Chinese-European transport helo project

AC311 receives Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) light civilian helicopter Type Certification. Also receive order for 62 units. Other articles claim total order is now up to 72 units and delivery starts in July. Serial Production to start.

Domestic AC311 light helicopter by the Type Certificate sold 62 « Military of China, force comment.

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AC311


Video
http://news.v1.cn/war//2012-6-29/134093346048v.shtml

Maybe this is old news to most, but i just now found out the engine for z15, which as far as i could find will be from turbomeca's engine made in china under name wz16, is basically ardiden3. it is supposed to be a family of subvariants with power raning from 1750 to 2000 hp. Testing will go on through 2013. and certification is expected in 2014. I would guess start of production of wz16 and thus z15 could then start around 2015 with in-service date around 2016.

Good things is that this is a bit more powerful than the pwc engine ec175 will use. even turbomeca says it was made for helicopters 6-8 tons in range. Since ec175 with pwc engines has already increased its weight class to 7,5 tons, it is not unrealistic that z15 with wz16 engine could actually approach 8 ton range.

i might have missed people posting this, but this piece of news has been out there for a while now.

China to obtain 55 Mi-171E transport helicopters

It's not a surprise that China continues to buy Mi-171E helicopters, since they have served PLA pretty well and are probably cheaper than domestic options.

The reason they continue to buy Mi171 is because China doesn't have any domestic equivalent, Z8 is a lot larger and Z15 doesn't meet PLA's requirement to have a rear loading ramp. The latter is also the reason that a proposal to produce a Blackhawk clone was shot down. If PLA indeed wants to buy Z15 for military purpose it'll be their next gen shipborne helicopter.

utility helos for army are still quite necessary. z9 could be more useful if it could lift more weight. i dont think majority of utility or cargo missions require oversized cargo to be carried inside a helo. most cargo can be carried on a sling and infantry can, of course, do okay from side loading doors as well.

z8 isnt really that much larger than mi171. z8 can lift around 6 tons of fuel/cargo, perhaps 6.5 for the newest variants; while mi171 can lift 5.5 tons (and mi17v7 can lift 6 tons)

I do believe we will see z15 in both army and navy, in fairly large numbers. When the development ends, of course. Since Turbomeca's ardiden 3 engine isnt quite ready yet, chinese version of it can't be ready either. We will have to wait another two to four years before we start seeing z15 in service.

I was thinking of Z-8 as the domestic option, but clearly it makes more sense for PLA to just continue to purchase Mi-171s. The one project we haven't heard much about recently is the large helo project they are working on with the Russians.

Mi-171 is a good helo, rear ramp, performs in all conditions, very easy maintanence, low cost, can take damage and is simple to use

but China has built AC313 which also has a rear ramp and should be cheaper since it is built in China, but then why make the change

but China needs something home built in the medium and heavy lift catergory, Z15 is simply not enough especially for PLA

Originally Posted by asif iqbal

Mi-171 is a good helo, rear ramp, performs in all conditions, very easy maintanence, low cost, can take damage and is simple to use

but China has built AC313 which also has a rear ramp and should be cheaper since it is built in China, but then why make the change

but China needs something home built in the medium and heavy lift catergory, Z15 is simply not enough especially for PLA

Why do you think Z8F would be cheaper? Let along AC313 which uses entirely western electronics and power plant. The last I heard Z8F is much more expensive than the mass produced, mature, and simpler Mi171.

Originally Posted by asif iqbal

Mi-171 is a good helo, rear ramp, performs in all conditions, very easy maintanence, low cost, can take damage and is simple to use

but China has built AC313 which also has a rear ramp and should be cheaper since it is built in China, but then why make the change

but China needs something home built in the medium and heavy lift catergory, Z15 is simply not enough especially for PLA

Not true. Things make in China might not necessary mean it is cheaper as compared to those that had been made by other countries. You have to factor in the R&D cost too.

MI-17 is cheaper than helos from US or euorpe, this is according to the US,when they purchased MI-17 to euipt the afghan army.same is said by the egyptian army spokeman.

Originally Posted by hmmwv

Why do you think Z8F would be cheaper? Let along AC313 which uses entirely western electronics and power plant. The last I heard Z8F is much more expensive than the mass produced, mature, and simpler Mi171.

That’s true I forgot AC313 was using Western power plant etc maybe Mi-171 is cheaper

China has around 210 x Mi-17 series helicopters in operation, but something doesn’t add up with the delivery’s, I count only 142, where did the rest come from?

