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Harbin Z-9

The Harbin Z-9 (NATO reporting name "Haitun", Chinese: 海豚; lit. 'Dolphin'[1]) is a Chinese military utility helicopter with armed variants, manufactured by Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation. It is a license-built variant of the French Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin.

Z-9
A Chinese naval Z-9 departs HMS Cornwall
General information
TypeMedium multi-purpose utility helicopter
National originChina
ManufacturerHarbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation
StatusIn service
Primary usersPeople's Liberation Army Ground Force
Number built200+
History
Manufactured1981–present
Introduction date1994
First flight1981
Developed fromEurocopter AS365 Dauphin
VariantsHarbin Z-19

Design and development

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The first Z-9 flew in 1981, and was built in China from components supplied by Aérospatiale as part of a production patent bought on 15 October 1980.[2] 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.[3]

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 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.[4]

Variants

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An armed variant has been fielded by the PLA since the early 1990s as the 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 Z-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.[5]

 
Harbin Z-9W
Z-9
License-produced variant of the French AS.365N1.
Z-9A
Kit-built variant 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
Production version based on Z-9A-100. Multi-role.
 
A PLAN Z-9C helicopter
Z-9C
License-produced variant of the 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 Zulfiquar-class frigates.[6]
Z-9G
Export version of the WZ-9 gunship.[7]
Z-9EH
Transport, emergency and/or passenger variant.[8]
Z-9W
Also known as WZ-9. Armed version with optional pylon-mounted armament, gyro stabilization and roof-mounted optical sight. Export designation Z-9G, roof-mounted sight optional.[7] First flown in 1987, with the first weapons tests in 1989.[9]
 
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.[10] Incorporates a domestic Chinese helmet mounted sight that is compatible with anti-tank missiles such as HJ-8 /9/ 10, as well as light anti-ship missiles such as C-701/703 and TL-1/ 10 when they are used as air-to-surface missiles, air-to-air missiles such as TY-90 and other MANPAD missiles for self-defense.[11]
Z-9Z
Prototype reconnaissance version.[7]
H410A
Version with 635 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.
 
A Harbin Z-19 at the China Helicopter Exposition, Tianjin 2013
H425
Newest VIP version of the H410A.
H450
Projected development.
Z-19
Attack helicopter development with tandem seats. The Z-19 shares the same powerplant as the Z-9WA.

Operators

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A map with users of the Harbin Z-9 in blue
 
A Malian Air Force Z-9B coming in to land
  Bangladesh
  Bolivia
  Cambodia
  Cameroon
  China
  Djibouti
  Equatorial Guinea
  Ghana
  Kenya
  Laos
 
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
  Mali
  Mauritania
  Myanmar
  Namibia
  Pakistan
  Zambia

Specifications (Z-9B)

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Data from [21]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1 or 2 pilots
  • Capacity: 10 passengers or 1,900 kg (4,189 lb) payload internal, 1,600 kg (3,527 lb) payload slung
  • Length: 12.11 m (39 ft 9 in)
  • Height: 4.01 m (13 ft 2 in)
  • Empty weight: 2,050 kg (4,519 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 4,100 kg (9,039 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Zhuzhou Aeroengine Factory WZ-8A turboshaft, 632 kW (848 hp) each
  • Main rotor diameter: 11.94 m (39 ft 2 in)
  • Main rotor area: 111.98 m2 (1,205.3 sq ft) swept area

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 305 km/h (190 mph, 165 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 260 km/h (160 mph, 140 kn)
  • Ferry range: 1,000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) with internal auxiliary tank
  • Endurance: 5 hours
  • Service ceiling: 4,500 m (14,800 ft)
    Hovering ceiling in ground effect: 2,600 m (8,530 ft)
    Hovering ceiling out of ground effect: 1,600 m (5,249 ft)

Armament

See also

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Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

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  1. ^ Parsch, Andreas; Aleksey V. Martynov (2008). "Designations of Soviet and Russian Military Aircraft and Missiles". Designation-Systems.net. Retrieved 13 April 2010.
  2. ^ "哈尔滨飞机工业集团有限责任公司". Hafei.com. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
  3. ^ "Z-9 Utility Helicopter". SinoDefence.com. 6 January 2007. Archived from the original on 30 December 2006.
  4. ^ "China Approves Re-engine Z-9 Twin." Flight International, July 2002. p. 43.
  5. ^ "Z-9C (AS 565 Panther) Naval Helicopter". SinoDefence.com. 28 July 2007. Archived from the original on 17 March 2008. Retrieved 26 March 2008.
  6. ^ http://thenews.jang.com.pk/updates.asp?id=87912[dead link‍]
  7. ^ a b c "Worldwide Equipment Guide – Volume 2: Airspace and Air Defense Systems" (PDF). United States Army Training and Doctrine Command. December 2011. p. 2-14 – via Defense Technical Information Center.
  8. ^ "航空工业哈尔滨飞机工业集团有限责任公司". hafei.com. Archived from the original on 13 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  9. ^ "Harbin Z-9W Attack Helicopter". Army Technology. 15 June 2011. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
  10. ^ "Z-9WA attack helicopter". AirForceWorld.com. Archived from the original on 9 September 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
  11. ^ "Z-9 HMS". China Internet Information Center. Archived from the original on 9 August 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  12. ^ "World Air Forces 2020". Flightglobal Insight. 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  13. ^ "Bangladesh Navy set to buy Z-9c asw helicopter". Helihub. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  14. ^ "Bangladeshi Navy orders two Do 228s for MPA mission". Flight Global. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  15. ^ "Bangladesh Naval Aviation". aeroflight.co.uk. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "World Air Forces 2015". Flightglobal Insight. 2015. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  17. ^ Las Fuerzas Armadas de Guinea Ecuatorial se dotan con dos helicópteros chinos Harbin Z-9
  18. ^ "Ghana Air Force receives Z-9 helicopters". 5 October 2015.
  19. ^ "Aged air force inventory highlights Mali's weakness". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  20. ^ "What is Happening in Myanmar - Documenting Equipment Losses in the Myanmar Civil War". 25 December 2023.
  21. ^ Gordon, Yefim; Dmitry Komissarov (2008). Chinese aircraft. Manchester: Hikoki. ISBN 9-781902-109046.
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