Harbin Z-9

Harbin Z-9
Role	Medium multi-purpose utility helicopter
Manufacturer	Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation
First flight	1981
Introduction	1994
Status	Operational
Primary users	China Pakistan Naval Air Arm
Number built	200
Developed from	Aérospatiale Dauphin
Variants	Harbin Z-19

The Harbin Z-9 (NATO reporting name "Haitun") is a Chinese military utility helicopter. It is a license-built version of the French Eurocopter Dauphin, and is manufactured by Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation.

Design and development

The first Z-9 flew in 1981, and was built in China from components supplied by Aérospatiale. On 16 January 1992, the indigenous variant Z-9B, constructed with 70% Chinese-made parts, flew successfully. The flight test was completed in November, 1992 and the design was finalized a month later. Z-9B production began in 1993 and entered PLA service in 1994.

The Z-9B features 11-blade Fenestron faired-in tail rotor with wider-chord, all-composite blades replacing the 13-blade in AS 365N. As a light tactical troop transport, the Z-9 has the capacity to transport 10 fully armed soldiers.

Generally the Z-9 is identical to the AS 365N Dauphin, though later variants of the Z-9 incorporate more composite materials to increase structural strength and lower radar signature. The helicopter has a four-blade main rotor, with two turboshaft engines mounted side by side on top of the cabin with engine layout identical to the AS 365N. The Z-9 teardrop-shaped body features a tapered boom to the tail fin, with rounded nose and stepped-up cockpit, and retractable gear and all flat bottom.

Variants

An armed variant has been fielded by the PLA since the early 1990s as the WZ-9 or Z-9W, with pylons fitted for anti-tank missiles. These helicopters lack the maneuverability and survivability of a proper attack helicopter, and merely provide a stopgap during the development of the WZ-10. The latest armed version, the Z-9W, was introduced in 2005 and has night attack capabilities, with an under-nose low-light TV and infra-red observing and tracking unit.

The naval version introduced in the 1990s is known as the Z-9C. As well as SAR and ASW duties, the Z-9C can be fitted with an X-band KLC-1 surface search radar to detect surface targets beyond the range of shipborne radar systems.

• Z-9: Chinese license produce of the French AS.365N1.
• Z-9A: Chinese kit-built version of the AS.365N2.
• Z-9A-100: Prototypes for domestic market versions with WZ8A engines. First flight 16 January 1992, approved 30 December 1992.
• Z-9B: Initial version based on Z-9A-100. Multi-role.
• Z-9C: Chinese license produce of the Eurocopter AS.565 Panther given to the PLA Naval Air Force.
• Z-9EC: ASW variant produced for the Pakistan Naval Air Arm. Configured with pulse-compression radar, low frequency dipping sonar, radar warning receiver and doppler navigation system, it is also armed with torpedoes for use aboard Pakistan Navy's F-22P Zulfiquar class frigates.
• Z-9W (WZ-9): Armed version with optional pylon-mounted armament and gyro stabilised, roof-mounted optical sight. Export designation Z-9G, roof-mounted sight optional.
• Z-9WA: A newer night-capable versions have been built with nose-mounted FLIR. July 2011, Xinhua News Agency released a photo of Z-9WA firing ADK10 air-to-ground missile.
• H410A: Version with 635 kW WZ8C turboshaft engines. First flight September 2001, CAAC certification 10 July 2002. One is currently being fitted with a new Mast-Mounted Sighting (MMS) system.
• H425: Newest VIP version of the H410A.
• H450: Projected development.
• WZ-19: Stealthy attack helicopter development with tandem seats. AVIC Group's WZ-19 shares the same power plant as WZ-9WA. Media reports said the WZ-19 attack helicopter in May 2010 completed its first flight. Photos had merged in Chinese internet forums early 2011. In September 2010, a prototype of WZ-19 attack helicopter crashed during test flight.

Operators

Cape Verde

• Cape Verdean Armed Forces - operates 2× Z-9.

China

• People's Liberation Army

Kenya

• Kenya Defence Forces - operates 4× Z-9WA helicopter gunships.

Laos

• Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force - operates 1× Z-9.

Mali

• Mali Air Force - operates 2× Z-9.

Mauritania

• Mauritanian Air Force - operates 1× Z-9, another Z-9 was destroyed in a fire.

Pakistan

• Pakistan Naval Air Arm - operates 12× Z-9EC ASW variant.

Specifications (Z-9B)

Data from SinoDefence.com

General characteristics

• Crew: 2 Pilots
• Capacity: 10 armed soldiers
• Payload: 2,038 kg (4,493 lb)
• Length: 13.46 m (without rotors); 13.68 m (with rotors) (44ft 11in)
• Rotor diameter: ()
• Height: 3.47 m (11ft 4in)
• Empty weight: 2,050 kg (4,519 lb)
• Max. takeoff weight: 4,100 kg (9,038 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Turbomeca Arriel-1C1 (produced under licence as WZ-8A) Turboshaft, 632 kw (847 shp) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 315 km/h, 195 mph (170 kt)
• Cruise speed: 285 km/h, 173 mph (150 kt)
• Range: 1,000 km (621 mi)
• Service ceiling: 6,000 m (20,000 ft)

Armament

2 fixed 23 mm cannons on attack variants. Pylon stores for rockets, gun pods, ET52 torpedo, HJ-8 anti-tank missiles, or TY-90 air-to-air missiles.

See also

Related development

• Eurocopter Dauphin
• Eurocopter Panther
  

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Agusta A109
• Bell 222/230/430
• Sikorsky S-70
  

External links

• AirForceWorld.com Z-9 Helicopter Family
• AirForceWorld.com WZ-19 Attacker Helicopter
• www.sinodefence.com