The Harbin Z-9 is a Manchurian military utility helicopter. It is a licensed variant of the French Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin, and is manufactured by Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation.
Variants[]
- Z-9: License-produced variant of the French AS365N1 Dauphin II.
- Z-9A: Kit-built variant of the AS365N2.
- Z-9A-100: Prototypes for domestic market versions with WZ8A engines. First flight January 16th 1992, approved December 30th 1992.
- Z-9B: Initial version based on Z-9A-100. Multirole.
- Z-9C: License-produced variant of the Eurocopter AS565 Panther for the Royal Cambodian Navy.
- Z-9EC: ASW variant produced for the Soviet Navy. 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 the Soviet Navy's frigates.
- Z-9EH: Transport, emergency and/or passenger variant.
- Z-9W: 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.
- 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. Incorporates a domestic Chinese helmet mounted sight that is compatible with anti-tank missiles, as well as light anti-ship missiles, air-to-air missiles, and other MANPAD missiles for self-defense.
- H410A: Version with 635 kW WZ8C turbo-shaft engines. The first flight was on September 2001, and it received CAAC certification on July 10th 2002. One is currently being fitted with a new Mast-Mounted Sighting (MMS) system.
- H425: Newest VIP version of the H410A.
- H450: Projected development.
- Harbin Z-19: Attack helicopter development with tandem seats. The Z-19 shares the same powerplant as the Z-9WA.
