Notable changes include a redesigned lower fuselage similar to the AC313 which results in larger internal space.[3] It also reportedly makes greater use of titanium and composites in its rotor blades and rotor,[4] and replaces the Z-8's boat-shaped lower fuselage with a tail ramp for small vehicles.[1] It has aglass cockpit[2] and is powered by threeWZ-6C turboshafts.[2][1]
The Z-18'smaximum takeoff weight (MTOW) is 13.8 tonnes. In late-2014, the onlyPeople's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships able to operate the helicopter at MTOW were aircraft carriers and large amphibious assault ships.[4]
The army transport Z-18A first appeared in Chinese state media in December 2014, and reportedly underwent high-altitude testing on the Tibetan Plateau in January 2015.[2] The Z-18A reached an altitude of 9,000 m (29,528 ft) during testing.[1]
PLA Navy Z-18 in Zhuhai Airshow 2024, with the visible folding tailPLAGF Z-8L with its widened airframe
Z-18: Naval transport variant with folding tail boom and rotor blades. Features a nosed mounted weather radar and FLIR/TV turret.[5]
Z-18A / Z-8G: Transport variant with extended nose expected to replace Z-8A/B. Features a nose mounted terrain-following radar.[2] Multiple subvariants with differing equipment configurations such as:SATCOM fairing on tailboom, flare/chaff launchers + MAWS/RWR/LWR sensors on fuselage and sponsons, QJH001 machine gun on side door, ECM equipment on fuselage, retractable SAR radar replacing rear ramp etc.
Z-8L: Transport variant with wide-body fuselage and enlarged fuelsponsons, first spotted in January 2019.[6] The internal width of the load area has been increased from 1.8m to 2.4 m, making it larger than old Z-8 and SA321 variants.[7] Features a nose mounted terrain-following radar. Multiple subvariants with differing equipment configurations such as:SATCOM fairing on tailboom, flare launchers + LWR/RWR sensors on sponsons, RWR/MAWS sensors on front fuselage, roof mounted FLIR etc.
Z-18F: ASW variant with chin-mounted surface search radar, dipping sonar, and may be equipped with up to four lightweight torpedoes and 32 sonobuoys.[4]
Z-18J:Airborne early warning (AEW) variant, with a lowerable radar antenna in place of the ramp. The radar has a range of 320 km.[8][4]
