a number of
specialized variants such as communication, artillery direct
and EW (Type I & Type II) etc. In June 2000 two Z-9As
(able to carry machine gun pods or rocket launchers) were purchased by Mali AF, marking
the first exporting success of Z-9. Further two were delivered to Mauritania AF in
2003. Two Z-9As were delivered to Laos in June 2007, two more (H425) in December 2008. The production of Z-9A/B has been superceded by the further
improved H425 design.
- Last Updated 7/18/10 |
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Z-9C (AS-365F) Daulphin
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A PLAN Z-9C was ready for take-off carrying a Whitehead ASW torpedo. This
shipborne ASW variant is based on French AS-565F Panther (S/N
96x6, 8 were imported in the late 80s), and is equipped with an Agrion 15 (or indigenous KLC-1) surface search radar, a Thomson Sintra HS-12 dipping sonar and can
carry one Whitehead A244 torpedo on the starboard side. A small beacon antenna is mounted on the
roof of the cabin. This variant could provide datalink between ship and YJ-83 AShM for over-the-horizon
attack. Z-9C is expected to be stationed onboard the new 052B/C DDGs
(S/N 92x7, 96x6, 97x6) as an alternative to the heavier Ka-28s. Z-9C was co-developed
by HAMC and 602 Institute and only a few have entered limited production since late 2003. Pakistani Navy
is taking delivery of 6 Z-9ECs starting from 2007. Several
Z-9C/AS-365F (S/N 96x6) have been converted into SAR role with a
search light, an EO turret and a hoist installed. Lately in order to conduct anti-piracy patrol mission
off the Somali coast, several Z-9Cs (S/N 96x6, 97x6, 93x7) have been
further modified to boost its firepower, with a 12.7mm gun pod carried on the starboard side and a 57mm
rockt launcher on the port side. As the result, the EO turrent (housing TV and FLIR cameras) is reloated to
the helicopter roof and an air data sensor is also installed. A downgraded training
version (S/N 98x0) was also produced for the Naval Academy.
- Last Updated 7/10/10 |
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Z-9D Daulphin
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The new Z-9D 002 anti-ship variant prototype was just spotted at HAMC. A dummy
AShM can be seen carried under a stub wing. The missile could be the TL-10B developed by Hongdu,
which is a light, radar-guided anti-ship missile used against smaller FACs and gun boats (<1,000t). Its
range is 15km, speed is Mach 0.85 and its warhead weighs 30kg. Similar to Z-9C, Z-9D has a
fire-control radar installed in its nose and is believed to be shipborne.
- Last Updated 3/3/10 |
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Z-9W/WA/WE/WZ Daulphin
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Z-9W is the first indigenous anti-armor attack helicopter devrived from the
license-built AS-365N. Its main armament are four HJ-8A wire-guided ATGMs (range 600-3,000m, armor
penetration >800mm). Besides anti-tank missiles, it can carry also two 57mm/90mm rocket pods, or two
12.7mm machine gun pods, or two 23mm cannons, or four TY-90 IR-guided AAMs. The helicopter wears a combat
camouflage but is lightly armored. It also lacks effective counter-measures against IR and laser guided
SAMs. However one prototype has been fitted with an IRCM system (similar
to American AN/ALQ-144) behind the main rotor. A roof-mounted optical sight provides the means for searching
and tracking in daylight. Its maximum take-off weight is 4,100kg, maximum speed 315km, maximum range 664km
and ceiling 4,220m. The first prototype of Z-9W flew in 1989 and dozens have been produced (S/N
LH959xx, 969xx, 979xx, 989xx, 999xx). Some Z-9Ws feature redesigned
engine intakes with improved dust filters. A new night-attack version dubbed Z-9WA (Z-9G?) similar to AS 565CA Panther was developed in
2000 featuring more powerful engines and a new stub wing which can carry up to 8 HJ-8 ATGMs or PL-90 AAMs.
Its nose is redesigned to carry a low-light TV/IRST turret (YY-1?) for night missions, with RWR antennas
installed on both sides. A mast-mounted sight (or an MMW radar) prototype
is also being developed. The helicopter also has a better armor protection in the cockpit area, a flare
launcher, datalink and a redesigned NVG compatible cockpit. An air data sensor is installed on the starborad
side of the cabin. A large datalink antenna is installed
underneath the boom. Z-9WAs have been entering service with the Army
Aviation (S/N LH919xx, 929xx, 939xx, 949xx, 959xx,
969XX, 979XX, 989xx, 999xx,
9109xx) since early 2005 as a stop-gap measure until Z-10 (see below)
enters the service. A recon version (Z-9WZ) was also developed and it
first flew on December 29, 2004. PLAAF also took delivery of a few Z-9WEs
in 2007 (S/N 609x, 60x2x). Some of them are equipped with a machine gun
and a search light for SAR purpose. It was reported that two Z-9WEs will be delivered to Kenya in early
2010, marking the first export success of this variant.
