View source for Harbin Z-9

{{Short description|Series of Chinese utility helicopters}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Infobox aircraft
| name = Z-9
| image = File:Chinese Helicopter Lands on HMS Cornwall MOD 45150752.jpg
| caption = A [[People's Liberation Army Navy|Chinese naval]] Z-9 departs [[HMS Cornwall (F99)|HMS ''Cornwall'']]
| type = Medium multi-purpose [[utility helicopter]]
| national_origin = [[China]]
| manufacturer = [[Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation]]
| first_flight = 1981
| introduction = 1994
| retired = 
| status = In service
| primary_user = [[People's Liberation Army Ground Force]]
| more_users = [[Pakistan Naval Air Arm]]<br>[[Royal Cambodian Air Force]]
| produced = 1981–present
| number_built = 200+
| unit cost = 
| developed_from = [[Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin]]
| variants = [[Harbin Z-19]]
}}

The '''Harbin Z-9''' ([[NATO reporting name]] "'''Haitun'''", {{zh|s=海豚|l=[[Dolphin]]}}<ref name="DS1">{{cite web |url=http://www.designation-systems.net/non-us/soviet.html#_Listings_Misc|title=Designations of Soviet and Russian Military Aircraft and Missiles|first=Andreas|last=Parsch|author2=Aleksey V. Martynov|year=2008|work=Designation-Systems.net|access-date=2010-04-13}}</ref>) is a [[People's Republic of China|Chinese]] military [[utility helicopter]] with [[armed helicopter|armed]] variants, manufactured by [[Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation]]. It is a [[license-built]] variant of the [[France|French]] [[Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin]].

==Design and development==
The first Z-9 flew in [[1981 in aviation|1981]], and was built in China from components supplied by [[Aérospatiale]] as part of a production patent bought on 15 October 1980.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hafei.com/hafeien/hahang_history_80.htm |title=哈尔滨飞机工业集团有限责任公司 |publisher=Hafei.com |access-date=2013-11-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403214416/http://www.hafei.com/hafeien/hahang_history_80.htm |archive-date=3 April 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> 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.<ref name='Z9UH'>{{cite news | title=Z-9 Utility Helicopter | date=2007-01-06 | publisher=SinoDefence.com | url=http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/helicopter/z9.asp | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061230045553/http://sinodefence.com/airforce/helicopter/z9.asp | archive-date=30 December 2006 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The Z-9B features an 11-blade [[Fenestron]] faired-in tail rotor with wider-chord, all-composite blades replacing the 13-blade used in the original AS365N. 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 AS365N 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 AS365N. The Z-9 teardrop-shaped body features a tapered boom to the tail fin, with rounded nose and stepped-up cockpit, retractable gear, and all flat bottom.

In 2002, Harbin obtained Chinese certification for the new H410A variant of the Z-9, which features more powerful [[Turbomeca Arriel|Turbomeca Arriel 2C]] [[turboshaft]] engines; Eurocopter issued official objections to Harbin's decision to continue production in spite of the license-production agreement having expired, leading to a period of highly sensitive international negotiations to resolve the dispute.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2002/2002%20-%202243.html "China Approves Re-engine Z-9 Twin."] ''Flight International'', July 2002. p. 43.</ref>

==Variants==
An [[Armed helicopter|armed]] variant has been fielded by the [[People's Liberation Army|PLA]] since the early 1990s as the '''Z-9W''', with pylons fitted for [[anti-tank missile]]s. These helicopters lack the maneuverability and survivability of a proper attack helicopter, and merely provide a stopgap during the development of the [[WZ-10|Z-10]]. The latest armed version, the '''Z-9W''', was introduced in [[2005 in aviation|2005]] and has night attack capabilities, with an under-nose [[Night vision device|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 [[Search and rescue|SAR]] and [[Anti-submarine warfare|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.<ref name='Z9CNH'>{{cite news | title=Z-9C (AS 565 Panther) Naval Helicopter | date=2007-07-28 | publisher=SinoDefence.com | url=http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/helicopter/z9c.asp | access-date=2008-03-26 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080317041346/http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/helicopter/z9c.asp | archive-date=17 March 2008 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

[[File:PLA Harbin Z-9W 2012 Hong Kong.JPG|thumb|right|Harbin Z-9W]]
;Z-9: License-produced variant of the French [[Aérospatiale Dauphin 2|AS.365N1]].

