Medium-sized Civil Helicopter AC352 Makes Maiden Flight in Northeast China

[beijingwalker]

Medium-sized Civil Helicopter AC352 Makes Maiden Flight in Northeast China

It performed spins and flew forward and backward at a low altitude and shifted to a flight at a higher altitude.

The AC352, jointly developed by China's Harbin Aircraft Industry Group Co. Ltd. and France's Airbus Helicopters, has a maximum take-off weight of 7.5 tons and can carry 16 people. It has a promising prospect in areas of business, emergency rescue and tourism as China's current helicopters are either too large or too small.

It is also a world class medium-size helicopter in terms of technology and functions with good cost performance.

 

[Place Of Space]

Heard it's one of the best helo among the medium size civil ones.

 

[Nike]

is there request for military version of its?

 

[TaiShang]

Maiden flight showcases chopper industry progress
(China Daily) December 21, 2016

People take a close look at the AC352 utility helicopter after it finished its maiden flight in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, on Tuesday. More AC352 pictures

China is able to develop and produce best civilian helicopters, designer says

China conducted the maiden flight of a new utility helicopter on Tuesday morning in Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang province, which designers said indicates the nation has become a top developer of civilian helicopters.

The silver AC352 made a 10-minute flight as hundreds of government and military officials, researchers and workers as well as representatives from Airbus Helicopters watched at Harbin Aircraft Industry Group, a manufacturer of the helicopter.

As China's first 7-metric-ton class helicopter, the AC352 was codeveloped by Avicopter, parent company of Harbin Aircraft Industry, and Airbus Helicopters, starting in 2006. The two sides expect to sell about 800 to 1,000 AC352s - which Airbus Helicopters refers to as H175 - over the coming 20 years, with the profit from sales to be split equally, Avicopter officials said.

The helicopter has a maximum takeoff weight of 7.5 tons and a cruise speed of 280 kilometers per hour, while its flight range is at least 1,000 km, according to Avicopter.

Avicopter said the AC352 is one of the most comfortable and eco-friendly medium-sized helicopters in the world, adding that in addition to two pilots, the helicopter can transport up to 16 passengers.

Lu Weijian, chief designer of the AC352 at Avicopter, said his company is responsible for a lot of the helicopter's major components, such as the main rotor and flight control system

***

Z-15 helicopter makes debut flight in Harbin
(People's Daily Online) December 20, 2016



The Z-15 helicopter, jointly developed by China and Airbus Helicopter Company, is to make its debut flight in Harbin on Dec. 20. Engines and other major components of the plane were all made in China. The medium-sized multi-purpose helicopter fulfills a need in China for helicoptors capable of transporting between 4 and 13 tons, and represents one of the most advanced helicopters in its class.

 

[Beast]

is there request for military version of its?

Yes, Z-15 but I am not sure if PLA developed it. We have our Z-20 program going on.

 

[somebozo]

Is Pakistan going to be export customer?

 

[Saifullah Sani]

The first flight of the Avicopter AC352, powered with WZ16 engine, took place today in Harbin. The AC352 is a new seven-ton, twin-engine, multi-purpose rotorcraft jointly developed by Avicopter and Airbus Helicopters. The WZ16 met all the performance targets set for this maiden flight. Known in the west as the Ardiden 3C, the engine has been jointly developed by Safran Helicopter Engines, CAPI and Dongan, parts of the new Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC) consortium, in a partnership for both development and production.

The WZ16 is a new-generation turboshaft in the 1,500 to 2,000 shp power class. It features a remarkably compact modular architecture, a best in class power to weight ratio with a low cost-of-ownership. Compared to the competition, it offers a 10 % lower fuel consumption.
"Such milestone achieved is the result of closer cooperation between both sides. Building on this, in the future, we will continue our cooperation toward the goal of engine certification at an early date" said Mr Qin Yuchun, President of AECC Dongan."

Commented Safran Helicopter Engines EVP Programs, Cyrille Poetsch, "this flight both secures the AC352 development schedule and marks a major milestone in our partnership with China's aerospace industry. Through this program Safran demonstrates its ability to successfully conduct new-generation engine design as part of an international partnership. This is also a significant step for Avicopter. Since its establishment in 1956, it has grown to become a major rotorcraft manufacturer. We are proud to be aboard their new-generation AC352 and wish them a happy 60th anniversary".
WZ16 will be the first helicopter engine to be certified in parallel, both in China by CAAC (Civil Aviation Administration of China) and in Europe under Ardiden 3C designation, by EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) under the Ardiden 3C designation. The EASA certification for the Ardiden 3C is expected by end of 2017, and the CAAC certification for the WZ16 in 2018.

With over 500 engines in operation, China represents a strategic market for Safran Helicopter Engines. One of every two Chinese-registered helicopters is equipped with a Safran engine or a licensed product. This level of business is the result of 40 years of cooperation with industry in China.

Safran is a leading international high-technology group with three core businesses: Aerospace (propulsion and equipment), Defence and Security. Operating worldwide, the Group has 70,000 employees and generated sales of 17.4 billion euros in 2015. Safran is listed on Euronext Paris and is part of the CAC40 index, as well as the Euro Stoxx 50 European index.
Safran Helicopter Engines is the world's leading manufacturer of helicopter engines, with more than 72,000 produced since being founded. It offers the widest range of helicopter turboshafts in the world and has more than 2,500 customers in 155 countries.
For more information : www.safran-group.com et www.safran-helicopter-engines.com

 

[ahojunk]

A few more pictures of this helicopter.

China will send its most advanced helicopter AC352(Z-15) up on its maiden flight in Harbin, Northeast China's Heilongjiang province on December 20, 2016. As the nation's first 7-ton medium class utility helicopter, AC352 was developed by Avicopter and Airbus Helicopters starting in 2006. (Photo/ Weibo account of CCTV)