 Z-8 (SA-321Ja) Super Frelon 
|
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 its development gave the Chinese valuable experience of designing a
medium-sized helicopter. Its maximum TO weight is 13t, the cruise speed is 248km/h and ferry range
is 800km. 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 Y-7 torpedo (MK 46 mod 1) under the starboard
side of the fuselage. It may also carry YJ-8K/C-801K or YJ-82K/C-802K ASMs in the future for anti-ship
mission. Some Z-8s are able to embark upon Luhu & Luda II class DDG. A few (12?) Z-8s (serial number 9xx7) were delivered to PLAN in the late 90s.
However they suffered quality problems which hampered further orders from the Navy. Now the problems
seem to have been resolved and the small batch production has resumed in 2002. An army transport version
called Z-8A was also developed and a prototype already flew. Two
were delievered to the Army for testing in 2001. This medium tranport helicopter is expected to further
enhance PLA Army's rapid deployment capability. The first batch of Z-8A were delivered to the
Army in November 2002.
|
|
Z-9A/B (AS-365N) Daulphin
|
A group of PLA soldiers were quickly dispersing from their Z-9B light
transport helicopter right after its landing. Unlike most other Z-9s which serve in the Army,
it actually belongs to a special PLAAF unit stationed in Hong Kong (serial number 15x-16x). 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 since more
and more cheap and robust Mi-17/171 medium transport helicopters were imported from Russia,
Z-9 has become Army's primary utility helicopter for SAR and other specialized missions which
resulted in a number of specialized variants such as communication, artillery direct and EW etc. A lightly armed
variant of Z-9B was developed too. This version can carry rocket
launchers and machine guns but lacks the roof-mounted optical sight of Z-9W. 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.
|
|
Z-9C (AS-365F) Daulphin
|
A brandnew Z-9C prototype was under test before being put into
service with PLAN. This shipborne variant is based on French AS-565MA
Panther (serial number 96x6, 8 were imported in the late 80s), and is equipped with an Agrion
15 (or KLC-1) surface search radar, a Thomson Sintra HS-12 dipping sonar
and can carry one Whitehead A244/MK-46 Mod 1 torpedo. A small antenna of unknown purpose is seen mounted
on the roof of the cabin. This variant could also provide datalink between ship and YJ-82 SSM for
over-the-horizon attack. In the future Z-9C may also be upgraded to carry C-701 TV guided
short-range ASMs for attacking small boats. However with the import of heavier Ka-28s from Russia for
Sovremenny and Luhai DDGs, Z-9C is thought to be limited to the smaller Luda DDGs and Jiangwei
FFGs only.
|
|
Z-9W Daulphin
|
Z-9W is the first indigenous anti-armor attack helicopter devrived from
the license-built AS-365N Daulphin. Its main armament are four HJ-8 wire-guided ATGMs (range
600-3,000m, armor penetration 600mm). Besides anti-tank missiles, it can carry two 57mm/90mm rocket
pods or two 12.7mm machine gun pods or two 23mm cannons as well. Here a Z-9W gunship is seen
practising its two 23mm cannons for aerial dog-fight against other helicopters, where it could also
carry up to 4 TY-90 IR guided AAMs (not shown here) for the similar role. The helicopter wears a combat
camouflage but is lightly armored. It also lacks effective counter-measures against IR and laser guided
SAMs. A roof-mounted optical sight provides the means for searching and tracking. Its maximum take-off
weight is 4,100kg, maximum speed 315km, maximum range 664km and ceiling 4,220m. Developed by Harbin
Aircraft Corporation, the first prototype of Z-9W (Z-9G
as the export version) flew in 1989 and the helicopter is currently in small-batch production (serial
numbers LH969xx, 989xx, 999xx). The latest batch of Z-9W features
more powerful WZ-8 turbshafts with redesigned engine intakes.
|
|
Z-10
|
Co-developed by 602 Institute and CHAIC as the first dedicated attack helicopter
for PLA Army Aviation since mid-90s , Z-10 is generally believed in the same class as South
African Atlas Rooviak and Italian Agusta 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. It weighs 5.5 tons and may
be powered initially by two P&W PT6C-76C turboshaft engines (rated @ 1,250kW each). However domestic
manufactured engines (WZ-9?) may be used in later models. Its rotor and transmission systems may have
come directly from Eurocopter France and Agusta, or the systems may have designed with extensive
technical assistance from the west. Its weapon system may consist of 4 HJ-9 ATGMs (comparable to American
TOW-2A) under each of the two short wings and a 20mm cannon under the chin, aimed via gunner's helmet
mounted sight. If necessary TY-90 AAMs can be carried against enemy helicopters and slow-moving fixed
wing aircraft. Like other attack helicopters, it features a nose turret housing IRST, TV camera and laser
designator. The helicopter may also be fitted with an integrated communication/navigation system, a
comprehensive ECM suite and an integrated cockpit display system. Contrary to western speculations,
the Z-10 project is believed to be moving into the prototype construction stage. A full-scale
mock-up was displayed in front of the Chinese President during his visit to 602 Institute in May 2001.
The first prototype of Z-10 is expected to fly in 2003, way ahead of the schedule proposed by
western analysts (2006+).
|
Z-11 
|
Z-11 is a light utility helicopters designed for training and liaison
missions. Currently a small number (27) of Z-11s are in service
at the Army Aviation training regiment (serial number LH 904xx). Developed by CHAIC, Z-11
passed flight evaluation 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 and max range is 598km.