Delivery’s from Russia

24 x M-i17 between 1990-1991
35 x Mi-171 between 1996-1997
15 x Mi-171 between 1999-2000
35 x Mi-17V5 between 2002-2003
24 x Mi-17 between 2006-2007
9 x Mi-171 between 2007-2011 under licence

Total 142

From Russia, of course:

MI-17 (Ulan-Ude) 24 1991
MI-171 (Ulan-Ude) 60 1997
MI-17V5 (Kazan) 35 2002
MI-17V5 (Kazan) 25 2003-2004
MI-171 (Ulan-Ude) 24 2006-2007
MI-171 (Ulan-Ude) 32/34 2010-2011
MI-171 (Ulan-Ude) 52/55 2012-2014

This is basically an update of what Sinodefence.com’s list. So there already about 200, growing to 252-257 by 2014. The first 8 MI-171 will be delivered this year.

Ah ok thanks for that, I just counted less for almost similar years this recent order is by far the largest we've seen for Mi-171

From a while ago, but China plans to get 20 KA-32AllBC

China will acquire 20 Ka-32A11BC helicopters - News - Russian Aviation - RUAVIATION.COM

Russian Ка-32 helicopter has won the Chinese tender and China will acquire 20 Ka-32A11BCs, Aviation EXplorer reports with reference to reliable source.

«Long-awaited and worthy victory. Several tenders will take part in different regions of China, so the number of Kamov helicopters in the country may increase», - the source noted.

Ka-32A11BC is a multi-role version of Ка-32А helicopter. The vehicle may be used for transportation of suspended loads and as a flying crane helicopter for mounting of high-rise constructions. The coaxial arrangement of Ka-32A11BC gives it several significant advantages in the area of hovering precision and helicopter’s maneuverability, thus the vehicle is able to perform complex mounting operations. Ka-32A11BC is able to perform a wide range of tasks, including horizontal high-altitude fire-fighting using water cannon.

Ka-32A11BC is developed by Kamov design bureau, which forms part of Russian Helicopters Holding Company. The serial production of Ka-32A11BC is carried out by Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise. More than 140 helicopters have already been manufactured and about half of them are operated in 30 countries all over the world.

At present Ка-32А11BC is certified in the world’s largest regions: North and South America, Europe and Asia. In particular, the helicopter has received the type certificate in Brazil and India (2011), in Europe (2009, EASA.IM.R.133 certificate). Ка-32А11BC has been certified in China, Indonesia and South Korea in 2008, in Chile (2007) and in Mexico – in 2005. The helicopter has acquired a supplement to the type certificate in Canada in 2006, which allowed transportation of official passengers (the original certificate has been issued by Canada in 1998).

Ka-32 helicopters are successfully operated by national operators of Spain, Portugal, Colombia, Switzerland, Canada, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, China and other countries. The helicopters are also leased to foreign companies from Brazil and Chile.

made some news, because this pieces of news I saw

今天落户北京的俄罗斯大型直升机组装生产项目是中国首个俄系大型直升机制造业项目。它生产的K a-32A11BC大型直升机适用于城市消防、森林灭火、医疗救护、海上搜救、灾害应急救援、维稳反恐、极地作 业等众多领域。(卡-32直升机是俄罗斯卡莫夫直升机公司专为消防设计研制的双发通用直升机。该机型拥有共轴双旋翼，具有良好的 操控性和悬停稳定性，最大飞行半径800公里，最大载水量可达4.5吨，0.8米水深即可取水，只需71秒 便能吸满水箱，并在短时间内到达火灾现场。拥有出色的吊运能力和抗风能力。不仅非常适用森林航空消防，还可 适应复杂地形和天气作业，广泛应用于城市消防、搜索救援、复杂高层建筑安装和海上作业等。卡-32A11BC直升机是卡-32A直升机的多用途升级型号，是罕有的外部悬挂式货运机型，在高层结构作业时有如“飞行的起重机”。同时 ，卡-32A11BC共轴载波系统在悬吊精度和机体灵活度方面拥有诸多重要优点，使得它可以执行高度复杂的装配作 业。)

中俄直升机制造有限公司副总经理梁吉安介绍，落户北京的项目计划建设期为两年，规划占地千余亩，总投资额4 0亿元人民币，首期设计产能为年产30架俄系大型直升机，年产值约30亿元人民币。同时，该项目还配套建设 直升机研发、设计机构，计划5-7年内消化技术，由大部件组装逐步过渡到60%以上部件的国产化水平，形成原型机改装和新型机自主研发、设 计、生产能力。

states that Ka-32 will be locally produced in Beijing. Designed to increase production to 30 ka-32 a year. They are hoping to achieve 60% + localization in 5 to 7 years.