Engineering:Changhe Z-18
| Z-18 | |
|---|---|
| |
| PLANAF Changhe Z-18J AEW from the aircraft carrier Liaoning | |
| Role | Utility helicopter |
| National origin | China |
| Manufacturer | Avicopter (Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation) |
| First flight | 2014[1] |
| Introduction | 2018 |
| Status | In service, in production |
| Primary user | People's Liberation Army |
| Developed from | Avicopter AC313 |
The Changhe Z-18, also known as Z-8G,[1] is a medium-lift transport helicopter developed by Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAIC) to replace the Harbin Z-8.
Design and development
The Z-18 is a development of the Avicopter AC313 and Harbin Z-8, both of which are developments of the Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon.[2][1]
The fuselage reportedly makes greater use of titanium and composites,[3] and replaces the Z-8's boat-shaped lower fuselage with a tail ramp for small vehicles.[1] It has a glass cockpit[2] and is powered by three WZ-6C turboshafts.[2][1]
The Z-18's maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) is 13.8 tonnes. In late-2014, the only People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships able to operate the helicopter at MTOW were aircraft carriers and large amphibious assault ships.[3]
Operational history
The Z-18F anti-submarine warfare (ASW) version was undergoing testing by the end of August 2014.[3]
The transport Z-18A first appeared in Chinese state media in December 2014, and reportedly underwent high-altitude testing on the Tibetan Plateau in January 2015.[2] The Z-18A reached an altitude of 9,000 m (29,528 ft) during testing.[1]
The Z-18A was in service with the People's Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF) by January 2018.[2]
Variants
- Z-18A: Transport variant. It may carry 27[2]-30 troops,[1] small vehicles, or 5 tonnes of cargo to a range of up to 1000 km.[1] An extended nose contains terrain-following radar and an electro-optical system.[2] Some have a SATCOM fairing on the tailboom. The variant may have been re-designated as Z-8G (Gaoyuan, or "Plateau").[1]
- Z-18F: ASW variant with chin-mounted surface search radar, dipping sonar, and may be equipped with up to four lightweight torpedoes and 32 sonobuoys.[3]
- Z-18J: Airborne early warning (AEW) variant, with a lowerable radar antenna in place of the ramp.[3]
Operators
People's Republic of China
- People's Liberation Army Ground Force (Z-18A)[2]
Specifications (Z-18F)
Data from Military Today[6]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2 flight crew
- Capacity:
- 27 passengers or
- 15 stretchers
- Length: 23.05 m (75 ft 7 in) (overall, rotors turning)
- Height: 7 m (23 ft 0 in)
- Empty weight: 7,000 kg (15,432 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 13,800 kg (30,360 lb)
- Powerplant: 3 × WZ-6C turboshafts
- Main rotor diameter: 19 m (62 ft 4 in)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 336 km/h (209 mph, 181 kn)
- Service ceiling: 9,000 m (29,528 ft)
Armament
- Up to 4 Yu-7 ASW torpedoes or YJ-9 anti-ship missiles[7]
- Up to 32 sonobuoys
See also
Related development
- Aérospatiale Super Frelon/Harbin Z-8
- Avicopter AC313
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
- AgustaWestland AW101
- Mil Mi-38
- NHIndustries NH90
- Sikorsky S-92
Related lists
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 China Introduces New Transport Helicopter. Aviation International News. 10 January 2018.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Fisher, Richard D Jr (9 January 2018). "CAIG Z-18 transport helicopter looks to have entered service with PLAGF". Xinjiang. Archived from the original on 2018-01-13. https://archive.today/20180113145300/http://www.janes.com/article/76908/caig-z-18-transport-helicopter-looks-to-have-entered-service-with-plagf. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Andrew Tate (August 20, 2014), China unveils ASW version of Z-18 helicopter, http://www.janes.com/article/42184/china-unveils-asw-version-of-z-18-helicopter
- ↑ Tate, Andrew (21 January 2019). "Image emerges of Z-8G helicopter variant". London. https://www.janes.com/article/85859/image-emerges-of-z-8g-helicopter-variant.
- ↑ Rupprecht, Andreas (21 August 2020). "Update: Images show wide-body variant of Z-8G helicopter undergoing load-carrying trials". https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/update-images-show-wide-body-variant-of-z-8g-helicopter-undergoing-load-carrying-trials.
- ↑ "Z-18 Medium Transport Helicopter". http://www.military-today.com/helicopters/z18.htm.
- ↑ "The world's ten best anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters" (in en-GB). 2019-06-01. https://www.naval-technology.com/features/feature-the-worlds-best-anti-submarine-warfare-asw-helicopters-4153353/.
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