Changhe Z-18

Z-18
Role Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and Medium transport / Utility helicopter
National origin China
Manufacturer Avicopter (Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation)
Status In service
Primary user People's Liberation Army
Developed from Avicopter AC313

The Changhe Z-18 is a medium transport helicopter developed by Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAIC) to replace the Z-8.

Design and development

The Z-18 is a single-rotor helicopter with tail rotor and a non-retractable landing gear, thought to be based on the Avicopter AC313, an updated design based on the earlier Harbin Z-8, itself a development of the Aérospatiale Super Frelon. Naval version of Z-18 was first revealed onboard Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning. In 2014, army version of Z-18 was revealed in Chinese army publications.[1] It features a redesigned lower fuselage, with power provided by three improved WZ-6C turboshaft engines and has a MTOW of 13.8 tonnes.[2]

The Z-18 uses composite materials for the rotor blade and titanium main rotor. It is equipped with a modern integrated digital avionics system and advanced electronic flight instrument landing system. Variants of the Z-18 have been developed for performing VIP transport, search and rescue, ASW and AEW operations.

Variants

See also

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
Related lists

References


  1. http://www.janes.com/article/65345/avic-s-turbojet-powered-cloud-shadow-uav-emerges
  2. http://www.popsci.com/chinas-new-fleet-drones-zhuhai-2016-airshow-displays-future-chinese-warbots-and-swarms
  3. http://www.janes.com/article/65345/avic-s-turbojet-powered-cloud-shadow-uav-emerges
  4. http://www.popsci.com/chinas-new-fleet-drones-zhuhai-2016-airshow-displays-future-chinese-warbots-and-swarms
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