The Advanced Heavy Lifter is a large helicopter project developed by
Aviation Industry Corporation of China
The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) is a Chinese state-owned publicly-traded aerospace and defense conglomerate headquartered in Beijing. AVIC is overseen by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the ...
.
Development
In 2009, Avic projected a civil Advanced Heavy Lifter (AHL), likely also useful to the Chinese military.
In 2014, the 6,000 kW (8,000 hp) Chinese
WZ-20 was reportedly selected.
In 2015, the joint project with
Russian Helicopters
JSC Russian Helicopters () is a helicopter design and manufacturing company headquartered in Moscow, Russia. The company designs and manufactures civilian and military helicopters. The company's principal shareholder is Rostec. It is the world's ...
grew to , with a seven blade
main rotor
On a helicopter, the main rotor or rotor system is the combination of several rotary wings (rotor blades) with a control system, that generates the aerodynamic lift force that supports the weight of the helicopter, and the thrust that countera ...
and a ceiling.
In 2016, Avic took control, leaving Russian Helicopters as a supplier, presumably of the transmission.
In 2018, maximum weight grew again to .
To power it, China will choose between the
Ivchenko Progress D-136T manufactured by Ukraine's
Motor-Sich, powering the current Mi-26, and the Russian PD-12V turboshaft developed from the
Aviadvigatel PD-14
The Aviadvigatel PD-14 (previously known as PS-12) is a high-bypass turbofan that was developed by Aviadvigatel to power the Yakovlev MC-21 twin-jet airliner. It is a 14 tf (30,865 lbf) thrust powerplant.
Development
In December 2009, the ...
core for an updated Mi-26.
After a $2 billion investment, AVIC hopes to produce 200.
[
]
Design
The takeoff weight and a MTOW allow for a internal payload or a external one.
AVIC targets a range of 800 km (432 nmi), a cruise of 270 km/h (146 kn) and a ceiling.
Design targets are closer to the Sikorsky CH-53K than the MTOW Russian Mil Mi-26
The Mil Mi-26 (, NATO reporting name: Halo) is a Soviet/Russian heavy transport helicopter. Its product code is ''Izdeliye 90''. Operated by both military and civilian operators, it is the largest helicopter to have gone into serial product ...
.[
]
Specifications
See also
References
Further reading
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{{AVIC aircraft
2010s Chinese civil utility aircraft
2010s Chinese helicopters
Proposed aircraft of China