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Harbin Z-9

{{Short description|Series of Chinese utility helicopters}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}

{{Infobox aircraft

| name = Z-9

| image = File:Chinese Helicopter Lands on HMS Cornwall MOD 45150752.jpg

| caption = A Chinese naval Z-9 departs HMS Cornwall

| type = Medium multi-purpose utility helicopter

| national_origin = China

| manufacturer = Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation

| first_flight = 1981

| introduction = 1994

| retired =

| status = In service

| primary_user = People's Liberation Army Ground Force

| more_users = Pakistan Naval Air Arm
Royal Cambodian Air Force

| produced = 1981–present

| number_built = 200+

| unit cost =

| developed_from = Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin

| variants = Harbin Z-19

}}

The Harbin Z-9 (NATO reporting name "Haitun", {{zh|s=海豚|l=Dolphin}}{{cite web |url=http://www.designation-systems.net/non-us/soviet.html#_Listings_Misc|title=Designations of Soviet and Russian Military Aircraft and Missiles|first=Andreas|last=Parsch|author2=Aleksey V. Martynov|year=2008|work=Designation-Systems.net|access-date=2010-04-13}}) is a Chinese military utility helicopter with armed variants, manufactured by Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation. It is a license-built variant of the French Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin.

Design and development

The first Z-9 flew in 1981, and was built in China from components supplied by Aérospatiale as part of a production patent bought on 15 October 1980.{{cite web |url=http://www.hafei.com/hafeien/hahang_history_80.htm |title=哈尔滨飞机工业集团有限责任公司 |publisher=Hafei.com |access-date=2013-11-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403214416/http://www.hafei.com/hafeien/hahang_history_80.htm |archive-date=3 April 2015 |df=dmy-all }} On 16 January 1992, the indigenous variant Z-9B, constructed with 70% Chinese-made parts, flew successfully. The flight test was completed in November 1992 and the design was finalized a month later. Z-9B production began in 1993 and entered PLA service in 1994.{{cite news | title=Z-9 Utility Helicopter | date=2007-01-06 | publisher=SinoDefence.com | url=http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/helicopter/z9.asp | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061230045553/http://sinodefence.com/airforce/helicopter/z9.asp | archive-date=30 December 2006 | df=dmy-all }}

The Z-9B features an 11-blade Fenestron faired-in tail rotor with wider-chord, all-composite blades replacing the 13-blade used in the original AS365N. As a light tactical troop transport, the Z-9 has the capacity to transport 10 fully armed soldiers. Generally the Z-9 is identical to the AS365N Dauphin, though later variants of the Z-9 incorporate more composite materials to increase structural strength and lower radar signature.

The helicopter has a four-blade main rotor, with two turboshaft engines mounted side by side on top of the cabin with engine layout identical to the AS365N. The Z-9 teardrop-shaped body features a tapered boom to the tail fin, with rounded nose and stepped-up cockpit, retractable gear, and all flat bottom.

In 2002, Harbin obtained Chinese certification for the new H410A variant of the Z-9, which features more powerful Turbomeca Arriel 2C turboshaft engines; Eurocopter issued official objections to Harbin's decision to continue production in spite of the license-production agreement having expired, leading to a period of highly sensitive international negotiations to resolve the dispute.[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2002/2002%20-%202243.html "China Approves Re-engine Z-9 Twin."] Flight International, July 2002. p. 43.

Variants

An armed variant has been fielded by the PLA since the early 1990s as the Z-9W, with pylons fitted for anti-tank missiles. These helicopters lack the maneuverability and survivability of a proper attack helicopter, and merely provide a stopgap during the development of the Z-10. The latest armed version, the Z-9W, was introduced in 2005 and has night attack capabilities, with an under-nose low-light TV and infra-red observing and tracking unit.

The naval version introduced in the 1990s is known as the Z-9C. As well as SAR and ASW duties, the Z-9C can be fitted with an X-band KLC-1 surface search radar to detect surface targets beyond the range of shipborne radar systems.{{cite news | title=Z-9C (AS 565 Panther) Naval Helicopter | date=2007-07-28 | publisher=SinoDefence.com | url=http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/helicopter/z9c.asp | access-date=2008-03-26 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080317041346/http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/helicopter/z9c.asp | archive-date=17 March 2008 | df=dmy-all }}

File:PLA Harbin Z-9W 2012 Hong Kong.JPG

;Z-9: License-produced variant of the French AS.365N1.

