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

by78 said:

It should be the same as the Z-8L because AC313A is simply the civilian version.

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... but with different engines as it seems? Or am I wrong?

by the way, according to this post and image on Weibo it appears, a dedicated EW/ECM variant (Z-8GD?) for the battlefield electronic jamming purpose similar to Russian Mi-8PPA is being developed ... Clearly visible are large antennas mounted on both sides of the mid-fuselage.

Deino said:

... but with different engines as it seems? Or am I wrong?

View attachment 82707

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You could be right. I was merely assuming that it will use the same engines.

A magazine scan of Z-8Ls.

AC313A iron bird has successfully completed ground test runs, marking another step toward maiden flight.

A few more high-resolution images of the AC313A iron bird.

For some reason the civilian version feels like it looks more solid and modern, even looks a little like a NH90

sndef888 said:

For some reason the civilian version feels like it looks more solid and modern, even looks a little like a NH90

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Agreed … and in fact my feeling tells me, this would be an ideal type for the PLAN Marines.

Deino said:

Agreed … and in fact my feeling tells me, this would be an ideal type for the PLAN Marines.

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Need to relocate the fuel tank and increase side door size.

Mo

sndef888 said:

For some reason the civilian version feels like it looks more solid and modern, even looks a little like a NH90

Click to expand...

sndef888 said:

For some reason the civilian version feels like it looks more solid and modern, even looks a little like a NH90

Click to expand...

It's more close to Sikorsky S-92, especially those two huge external feul tanks in short wing.

Self-explanatory.