It was rumored that Z-11 was based on AS-350B Squirrel but this not been confirmed. A
scout version similar to US Army OH-58D was revealed at the 4th Zhuhai Airshow and may be called Z-11W. This variant features a Z-9 style root-mounted optical
sight and is lightly armed with unguided rockets and machine guns. If entering service, it may fly in
formation with Z-9Ws or even the future Z-10s to complement the later, just like the
OH-58D/AH-64A combination.
|
|
Home
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 its development gave the Chinese valuable experience of designing a
medium-sized helicopter. Its maximum TO weight is 13t, the cruise speed is 248km/h and ferry range
is 800km. 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 Y-7 torpedo (MK 46 mod 1) under the starboard
side of the fuselage. It may also carry YJ-8K/C-801K or YJ-82K/C-802K ASMs in the future for anti-ship
mission. Some Z-8s are able to embark upon Luhu & Luda II class DDG. A few (12?) Z-8s (serial number 9xx7) were delivered to PLAN in the late 90s.
However they suffered quality problems which hampered further orders from the Navy. Now the problems
seem to have been resolved and the small batch production has resumed in 2002. An army transport version
called Z-8A was also developed and a prototype already flew. Two
were delievered to the Army for testing in 2001. This medium tranport helicopter is expected to further
enhance PLA Army's rapid deployment capability. The first batch of Z-8A were delivered to the
Army in November 2002.
A group of PLA soldiers were quickly dispersing from their Z-9B light
transport helicopter right after its landing. Unlike most other Z-9s which serve in the Army,
it actually belongs to a special PLAAF unit stationed in Hong Kong (serial number 15x-16x). 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 since more
and more cheap and robust Mi-17/171 medium transport helicopters were imported from Russia,
Z-9 has become Army's primary utility helicopter for SAR and other specialized missions which
resulted in a number of specialized variants such as communication, artillery direct and EW etc. A lightly armed
variant of Z-9B was developed too. This version can carry rocket
launchers and machine guns but lacks the roof-mounted optical sight of Z-9W. 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.
A brandnew Z-9C prototype was under test before being put into
service with PLAN. This shipborne variant is based on French AS-565MA
Panther (serial number 96x6, 8 were imported in the late 80s), and is equipped with an Agrion
15 (or KLC-1) surface search radar, a Thomson Sintra HS-12 dipping sonar
and can carry one Whitehead A244/MK-46 Mod 1 torpedo. A small antenna of unknown purpose is seen mounted
on the roof of the cabin. This variant could also provide datalink between ship and YJ-82 SSM for
over-the-horizon attack. In the future Z-9C may also be upgraded to carry C-701 TV guided
short-range ASMs for attacking small boats. However with the import of heavier Ka-28s from Russia for
Sovremenny and Luhai DDGs, Z-9C is thought to be limited to the smaller Luda DDGs and Jiangwei
FFGs only.
Z-9W is the first indigenous anti-armor attack helicopter devrived from
the license-built AS-365N Daulphin. Its main armament are four HJ-8 wire-guided ATGMs (range
600-3,000m, armor penetration 600mm). Besides anti-tank missiles, it can carry two 57mm/90mm rocket
pods or two 12.7mm machine gun pods or two 23mm cannons as well. Here a Z-9W gunship is seen
practising its two 23mm cannons for aerial dog-fight against other helicopters, where it could also
carry up to 4 TY-90 IR guided AAMs (not shown here) for the similar role. The helicopter wears a combat
camouflage but is lightly armored. It also lacks effective counter-measures against IR and laser guided
SAMs. A roof-mounted optical sight provides the means for searching and tracking. Its maximum take-off
weight is 4,100kg, maximum speed 315km, maximum range 664km and ceiling 4,220m. Developed by Harbin
Aircraft Corporation, the first prototype of Z-9W (Z-9G
as the export version) flew in 1989 and the helicopter is currently in small-batch production (serial
numbers LH969xx, 989xx, 999xx). The latest batch of Z-9W features
more powerful WZ-8 turbshafts with redesigned engine intakes.
Co-developed by 602 Institute and CHAIC as the first dedicated attack helicopter
for PLA Army Aviation since mid-90s , Z-10 is generally believed in the same class as South
African Atlas Rooviak and Italian Agusta 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. It weighs 5.5 tons and may
be powered initially by two P&W PT6C-76C turboshaft engines (rated @ 1,250kW each). However domestic
manufactured engines (WZ-9?) may be used in later models. Its rotor and transmission systems may have
come directly from Eurocopter France and Agusta, or the systems may have designed with extensive
technical assistance from the west. Its weapon system may consist of 4 HJ-9 ATGMs (comparable to American
TOW-2A) under each of the two short wings and a 20mm cannon under the chin, aimed via gunner's helmet
mounted sight. If necessary TY-90 AAMs can be carried against enemy helicopters and slow-moving fixed
wing aircraft. Like other attack helicopters, it features a nose turret housing IRST, TV camera and laser
designator. The helicopter may also be fitted with an integrated communication/navigation system, a
comprehensive ECM suite and an integrated cockpit display system. Contrary to western speculations,
the Z-10 project is believed to be moving into the prototype construction stage. A full-scale
mock-up was displayed in front of the Chinese President during his visit to 602 Institute in May 2001.
The first prototype of Z-10 is expected to fly in 2003, way ahead of the schedule proposed by
western analysts (2006+).
Z-11 is a light utility helicopters designed for training and liaison
missions. Currently a small number (27) of Z-11s are in service
at the Army Aviation training regiment (serial number LH 904xx). Developed by CHAIC, Z-11
passed flight evaluation 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 and max range is 598km.
It was rumored that Z-11 was based on AS-350B Squirrel but this not been confirmed. A
scout version similar to US Army OH-58D was revealed at the 4th Zhuhai Airshow and may be called Z-11W. This variant features a Z-9 style root-mounted optical
sight and is lightly armed with unguided rockets and machine guns. If entering service, it may fly in
formation with Z-9Ws or even the future Z-10s to complement the later, just like the
OH-58D/AH-64A combination.
