Changhe Z-11

Last updated
Z-11
Changhe Z-11WB, Zhuhai-Jinwan 4th November 2016 (31829381252).jpg
A Changhe Z-11WB on display at the 2016 China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition.
RoleLight utility helicopter
National origin China
Manufacturer Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation
First flight22 December 1994
IntroductionSeptember 1998
StatusActive, In production
Primary user People's Liberation Army Ground Force
Produced1994-present
Developed from Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil

The Changhe Z-11 is a light utility helicopter developed by Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAIC). According to the Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation website, it is claimed to be the first indigenously-designed helicopter in China. However, it is largely based on the Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil. [1]

Contents

Development

The Z-11 project started in 1989 and the first flight was made in Dec 1994. In Oct 2000, test flights of Z-11 were completed. The chief designer of Z-11 is Mr. Wu Ximing (吴希明), who is also the chief designer of three other Chinese helicopters, including the Z-10. Under Mr. Wu, the Z-11 became the first Chinese helicopter to be completely designed using CAD/CAM techniques. [2]

The Z-11WB, the attack and reconnaissance variant, features pintle mount weapons and two weapon pylons on each side of the aircraft. [3] The engine is replaced by Turbomeca Arriel 2B1A turboshaft engine developing 632 kW (848 shp) of power. [4]

Variants

Z-11
original unarmed version.
Z-11W
military version of the Z-11 (battlefield surveillance and reconnaissance, ground attack, and medical evacuation roles) [2]
Z-11WA
military reconnaissance and observation helicopter, fitted with a sensor pod. [2]
Z-11MB1
civilian and commercial version fitted with French Arriel 2B1A engine [5]
Z-11ME1
export civilian and commercial version.
CZ-11W
export light attack helicopter variation. [6] It is powered by one WZ-8D, LTS101-700D-2 or Arriel 2B1A turboshaft engine and is equipped with integrated avionics systems, antitank missiles, rockets and machine guns. The helicopter is fitted with a targeting sensor turret, and can carry four Chinese HJ-8 antitank missiles. [5]
Z-11WB
First flight on 28 September 2015. Officially unveiled at Zhuhai Airshow on 1 November 2016. Enhanced attack/reconnaissance variant with a new EO ball, redesigned cockpit, SW-6 UAV, and pylons for weapons. Its roles include ground support, attack, battlefield reconnaissance, command, counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics, counter-smuggling, and other tasks. [7] [4]

Specifications (Z-11J)

Data fromJane's All The World's Aircraft 2010–2011 [8]

General characteristics

13.01 m (43 ft) with rotors turning
450 kW (603 hp) max. continuous
350 kW (469 hp) cruise

(can also fit Honeywell LTS101-700D-2 and Turbomeca Arriel 2B1A turboshaft engine)

Performance

Armament

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurocopter MH-65 Dolphin</span> Series of search-and-rescue helicopters

The Eurocopter MH-65 Dolphin is a twin-engined helicopter operated by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) for medevac-capable search and rescue (SAR) and armed Airborne Use of Force missions. It is a variant of the French-built Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin</span> Multi-role helicopter family by Aérospatiale

The EurocopterAS365 Dauphin (Dolphin), also formerly known as the Aérospatiale SA 365 Dauphin 2, is a medium-weight multipurpose twin-engine helicopter produced by Airbus Helicopters. It was originally developed and manufactured by French firm Aérospatiale, which was merged into the multinational Eurocopter company during the 1990s. Since entering production in 1975, the type has been in continuous production for more than 40 years. The intended successor to the Dauphin is the Airbus Helicopters H160, which entered operational service in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AgustaWestland AW109</span> Turbine helicopter by Leonardo

The AgustaWestland AW109, originally the Agusta A109, is a lightweight, twin-engine, eight-seat multi-purpose helicopter designed and initially produced by the Italian rotorcraft manufacturer Agusta. It was the first all-Italian helicopter to be mass-produced. Its production has been continued by Agusta's successor companies, presently Leonardo S.p.A..

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agusta A129 Mangusta</span> Family of attack helicopters by Agusta, later AgustaWestland

The Agusta A129 Mangusta is an attack helicopter originally designed and produced by Italian company Agusta. It is the first attack helicopter to be designed and produced wholly in Europe. It has continued to be developed by AgustaWestland, the successor company to Agusta. It has been exclusively operated by the Italian Army, which introduced the type to service during 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurocopter AS532 Cougar</span> Utility helicopter

The Eurocopter AS532 Cougar is a twin-engine, medium-weight, multipurpose helicopter developed by Eurocopter. The AS532 is a development and upgrade of the Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma in its militarized form. Its civilian counterpart is the Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma. The AS532 has been further developed as the Eurocopter EC725.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurocopter AS565 Panther</span> Military utility helicopter

The EurocopterAS565 Panther is the military version of the Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin medium-weight multi-purpose twin-engine helicopter. The Panther is used for a wide range of military roles, including combat assault, fire support, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, search and rescue, and medical evacuation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikorsky S-76</span> American medium-size commercial utility helicopter

The Sikorsky S-76 is a medium-size commercial utility helicopter designed and produced by the American helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft. It is the company's first helicopter specifically developed for the civilian market.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon</span> Type of aircraft

