Changhe Z-18

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The Z-18 ( 直 -18, Pinyin Zhí-18 ) or Z-8G is a transport helicopter of the Chinese People's Liberation Army . It was developed by the Changhe Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG) and is a heavily modified variant of the Harbin Z-8.

history

The initial design Z-8 is a licensed Chinese replica of the French transport helicopter Aerospatiale SA 321Ja Super Frelon, which was put into service by the Chinese Navy around 1996.

The Z-18, which is heavily modified compared to the Z-8, made its maiden flight in 2014 and has a newly developed cockpit and a modified shape of the outer shell. It has a ramp at the stern, a ground penetrating radar in the bow and a SATCOM antenna behind the engine outlets. According to the CAIG, composite materials and titanium alloys are said to have been used extensively in construction . It has a maximum take-off mass of 13.8 tons and can carry 30 soldiers or five tons of cargo. Its range is about 1000 kilometers. The helicopter is powered by three Chinese WZ-6C Turboshaft engines.

The main advantage of the Z-18 are flights at very high altitudes, such as the Tibetan mountain regions in western China. The helicopter reaches an altitude of 9,000 meters and can therefore carry out transport and rescue missions in the event of natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies.

The maritime variant Z-18F should have a sonar and be used for fighting submarines. For this purpose this variant carries up to 32 sonoboys and 4 light torpedoes like the Yu-7.

It is believed that the helicopter is linked to the Chinese Navy's Ka-28 radar . This enables integration into the target acquisition of long-range maritime weapons. The sea helicopter has a falling eagle as its emblem.

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Robert Hewson: Curious Chinese helicopter developments . In: World Air Power Journal, Volume 29, Summer 1997, p. 24
  2. ↑ Chen Chuanren: China Introduces New Transport Helicopter. Accessed December 24, 2019 .
  3. ↑ a b China unveils ASW version of Z-18 helicopter - IHS Jane's 360. August 22, 2014, accessed on December 24, 2019 (English).
  4. ↑ Chinese Military Aviation: Helicopters III. In: Chinese Military Aviation. Accessed December 24, 2019 .