Harbin Z-9

The Harbin Z-9 (NATO reporting name "Haitun", 海豚 for Dolphin ) is a Chinese military utility helicopter. It is a license-built version of the French Eurocopter AS365 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 as part of a production patent bought on October 15, 1980. 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.

In 2002, Harbin obtained Chinese certification for the new H410A variant of the Z-9, which featured 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.

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. First flown in 1987, with the first weapons tests in 1989.


 * 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. 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.


 * 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.

Operators

 * 🇧🇴 Bolivia
 * Bolivian Army
 * 🇰🇭 Cambodia
 * Cambodian Air Force (12 on order)
 * People's Liberation Army Air Force
 * People's Liberation Navy
 * Ghana Air Force
 * Kenya Defence Forces
 * Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force
 * undefined
 * Mali Air Force
 * undefined
 * Mauritanian Air Force
 * Namibian Air Force
 * Pakistan Naval Air Arm
 * 🇻🇪 Venezuela
 * Venezuelan Navy
 * 🇿🇲 Zambia
 * Zambian Air Force
 * Pakistan Naval Air Arm
 * 🇻🇪 Venezuela
 * Venezuelan Navy
 * 🇿🇲 Zambia
 * Zambian Air Force
 * Zambian Air Force