;Z-9A: Kit-built variant of the [[Aérospatiale Dauphin 2|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.

[[File:PLAN_Z-9_Helicopter.jpg|thumb|right|A PLAN Z-9C helicopter]]
;Z-9C: License-produced variant of the [[Eurocopter Panther|Eurocopter AS.565 Panther]] for 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 frigate|''Zulfiquar''-class frigate]]s.<ref>http://thenews.jang.com.pk/updates.asp?id=87912{{Dead link|date=April 2013}}</ref>

;Z-9EH: Transport, emergency and/or passenger variant.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hafei.com/cp-4.htm|title=航空工业哈尔滨飞机工业集团有限责任公司|website=hafei.com|access-date=16 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413000303/http://www.hafei.com/cp-4.htm|archive-date=13 April 2018|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

;Z-9W: Armed version with optional pylon-mounted armament, gyro stabilization and roof-mounted optical sight. Export designation '''Z-9G''', roof-mounted sight optional. First flown in 1987, with the first weapons tests in 1989.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.army-technology.com/projects/harbin-z9w-attack-helicopter-china/ |title=Harbin Z-9W Attack Helicopter |publisher=Army Technology |date=2011-06-15 |access-date=2013-11-16}}</ref>

[[File:PLAAF Harbin Z-9WA.jpg|thumb|A Harbin Z-9WA]]
;Z-9WA: A newer night-capable version has been built with nose-mounted [[FLIR]]. July 2011, Xinhua News Agency released a photo of Z-9WA firing AKD10 air-to-ground missile.<ref name="AirForceWorld.com_Z-9WA_attack_helicopter">{{cite web |url=http://airforceworld.com/pla/z9-helicopter-china-2.htm#z9wa |title=Z-9WA attack helicopter |work=AirForceWorld.com |access-date=12 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110909123534/http://airforceworld.com/pla/z9-helicopter-china-2.htm#z9wa |archive-date=9 September 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Incorporates a domestic Chinese [[helmet-mounted display|helmet mounted sight]] that is compatible with [[anti-tank missile]]s such as [[HJ-8]] [[HJ-9|/9/]] [[HJ-10|10]], as well as light [[anti-ship missile]]s such as [[C-701]]/[[C-701#C-703|703]] and [[TL-10#TL-1|TL-1/]] [[TL-10|10]] when they are used as [[air-to-surface missile]]s, [[air-to-air missile]]s such as [[TY-90]] and other [[MANPAD]] missiles for self-defense.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://club.china.com/data/thread/1013/2713/82/91/8_1.html|title=Z-9 HMS|publisher=China Internet Information Center|access-date=16 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809193722/http://club.china.com/data/thread/1013/2713/82/91/8_1.html|archive-date=9 August 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

;H410A: Version with 635&nbsp;kW WZ8C turbo-shaft engines. First flight September 2001, CAAC certification 10 July 2002. One is currently being fitted with a new Mast-Mounted Sighting (MMS) system.

[[File:Harbin Z-19.jpg|thumb|A Harbin Z-19 at the China Helicopter Exposition, [[Tianjin]] 2013]]

;H425: Newest VIP version of the H410A.

;H450: Projected development.

;[[Harbin Z-19|Z-19]]: Attack helicopter development with [[tandem|tandem seat]]s. The Z-19 shares the same powerplant as the Z-9WA.