;Z-9A: Kit-built variant of the AS.365N2.

;Z-9A-100: Prototypes for domestic market versions with WZ8A engines. First flight 16 January 1992, approved 30 December 1992.

;Z-9B: Production version based on Z-9A-100. Multi-role.

File:PLAN_Z-9_Helicopter.jpg

;Z-9C: License-produced variant of the Eurocopter AS.565 Panther for the PLA Naval Air Force.

;Z-9EC: ASW variant produced for the Pakistan Naval Air Arm. Configured with pulse-compression radar, low frequency dipping sonar, radar warning receiver and doppler navigation system, it is also armed with torpedoes for use aboard Pakistan Navy's Zulfiquar-class frigates.http://thenews.jang.com.pk/updates.asp?id=87912{{Dead link|date=April 2013}}

;Z-9G

: Export version of the WZ-9 gunship.{{Cite web |date=December 2011 |title=Worldwide Equipment Guide – Volume 2: Airspace and Air Defense Systems |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD1117055.pdf |publisher=United States Army Training and Doctrine Command |page=2-14 |via=Defense Technical Information Center}}

;Z-9EH: Transport, emergency and/or passenger variant.{{cite web|url=http://www.hafei.com/cp-4.htm|title=航空工业哈尔滨飞机工业集团有限责任公司|website=hafei.com|access-date=16 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413000303/http://www.hafei.com/cp-4.htm|archive-date=13 April 2018|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

;Z-9W: Also known as WZ-9. Armed version with optional pylon-mounted armament, gyro stabilization and roof-mounted optical sight. Export designation Z-9G, roof-mounted sight optional. First flown in 1987, with the first weapons tests in 1989.{{cite web|url=http://www.army-technology.com/projects/harbin-z9w-attack-helicopter-china/ |title=Harbin Z-9W Attack Helicopter |publisher=Army Technology |date=2011-06-15 |access-date=2013-11-16}}

File:PLAAF Harbin Z-9WA.jpg

;Z-9WA: A newer night-capable version has been built with nose-mounted FLIR. July 2011, Xinhua News Agency released a photo of Z-9WA firing AKD10 air-to-ground missile.{{cite web |url=http://airforceworld.com/pla/z9-helicopter-china-2.htm#z9wa |title=Z-9WA attack helicopter |work=AirForceWorld.com |access-date=12 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110909123534/http://airforceworld.com/pla/z9-helicopter-china-2.htm#z9wa |archive-date=9 September 2011 |df=dmy-all }} Incorporates a domestic Chinese helmet mounted sight that is compatible with anti-tank missiles such as HJ-8 /9/ 10, as well as light anti-ship missiles such as C-701/703 and TL-1/ 10 when they are used as air-to-surface missiles, air-to-air missiles such as TY-90 and other MANPAD missiles for self-defense.{{cite web|url=http://club.china.com/data/thread/1013/2713/82/91/8_1.html|title=Z-9 HMS|publisher=China Internet Information Center|access-date=16 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809193722/http://club.china.com/data/thread/1013/2713/82/91/8_1.html|archive-date=9 August 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

;Z-9Z

: Prototype reconnaissance version.

;H410A: Version with 635 kW WZ8C turbo-shaft engines. First flight September 2001, CAAC certification 10 July 2002. One is currently being fitted with a new Mast-Mounted Sighting (MMS) system.

File:Harbin Z-19.jpg 2013]]

;H425: Newest VIP version of the H410A.

;H450: Projected development.

;Z-19: Attack helicopter development with tandem seats. The Z-19 shares the same powerplant as the Z-9WA.

