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]
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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]
- 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]
- Avicopter AC311
- Multi-role civilian helicopter. Developed from earlier Z-11 models, featuring a redesigned airframe, cockpit, tail, a Honeywell LTS101-700D-2 engine, and other subsystems. 2 crew and four passengers. Maiden flight in 2011.[7][8]
- Avicopter AC311A
- Multi-role civilian helicopter. Developed from AC311, featuring a redesigned main rotor and other improvements, a license-built Arriel 2B1A turboshaft engine. Maiden flight in 2013.[8]
- Z-11WB
- Attack/reconnaissance helicopter developed from the AC311 platform.[9] The first flight was 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.[10][4]
Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2010–2011[11]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Capacity:
- 3 (reconnaissance variants)
- 6 (utility variants)
- Length: 11.24 m (36 ft 11 in) fuselage
- 13.01 m (43 ft) with rotors turning
- Width: 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in)
- Height: 3.14 m (10 ft 4 in) to top of rotor hub
- Empty weight: 1,253 kg (2,762 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 2,250 kg (4,960 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 423 kg (933 lb) maximum
- Powerplant: 1 × Liming WZ-8 turboshaft engine, 510 kW (680 hp) for take-off
- 450 kW (603 hp) max. continuous
- 350 kW (469 hp) cruise
(can also fit Honeywell LTS101-700D-2 and Turbomeca Arriel 2B1A turboshaft engine)
- Main rotor diameter: 10.69 m (35 ft 1 in)
- Main rotor area: 89.8 m2 (967 sq ft)
- Blade section: NACA 0012[12]
Performance
- Cruise speed: 258 km/h (160 mph, 139 kn) max at 1,000 m (3,300 ft)
- Range: 661 km (411 mi, 357 nmi) max
- Endurance: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Service ceiling: 5,270 m (17,290 ft)
- Hover ceiling IGE: 4,028 m (13,215 ft)
- Hover ceiling OGE: 3,369 m (11,053 ft)
- Rate of climb: 10 m/s (2,000 ft/min) at sea level
Armament
- Guns:
- 1× 7.62 mm (0.300 in) pintle mounted CS/LM12 six-barreled minigun
- 1× 40 mm (1.575 in) pintle mounted LG3 automatic grenade launcher[4]
- 1× 23 mm (0.906 in) pylon mounted gun pod
- Hardpoints: 16
- Rockets: Up to 2× 57 mm (2.244 in) unguided rocket pods
- Missiles:
- Bombs: Up to 4× FT-9 or YZ-212D laser-guided precision bombs[4]
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
"CZ11W". China Chamber of Commerce. 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.
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