Z-8 and Z-18 transport helicopter - family & versions

Blitzo

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They have so many Mi-17s and variants in service and they've probably built up such a large support network for the helicopters that it's probably more effective just to keep using them. Hell I expect the PLA to keep buying Mi-17s alongside Z-18s and Z-20s because Z-18 and Z-20 production rates won't be enough to satisfy the combined demands of army aviation, naval aviation and air force.

However I do expect and hope to see older Z-9s and Z-8 variants eventually being retired.
 

asif iqbal

Lieutenant General
To me certainly looks like second Z-20 prototype

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pipaster

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Just a small remark especially to the different tail-boom design of both the PLA Z-18A and the three Z-18-naval versions ... IMO it's a bit strange that the design is so much different !

Deino


View attachment 11403

IMO this has to do with the structural requirements of putting in that loading bay ramp on the z-18a. This resulted in a redesign being required of the structures surrounding it.
 

Blitzo

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IMO this has to do with the structural requirements of putting in that loading bay ramp on the z-18a. This resulted in a redesign being required of the structures surrounding it.

Well the legacy Z-8A for the army which also has the loading ramp also has the same tail as its naval counterparts, so I doubt the loading ramp is the reason.
 

pipaster

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The only other question would be: has the propulsion system changed (transmission/engines)? The AC313 AFAIK is designed without the ramp, don't really know how much re-engineering it went through though (from the Frelon).
 
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