==Operators==
[[File:Harbin Z-9 Users.png|thumb|A map with users of the Harbin Z-9 in blue]]
[[File:Harbin Z-9 Malian Air Force.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Military of Mali#Mali Air Force|Malian Air Force]] Z-9B coming in to land]]
;{{flag|Bangladesh}}
*[[Bangladesh Navy]] (on order)<ref name="World Air Forces 2020">{{cite web |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/reports/world-air-forces-2020/135665.article|title = World Air Forces 2020|publisher= Flightglobal Insight |year= 2020 |access-date= 10 December 2019|url-access=registration}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://helihub.com/2013/07/05/bangladesh-navy-set-to-buy-z-9c-asw-helicopters/|title=Bangladesh Navy set to buy Z-9c asw helicopter|date=5 July 2013 |publisher=Helihub|access-date=5 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/bangladeshi-navy-orders-two-do-228s-for-mpa-mission/125731.article|title=Bangladeshi Navy orders two Do 228s for MPA mission|publisher=Flight Global|access-date=12 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/ops/mil/bangladesh-naval-aviation.htm|title=Bangladesh Naval Aviation|publisher=aeroflight.co.uk|access-date=7 May 2016}}</ref>
;{{flag|Bolivia}}
*[[Bolivian Army]]<ref name=" World Air Forces 2015">{{cite web |url= http://forms.flightglobal.com/WorldAirForces2015?product=PREM&mode=DOWNLOAD&DMDcode=FGWC4&fcid=%7B05ceef25-b72e-4bea-9a83-a7ab7d02e55a%7D_FC078_PREM_201412&fcfileext=pdf |title= World Air Forces 2015 |publisher= Flightglobal Insight |year= 2015 |access-date= 4 January 2015 |archive-date= 19 October 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171019075444/http://forms.flightglobal.com/WorldAirForces2015?product=PREM&mode=DOWNLOAD&DMDcode=FGWC4&fcid=%7B05ceef25-b72e-4bea-9a83-a7ab7d02e55a%7D_FC078_PREM_201412&fcfileext=pdf |url-status= dead }}</ref> 
;{{flag|Cambodia}}
*[[Cambodian Air Force]]<ref name=" World Air Forces 2015"/>
*[[Royal Gendarmerie of Cambodia|Cambodian Gendarmerie]]
;{{flag|Cameroon}}
*[[Cameroon Air Force]]<ref name=" World Air Forces 2015"/>
;{{CHN}}
*[[People's Liberation Army Air Force]]<ref name=" World Air Forces 2015"/>
*[[People's Liberation Army Ground Force|People's Liberation Army Ground Air Force]]
*[[People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force]]<ref name=" World Air Forces 2015"/> 
** [[Type 052D destroyer]]
** [[Type 053 frigate]], [[Type 053H3 frigate]], [[Type 054 frigate]], [[Type 054A frigate]] (Z-9C)
** [[Type 056 corvette]] (Z-9C)
;{{flag|Djibouti}}
*[[Djibouti Air Force|Djiboutian Air Force]]<ref name=" World Air Forces 2015"/>
;{{EQG}}
*[[Armed Forces of Equatorial Guinea]]<ref>[https://www.defensa.com/africa-asia-pacifico/fuerzas-armadas-guinea-ecuatorial-dotan-dos-helicopteros-chinos Las Fuerzas Armadas de Guinea Ecuatorial se dotan con dos helicópteros chinos Harbin Z-9]</ref>
;{{GHA}}
*[[Ghana Air Force]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=40922:ghana-air-force-receives-z-9-helicopters&catid=124:military-helicopters&Itemid=282/|title= Ghana Air Force receives Z-9 helicopters|date= 5 October 2015}}</ref>
;{{KEN}}
*[[Kenya Defence Forces]]<ref name=" World Air Forces 2015"/>
;{{LAO}}
[[File:Aft-deck of the PLAN frigate Yi Yang (FF 548).jpg|thumb|A Z-9 aboard the aft-deck of [[Type 054A frigate]] ''Yiyang'' during a bilateral counter-piracy exercise between China and the US in 2012]]
*[[Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force|Laotian Air Force]]<ref name=" World Air Forces 2015"/>
;{{MLI}}
*[[Military of Mali Air Force|Mali Air Force]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/aged-air-force-inventory-highlights-mali39s-weakness-381004/|title= Aged air force inventory highlights Mali's weakness |publisher= flightglobal.com |access-date=12 January 2015}}</ref>
;{{MRT}}
*[[Military of Mauritania#Air force|Mauritanian Air Force]]<ref name=" World Air Forces 2015"/>
;{{flag|Myanmar}}
*[[State Administration Council]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.armadarotta.com/2023/12/what-is-happening-in-myanmar.html|title=What is Happening in Myanmar - Documenting Equipment Losses in the Myanmar Civil War|date=25 December 2023 }}</ref>
;{{NAM}}
*[[Namibian Air Force]]<ref name=" World Air Forces 2015"/>
;{{PAK}} 
*[[Pakistan Naval Air Arm]]<ref name=" World Air Forces 2015"/>
;{{flag|Zambia}} 
*[[Zambian Air Force]]<ref name=" World Air Forces 2015"/>