- Last Updated 2/28/10 |
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Z-10
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A rare view of the Z-10 03A prototype is shown here.
Co-developed by the 602 Institute, CHAIC and HAMC as the first dedicated modern attack helicopter for PLA Army
Aviation since 1998, Z-10 is generally believed in the same class as South
African Rooviak and Italian A129, yet still not as capable as American AH-64 Apache. The helicoter adopes a
standard gunship configuration featuring a narrow fuselage and stepped tandem cockpits with the gunner in the
frontseat and the pilot in the backseat. The fuselage appears to have a stealthy diamond cross section to
reduce RCS. It also have a 5-blade main rotor made of composite material and an AH-64 style 4-blade tail rotor.
All the vital areas of the fuselage including the cockpit and fuel tanks are believed to be protected by the
armor plates. It weighs about 5.5 tons and is powered initially by two P&W PT6C-76C turboshaft engines (rated
@ 1,250kW each). However domestic developed engines (upgrated WZ-9?) may be used later in production batches.
Its rotor and transmission systems may have been designed with extensive technical assistance from Eurocopter
France and Agusta. Its weapon system may consist of 4 HJ-9 ATGMs (comparable to American TOW-2A) in a box
launcher under the stub wing and a 30mm cannon mounted under the chin, aimed via gunner's helmet mounted sight.
Furthermore TY-90 AAMs can be carried against enemy helicopters and slow-moving fixed wing aircraft.
It may also carry 8 newly developed KD-10 ATGMs in the same class of AGM-114 Hellfire. Similar to AH-64,
Z-10 features a large nose turret housing FLIR, TV camera, laser range
finder and designator. Two MAWS sensors are installed on both sides of the fuselage behind the nose turret. The
helicopter may also be fitted with an integrated communication/navigation system, a comprehensive ECM suite,
1553B databus, and a glass cockpit. Contrary to western speculations, 2
prototypes were built in 2003 and 6 more were built in 2004. The first flight of 02 prototype took place on
April 29, 2003. Recent images indicated that its engine exausts have been modified to reduce IR signature
(pointing upward). Several Z-10 prototypes powered by PT6C-76C engine were
evaluated by the Army by 2007. Recent news suggested that an "optimized" version (Z-10A?) has been under
developemnt and is expected to enter the mass production. This version has a reduced weight and is powered by
the upgraded WZ-9 engines. The latest rumor claimed that the first batch of Z-10A is entering service
with PLA Army Aviation.
- Last Updated 4/2/10 |
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Z-11
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Z-11 is a light utility helicopter designed for training and liaison missions.
Only a small number (~37) of Z-11s are in service at the Army
Aviation Training School (S/N LH904xx). 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 a single WZ-8D turboshaft engine
(rated @ 510kW) instead of two. Its maximum speed is 278km/h, service ceiling 5,240m, max range 598km,
endurance 3.9hr. It appears that Z-11 was actually based on French AS-350B
Squirrel, a small number of which are also in service with the Army Aviation. A scout version similar
to 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 HJ-8 ATGMs. The first prototype of Z-11WA flew on
December 27, 2004. However this version failed to attract any order from the Army and instead a number of
Z-9WZ (see above) were acquired.
- Last Updated 2/11/10 |
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HC-120 Colibri
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This light utility helicopter just entered the service with the Army Aviation in
late 2005 for primary training. It is basically an EC-120 co-developed by China, France and Singapore
in the mid-90s and manufactured by HAMC. Some specifications: max TO weight 1,715kg, max cruise speed
237km/hr, range 771km, hover ceiling 5,151m. It is powered by one Turbomeca Arrius 2F Turboshaft engine
rated at 335kW. The helicopter also uses composite materials extensively. Initial batch of 8 HC-120s were delivered to Army Aviation Training School by the
end of 2005 (S/N LH908xx). The helicopter is expected to have replaced the aging SA-316 fleet to
train new pilots for the Army Aviation.
- Last Updated 11/26/09 |
Z-19 
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The first Z-19 prototype is partially revealed at the lower left corner of
a news photo released by AVIC in July 2010. Z-19 (?) is a new attack helicopter based on Z-9WA
currently under development at Harbin Aircraft Industrial Corporation. The helicopter features a narrow
forward fuselage and a tandem cockpit layout similar to those of Z-10 (see above). It is thought
to retain the same aft fuselage, engine and rotor system from Z-9WA which speeds up the development.
The Z-19 project is expected to complement even compete with the heavier Z-10 attack helicopter
from Changhe which has been long delayed by the engine problem. It was reported that Z-19 prototype
first flew in May 2010.
- Last Updated 7/26/10 |
