Changhe Z-18
The Changhe Z-18 is a medium-lift transport helicopter developed by Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAIC) to replace the Harbin Z-8.
Z-18 | |
---|---|
Role | Multirole 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 |
Design
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]
History
The anti-submarine warfare (ASW) Z-18F 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]
Specifications (Z-18F)
General characteristics
- Max takeoff weight: 13,800 kg (30,360 lb)
- Powerplant: 3 × WZ-6C turboshafts
Armament
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
- China Introduces New Transport Helicopter. Aviation International News. 10 January 2018.
- Fisher, Richard D Jr (9 January 2018). "CAIG Z-18 transport helicopter looks to have entered service with PLAGF". IHS Jane's 360. Xinjiang. Archived from the original on 2018-01-13. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
- Andrew Tate (August 20, 2014), "China unveils ASW version of Z-18 helicopter", IHS Jane's 360, archived from the original on August 22, 2014
- "The world's ten best anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters". Naval Technology. 2019-06-01. Retrieved 2020-08-15.