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Changhe Z-11

(Redirected from AE-350)

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]

Z-11
A Changhe Z-11WB on display at the 2016 China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition.
General information
TypeLight utility helicopter
National originChina
ManufacturerChanghe Aircraft Industries Corporation
StatusActive, In production
Primary userPeople's Liberation Army Ground Force
History
Manufactured1994-present
Introduction dateSeptember 1998
First flight22 December 1994
Developed fromEurocopter AS350 Écureuil

Development

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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]

Variants

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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]

Operators

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  China

Specifications (Z-11J)

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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]

See also

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Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

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  1. ^ "Z-11 light military transport helicopter". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Z11". Military Today.
  3. ^ "Z-11WB". Military Today.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h "Airshow China 2016: Z-11WB military helicopter makes official debut". Janes. 2 November 2016. Archived from the original on 3 November 2016.
  5. ^ a b "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. ^ "Z-11WB".
  8. ^ a b "Z-11WB". militaryfactory.
  9. ^ a b "KVD-002 UCAV strengthens PLAGF's airborne ISR capability". Janes. 3 October 2023.
  10. ^ "China's Z-11WB light helo takes first flight". Janes. 4 October 2015. Archived from the original on 10 November 2015.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
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