Operators

File:Harbin Z-9 Users.png

File:Harbin Z-9 Malian Air Force.jpg Z-9B coming in to land]]

;{{flag|Bolivia}}

  • Bolivian Army{{cite web |url= http://forms.flightglobal.com/WorldAirForces2015?product=PREM&mode=DOWNLOAD&DMDcode=FGWC4&fcid=%7B05ceef25-b72e-4bea-9a83-a7ab7d02e55a%7D_FC078_PREM_201412&fcfileext=pdf |title= World Air Forces 2015 |publisher= Flightglobal Insight |year= 2015 |access-date= 4 January 2015 |archive-date= 19 October 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171019075444/http://forms.flightglobal.com/WorldAirForces2015?product=PREM&mode=DOWNLOAD&DMDcode=FGWC4&fcid=%7B05ceef25-b72e-4bea-9a83-a7ab7d02e55a%7D_FC078_PREM_201412&fcfileext=pdf |url-status= dead }}

;{{flag|Cambodia}}

;{{flag|Cameroon}}

;{{CHN}}

;{{flag|Djibouti}}

;{{EQG}}

  • Armed Forces of Equatorial Guinea[https://www.defensa.com/africa-asia-pacifico/fuerzas-armadas-guinea-ecuatorial-dotan-dos-helicopteros-chinos Las Fuerzas Armadas de Guinea Ecuatorial se dotan con dos helicópteros chinos Harbin Z-9]

;{{GHA}}

  • Ghana Air Force{{cite web|url= http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=40922:ghana-air-force-receives-z-9-helicopters&catid=124:military-helicopters&Itemid=282/|title= Ghana Air Force receives Z-9 helicopters|date= 5 October 2015}}

;{{KEN}}

;{{LAO}}

File:Aft-deck of the PLAN frigate Yi Yang (FF 548).jpg Yiyang during a bilateral counter-piracy exercise between China and the US in 2012]]

;{{MLI}}

  • Mali Air Force{{cite web|url= http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/aged-air-force-inventory-highlights-mali39s-weakness-381004/|title= Aged air force inventory highlights Mali's weakness |publisher= flightglobal.com |access-date=12 January 2015}}

;{{MRT}}

;{{flag|Myanmar}}

  • State Administration Council{{Cite web|url=https://www.armadarotta.com/2023/12/what-is-happening-in-myanmar.html|title=What is Happening in Myanmar - Documenting Equipment Losses in the Myanmar Civil War|date=25 December 2023 }}

;{{NAM}}

;{{PAK}}

;{{flag|Zambia}}

Specifications (Z-9B)

File:Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin orthographical image.svg

{{Aircraft specs

|ref={{cite book|last=Gordon|first=Yefim|author2=Dmitry Komissarov|title=Chinese aircraft|publisher=Hikoki|location=Manchester|year=2008|isbn=9-781902-109046}}

|prime units?=met

|crew=1 or 2 pilots

|capacity=10 passengers or {{convert|1900|kg|lb|abbr=on|0}} payload internal, {{convert|1600|kg|lb|abbr=on|0}} payload slung

|length m=12.11

|height m=4.01

|empty weight kg=2,050

|max takeoff weight kg=4,100

|eng1 number=2

|eng1 name=Zhuzhou Aeroengine Factory WZ-8A

|eng1 type=turboshaft

|eng1 kw=632

|rot number=1

|rot dia m=11.94

|rot area sqm=111.98

|rot area note=swept area

|max speed kmh=305

|cruise speed kmh=260

|ferry range km=1,000

|ferry range note=with internal auxiliary tank

|endurance=5 hours

|ceiling m=4,500

|ceiling note=
Hovering ceiling in ground effect: {{convert|2600|m|ft|abbr=on|0}}
Hovering ceiling out of ground effect: {{convert|1600|m|ft|abbr=on|0}}

|guns=two fixed 23 mm Type 23-2 (AM-23) cannon on attack variants.

|hardpoints=Pylons for rockets, gun pods, ET52 torpedo, HJ-8 anti-tank missiles, or TY-90 air-to-air missiles.

}}

See also

{{Portal|Aviation}}

{{aircontent|

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|similar aircraft=

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}}

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

{{Commons category|Harbin Z-9}}

  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20101027193053/http://www.airforceworld.com/pla/z9-helicopter-china.htm AirForceWorld.com Z-9 Helicopter Family]
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20070203070920/http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/helicopter/wz9.asp www.sinodefence.com]

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Category:1990s Chinese attack aircraft

Category:Military helicopters

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Category:1990s Chinese helicopters

Category:1990s Chinese military utility aircraft

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Category:Aircraft first flown in 1981

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