| Z-9 | |
|---|---|
 AChinese naval Z-9 departsHMSCornwall | |
| General information | |
| Type | Medium multi-purposeutility helicopter |
| National origin | China |
| Manufacturer | Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | People's Liberation Army Ground Force |
| Number built | 200+ |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1981–present |
| Introduction date | 1994 |
| First flight | 1981 |
| Developed from | Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin |
| Variant | Harbin Z-19 |
TheHarbin Z-9 (NATO reporting name "Haitun",Chinese:海豚;lit. 'Dolphin'[1]) is aChinese militaryutility helicopter witharmed variants, manufactured byHarbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation. It is alicense-built variant of theFrenchEurocopter AS365 Dauphin.
The first Z-9 flew in1981, and was built in China from components supplied byAérospatiale as part of a production patent bought on 15 October 1980.[2] On 16 January 1992, the indigenous variantZ-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-bladeFenestron 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 powerfulTurbomeca Arriel 2Cturboshaft 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]
Anarmed variant has been fielded by thePLA since the early 1990s as theZ-9W, with pylons fitted foranti-tank missiles. These helicopters lack the maneuverability and survivability of a proper attack helicopter, and merely provide a stopgap during the development of theZ-10. The latest armed version, theZ-9W, was introduced in2005 and has night attack capabilities, with an under-noselow-light TV andinfra-red observing and tracking unit.
The naval version introduced in the 1990s is known as theZ-9C. As well asSAR andASW duties, the Z-9C can be fitted with anX-band KLC-1 surface search radar to detect surface targets beyond the range of shipborne radar systems.[5]
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Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