==Specifications (Z-9B)==
[[File:Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin orthographical image.svg|right|400px]]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=<ref name="GordonCA">{{cite book|last=Gordon|first=Yefim|author2=Dmitry Komissarov|title=Chinese aircraft|publisher=Hikoki|location=Manchester|year=2008|isbn=9-781902-109046}}</ref><!-- reference -->
|prime units?=met
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=1 or 2 pilots
|capacity=10 passengers or {{convert|1900|kg|lb|abbr=on|0}} payload internal, {{convert|1600|kg|lb|abbr=on|0}} payload slung
|length m=12.11
|height m=4.01
|empty weight kg=2,050
|max takeoff weight kg=4,100
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=2
|eng1 name=[[Zhuzhou Aeroengine Factory WZ-8A]]
|eng1 type=turboshaft
|eng1 kw=632

|rot number=1
|rot dia m=11.94
|rot area sqm=111.98
|rot area note=swept area
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed kmh=305
|cruise speed kmh=260
|ferry range km=1,000
|ferry range note=with internal auxiliary tank
|endurance=5 hours
|ceiling m=4,500
|ceiling note=<br>'''Hovering ceiling in ground effect:''' {{convert|2600|m|ft|abbr=on|0}}<br>'''Hovering ceiling out of ground effect:''' {{convert|1600|m|ft|abbr=on|0}}
<!--
        Armament
-->
|guns=two fixed 23 mm [[Type 23-1 aircraft cannon|Type 23-2 (AM-23)]] cannon on attack variants.
|hardpoints=Pylons for rockets, gun pods, [[ET52 torpedo]], [[HJ-8]] anti-tank missiles, or [[TY-90]] air-to-air missiles.
}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Aviation}}
{{aircontent|
|related=
* [[Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin]]
* [[Eurocopter Panther]]
* [[Harbin Z-19]]
|similar aircraft=
*[[Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk]]
*[[Eurocopter HH-65 Dolphin]]
* [[Agusta A109]]
* [[AgustaWestland AW139]]
* [[Bell Huey family]]
* [[Bell 222|Bell 222/230/430]]
* [[Sikorsky S-76]]
* [[TAI T625]]
* [[HAL Dhruv]] 
|sequence=<!-- designation sequence, if appropriate -->
* [[Aérospatiale Super Frelon|Z-8]] - '''Z-9''' - [[WZ-10]] - [[Changhe Z-11|Z-11]]
|lists=<!-- related lists -->
|see also=
* [[List of utility helicopters]]
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Harbin Z-9}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101027193053/http://www.airforceworld.com/pla/z9-helicopter-china.htm AirForceWorld.com Z-9 Helicopter Family]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070203070920/http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/helicopter/wz9.asp www.sinodefence.com]

{{AVIC Aero Products}}
{{PRC helicopters}}
{{Chinese Military Aircraft}}

[[Category:1990s Chinese attack aircraft]]
[[Category:Military helicopters]]
[[Category:Harbin aircraft]]
[[Category:1990s Chinese helicopters]]
[[Category:1990s Chinese military utility aircraft]]
[[Category:China–France relations]]
[[Category:Twin-turbine helicopters]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1981]]
[[Category:Fantail helicopters]]