Z-9 utility helicopter - family & versions

by78 said:

Avicopter AC312C makes its first appearance. AC312C is evolved from the Z-9.

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Really? I thought it is a totally new design?

Deino said:

Really? I thought it is a totally new design?

Click to expand...

Is it? If so, I stand corrected. My info is from 2013 and maybe out of date, but the designation seems to imply some connection to AC312, which is the Eurocopter Dauphin.

I don't know any technical difference between AC312C and other Z-9 derivatives, but according to this 2016 article
from the perspective of type certification AC312C is a new design unrelated to Z-9, that is it is certified through every steps without consideration of Z-9's performance, characteristics and qualifications.

AC312C型机是公司在充分市场调研的基础上，按照CCAR-29（R1）的要求全新设计的一款先进直升机

AC312C is ...... newly designed according to CCAR-29 (R1) regulation

A Z-9 in naval low-visibility paint scheme.

A new variant of the Z-9 (designated AC312E) is being developed for geophysical remote sensing.

A very rare sight. Two Z-9s with mast mounted MMW radars. Apologies for the low image quality, but none better could be found.

A PAP Z-9 with mast-mounted radar.

(Continued from above...)

A PAP Z-9 with a mast-mounted radar.

Z-9DE (from Dino X post). Export dedicated anti-surface warfare variant? Four ASCMs fitted. KLC-3B radar possibly fitted - similar configuration to AS565MB


Saudi Navy AS565MB