Harbin Z-9 (original) (raw)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Series of Chinese utility helicopters

Z-9
A Chinese naval Z-9 departs HMS Cornwall
General information
Type Medium multi-purpose utility helicopter
National origin China
Manufacturer Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation
Status In service
Primary users People's Liberation Army Ground Force Pakistan Naval Air ArmRoyal Cambodian Air Force
Number built 200+
History
Manufactured 1981–present
Introduction date 1994
First flight 1981
Developed from Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin
Variants Harbin Z-19

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.

Design and development

[edit]

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]

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.

A map with users of the Harbin Z-9 in blue

A Malian Air Force Z-9B coming in to land

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)

[edit]

Data from [19]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

  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. ^ 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.
  13. ^ "武警湖南省总队直升机接装仪式直8直9现身_行业动态__公共安全装备网公共安全装备网". www.e110119.com. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  14. ^ "为生命护航-贵州公安搭起救援"空中通道"". Guizhou Radio TV station [zh]. 24 October 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
  15. ^ Las Fuerzas Armadas de Guinea Ecuatorial se dotan con dos helicópteros chinos Harbin Z-9
  16. ^ "Ghana Air Force receives Z-9 helicopters". 5 October 2015.
  17. ^ "Aged air force inventory highlights Mali's weakness". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  18. ^ "What is Happening in Myanmar - Documenting Equipment Losses in the Myanmar Civil War". 25 December 2023.
  19. ^ Gordon, Yefim; Dmitry Komissarov (2008). Chinese aircraft. Manchester: Hikoki. ISBN 9-781902-109046.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Harbin Z-9.