Harbin Z-9 - Wikiwand (2025)

The Harbin Z-9 (NATO reporting name "Haitun", Chinese: 海豚; lit. 'Dolphin'^[1]) 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.

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.^[2] 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.^[3]

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.^[4]

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.^[5]

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

Initial version based on Z-9A-100. Multi-role.

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.^[6]

Z-9EH

Transport, emergency and/or passenger variant.^[7]

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.^[8]

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.^[9] 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.^[10]

H410A

Version with 635kW 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.

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.

Bangladesh

• Bangladesh Navy (on order)^{[11][12][13][14]}

Bolivia

• Bolivian Army^[15]

Cambodia

• Cambodian Air Force^[15]
• Cambodian Gendarmerie

Cameroon

• Cameroon Air Force^[15]

China

• People's Liberation Army Air Force^[15]
• People's Liberation Army Ground Air Force
• People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force^[15]
  • Type 052D destroyer
  • Type 053 frigate, Type 053H3 frigate, Type 054 frigate, Type 054A frigate (Z-9C)
  • Type 056 corvette (Z-9C)

Djibouti

• Djiboutian Air Force^[15]

Equatorial Guinea

• Armed Forces of Equatorial Guinea^[16]

Ghana

• Ghana Air Force^[17]

Kenya

• Kenya Defence Forces^[15]

Laos

• Laotian Air Force^[15]

Mali

• Mali Air Force^[18]

Mauritania

• Mauritanian Air Force^[15]

Myanmar

• State Administration Council^[19]

Namibia

• Namibian Air Force^[15]

Pakistan

• Pakistan Naval Air Arm^[15]

Zambia

• Zambian Air Force^[15]

Data from ^[20]

General characteristics

• Crew: 1 or 2 pilots
• Capacity: 10 passengers or 1,900kg (4,189lb) payload internal, 1,600kg (3,527lb) payload slung
• Length: 12.11m (39ft 9in)
• Height: 4.01m (13ft 2in)
• Empty weight: 2,050kg (4,519lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 4,100kg (9,039lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Zhuzhou Aeroengine Factory WZ-8A turboshaft, 632kW (848hp) each
• Main rotor diameter: 11.94m (39ft 2in)
• Main rotor area: 111.98m² (1,205.3sqft) swept area

Performance

• Maximum speed: 305km/h (190mph, 165kn)
• Cruise speed: 260km/h (160mph, 140kn)
• Ferry range: 1,000km (620mi, 540nmi) with internal auxiliary tank
• Endurance: 5 hours
• Service ceiling: 4,500m (14,800ft)
  Hovering ceiling in ground effect: 2,600m (8,530ft)
  Hovering ceiling out of ground effect: 1,600m (5,249ft)

Armament

• 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.

• Aviation portal

• List of utility helicopters

Related development

• Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin
• Eurocopter Panther
• Harbin Z-19

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk
• Eurocopter HH-65 Dolphin
• Agusta A109
• AgustaWestland AW139
• Bell Huey family
• Bell 222/230/430
• Sikorsky S-76
• TAI T625
• HAL Dhruv