The AérospatialeSA 321 Super Frelon is a three-engined heavy transport helicopter produced by aerospace manufacturer Sud Aviation of France. It held the distinction of being the most powerful helicopter to be built in Europe at one point, as well as being the world's fastest helicopter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Changhe Z-10</span> Chinese attack helicopter

The Changhe Z-10 is a Chinese medium attack helicopter developed for the People's Liberation Army Ground Force. It is designed primarily for anti-tank warfare missions but has secondary air-to-air combat capability as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil</span> Single engine series of the Ecureuil light helicopter family

The Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil, now Airbus Helicopters H125, is a single-engine light utility helicopter originally designed and manufactured in France by Aérospatiale and Eurocopter. In North America, the AS350 is marketed as the AStar. The AS355 Ecureuil 2 is a twin-engine variant, marketed in North America as the TwinStar. The Eurocopter EC130 is a derivative of the AS350 airframe and is considered by the manufacturer to be part of the Écureuil single-engine family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurocopter Fennec</span> Type of aircraft

The EurocopterAS550 Fennec and AS555 Fennec 2 are lightweight, multipurpose military helicopters manufactured by Eurocopter Group. Based on the AS350 Ecureuil and AS355 Ecureuil 2 series, they are named after the fennec fox. The armed versions of the AS550 and AS555 can be fitted with coaxial weapons, rockets, torpedoes and various other munitions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harbin Z-9</span> Series of Chinese utility helicopters

The Harbin Z-9 is a Chinese military utility helicopter with civilian variants. It is a licensed variant of the French Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin, and is manufactured by Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurocopter EC130</span> Single-engine light helicopter

The EurocopterEC130 is a single engine light utility helicopter developed from the earlier Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil, one of the primary changes from which was the adoption of a Fenestron anti-torque device in place of a conventional tail rotor. It was launched and produced by the Eurocopter Group, which would later be rebranded as Airbus Helicopters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurocopter AS355 Écureuil 2</span> Type of aircraft

The EurocopterAS355 Écureuil 2 is a twin-engine light utility helicopter developed and originally manufactured by Aérospatiale in France

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurocopter EC155</span> Type of aircraft

The Eurocopter EC155 is a long-range medium-lift passenger transport helicopter developed by Eurocopter from its Dauphin family for civil aviation use. It is a twin-engined aircraft and can carry up to 13 passengers along with 1 or 2 crew, depending on customer configuration. The helicopter is marketed for passenger transport, offshore support, VIP corporate transport and casualty transport duties. In 2015, the EC155 was formally renamed to the H155, in line with Eurocopter's corporate rebranding as Airbus Helicopters.

The Kamov Ka-126 is a Soviet light utility helicopter with co-axial rotors. Evolved from Ka-26 with engine pods removed from stub wings, fitted with one TVO-100 turboshaft engine positioned on top of fuselage, modified rotor blades, new fuel system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harbin Z-19</span> Chinese reconnaissance and attack helicopter

The Harbin Z-19 is a Chinese light reconnaissance/attack helicopter developed by Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation (HAMC) for the People's Liberation Army Air Force and the Ground Force Army Aviation. It is a specialized combat variant of the Harbin Z-9, which is a license-built version of the Eurocopter Dauphin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harbin/CHDRI Z-6</span> Chinese helicopter

The Harbin/CHDRI Z-6,, is a Chinese helicopter development based on the Harbin Z-5, itself a licence-built / reverse engineered Mil Mi-4. A limited production run was terminated after performance was found to be inferior to its Z-5 progenitor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harbin Z-20</span> Chinese medium-lift utility helicopter

The Harbin Z-20 is a Chinese medium-lift utility helicopter produced by the Harbin Aircraft Industry Group (HAIG). It was first flown on 23 December 2013 and has a maximum takeoff weight in the range of 10 tonnes (22,000 lb). The Z-20 can operate from locations above 4,000 m (13,000 ft) in altitude as well as from the Liaoning aircraft carrier. It is regarded to be comparable in performance to the US-made Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, of which the civilian Sikorsky S-70C-2 variant has been used by the People's Liberation Army since 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Changhe Z-18</span> Chinese medium-lift transport helicopter

The Changhe Z-18, also known as Z-8G, is a medium-lift transport helicopter developed by Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAIC) to replace the Changhe/Harbin Z-8.

References

  1. "Z-11 light military transport helicopter". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 "Z11". Military Today.
  3. "Z-11WB". Military Today.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Airshow China 2016: Z-11WB military helicopter makes official debut". Janes. 2 November 2016. Archived from the original on 3 November 2016.
  5. 1 2 "Z-11 helicopter variations". AirForceWorld.com. Archived from the original on 9 September 2011. Retrieved 2011-09-12.
  6. "CZ11W". China Chamber of Commerce.
  7. "China's Z-11WB light helo takes first flight". Janes. 4 October 2015. Archived from the original on 10 November 2015.
  8. Jackson, Paul, ed. (2010). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2010-11 (101st ed.). London: Jane's Information Group. pp. 111–112. ISBN   978-0710629166.
  9. Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.