Changhe Z-18

Z-18
Role	Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and Medium transport / Utility helicopter
National origin	China
Manufacturer	Avicopter
Status	In service
Primary user	People's Liberation Army
Developed from	Avicopter AC313

The Changhe Z-18 is a medium transport helicopter developed by Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAIC) to replace the Z-8.

Design and development

The Z-18 is a single-rotor helicopter with tail rotor and a non-retractable landing gear, thought to be based on the Avicopter AC313, an updated design based on the earlier Harbin Z-8, itself a development of the Aérospatiale Super Frelon. Naval version of Z-18 was first revealed onboard Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning. In 2014, army version of Z-18 was revealed in Chinese army publications.^[1] It features a redesigned lower fuselage, with power provided by three improved WZ-6 turboshaft engines and has a MTOW of 13.8 tonnes.^[2]

The Z-18 uses composite materials for the rotor blade and titanium main rotor. It is equipped with a modern integrated digital avionics system and advanced electronic flight instrument landing system. Variants of the Z-18 have been developed for performing VIP transport, search and rescue, ASW and AEW operations.

Variants

Z-18: Based on the Avicopter AC313 design, it features a modified lowered fuselage and an improved WZ-6C turboshaft. A nose-mounted weather radar as well as FLIR and TV turrets were installed. Additional communication and navigation antennae are also added.
Z-18J: New AEW variant with a multimode AESA radar from the 38th Institute.
Z-18F: A recent anti submarine version with surface radar, dipping sonar, hardpoints intended for torpedoes/missiles, and sonobuoys.
Z-18A: Army version with a terrain following radar and EO turret.

References

↑ "Z-18 Helicopter, China". AirForceWorld.com. Retrieved 29 Dec 2014.
↑ http://www.janes.com/article/42184/china-unveils-asw-version-of-z-18-helicopter

AVIC aircraft and aero engines

Fighter and attack aircraft	J-5 J-6 J-7 J-8 J-9 J-10 JF-17 Q-5 J-11

Bombers	H-6 JH-7

Trainers	J-7 K-8 L-15 JL-9

Transport aircraft	Y-7 Y-8 Y-11 Y-12

Commercial aircraft	MA60 Y-12

Helicopters	Z-5 AC310 AC313 HC-120 Z-9 WZ-10 Z-11 Z-20

Ultralight aircraft	Lucky Bird

Engines	WS-9 WS-10 WS-11 WS-13

Missiles	PL-9 PL-12

PLAAF/PLANAF helicopters

Z-5 Z-6 Z-8 Z-9 WZ-10 Z-11 Z-15 Z-18 Z-19 Z-20

Chinese military aircraft

Fighters

Multirole and strike	J-31(F-60)^* J-20^* J-15 J-16 J-10B J-11B J-10 JF-17 JH-7 Su-30MK2 Su-30MKK

Air superiority and interceptor	J-20^* J-10B J-15 J-13 J-12 J-11 J-9 J-8 J-7 J-6 J-5 J-2 Su-27

Ground attack	Q-5 Q-6 J-17^*

Bombers

H-8
H-6
H-5

AEW and AEW&C

Tankers

HY-6
Il-78

Reconnaissance

JZ-8
JZ-7
JZ-6
JZ-5
HZ-5
Tu-154M

Transport

Strategic	Y-20^* Y-30^* Y-9 Y-8 Il-76 Y-7

Maritime Patrol	Y-8FQ SH-5

Tactical	Y-12 Y-11 Y-9 Y-8 Y-7 Y-5 737-300/-700 CL 601 Tu-154

Trainers

Helicopters

Attack	WZ-10 WZ-19 WZ-9 WZ-11

Transport and utility	Z-20^* Z-18 Z-15^* Z-11 Z-9 Z-8 Z-6 Z-5

ASW	Z-18 Z-9C Z-8 Ka-28

UAVs and UCAVs

List of unmanned aerial vehicles of China
UCAV
- Sharp Sword
- WJ-600
- CH-4
- Chengdu Pterodactyl I
- Pterosaur UAV
- Guizhou Sparrow Hawk II
- CH-3 UAV
- CH-901
URAV
- Guizhou Soar Eagle
- Sky Wing I/II
- Long Eagle
- Guizhou WZ-2000
- Harbin BZK-005
- ASN-229A
- ChangKong-1
- BZK-008

* = Under development
Italicized = Retired or cancelled

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Military aircraft
UAVs

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Changhe Z-18

Design and development

Variants

See also

References