Harbin Z-9

Harbin Z-9
A Malinese Air Force Z-9B coming in to land.
Role	Medium multi-purpose utility helicopter
Manufacturer	Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation
First flight	1981
Introduction	1994
Status	Operational In production
Primary users	China Pakistan
Produced	1981-present
Number built	200
Developed from	Aérospatiale Dauphin
Variants	Harbin Z-19

The Harbin Z-9 (NATO reporting name "Haitun", Chinese language: 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.

Harbin Z-9W (WZ-9)

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)

China

• People's Liberation Army Air Force
• People's Liberation Navy

Ghana

• Ghana Air Force

Kenya

• Kenya Defence Forces

Laos

• Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force

Mali

• Mali Air Force

Mauritania

• Mauritanian Air Force

Namibia

• Namibian Air Force

Pakistan

• Pakistan Naval Air Arm

Venezuela

• Venezuelan Navy

Zambia

• Zambian Air Force

Specifications (Z-9B)

Data from

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Capacity: 9 passengers or 1,900 kg (4,189 lb) payload internal, 1,600 kg (3,527 lb) payload slung
• Length: 11.44 m (37 ft 6 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: 11.93 m (39 ft 2 in)
• Main rotor area: 111.79 m² (1,203.3 sq ft) swept area

Performance

• Maximum speed: 305 km/h (190 mph; 165 kn)
• Cruising speed: 260 km/h (162 mph; 140 kn)
• Ferry range: 1,000 km (621 mi; 540 nmi) with internal auxiliary tank
• Endurance: 5 hours
• Service ceiling: 4,500 m (14,764 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

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

See also

• Eurocopter Dauphin
• Eurocopter Panther
• Agusta A109
• Bell 222/230/430
• Sikorsky S-70
• Z-8 - Z-9 - WZ-10 - Z-11
• List of utility helicopters

External links

• AirForceWorld.com Z-9 Helicopter Family
• www.sinodefence.com