China's Copter for Obama

« Concrete evidence of China's naval ambitions

Z-8/S/J/JH (SA-321Ja) Super Frelon

Z-8 is a land or ship based ASW/SAR helicopter based upon French SA-321Ja Super Frelon (13 were bought in the late 70s, serial numbers 94x6, 95x6). The helicopter was developed in the 80s by Changhe Aircraft Industrial Corporation (CHAIC) and gave the Chinese valuable experience of designing a medium-sized helicopter. Its maximum TO weight is 13t, cruise speed 248km/hr, ferry range 1,400km, service ceiling 3,050m. Its powerplant are 3 WZ-6 turboshafts. For ASW mission, Z-8 is equipped with a surface search radar, French HS-12 dipping sonar while carrying a Whitehead A244S torpedo under the starboard side of the fuselage. It may also carry YJ-81 or YJ-83K ASMs in the future for anti-ship mission. Several Z-8s (S/N 90x7, 91x7) were delivered to PLAN in the late 90s. However quality problems had hampered further orders from the Navy. Later the problems seemed to have been resolved and the small batch production resumed in 2002 (as Z-8J S/N 95x6, 95x7). A naval SAR version called Z-8S (S/N 91x7) with upgraded avionics and a search light, a FLIR turret and a hoist flew on December 25, 2004. At least two have been delivered to PLAN. Another rescure variant with dediated mdiecal eqipment onboard was also developed for the Navy as Z-8JH (S/N 95x6). At least four are in service with PLAN. Recently some of them were installed with a nose EO turret and external pylons to carry rocket and gun pods for anti-piracy operations

2011-02-07 (China Military News cited from Gordon G. Chang and written by forbes.com) -- Aviation Industry Corp. of China wants to build the new Marine One, the president's helicopter. The military contractor, better known as AVIC, also hopes to compete for other American defense contracts, especially the one for the replacement of the Air Force's T-38 trainer, made by Northrop.

"We want China to supply aircraft to the U.S. because we think it makes economic sense," said John Kirkland, the lawyer for AVIC's partner for the Marine One project, to The Wall Street Journal. China will certainly be the low-cost manufacturer when all the bids are in.

In 2009, President Obama cancelled a Navy contract, awarded in 2005 to Lockheed Martin, to build the new Marine One fleet. Then, scrapping the over-budget project was hailed as the right decision, and now cost has become an even bigger factor as the Pentagon will have to get along with shrinking appropriations. A cheap airframe, in short, is a good thing.

And that's all China will be supplying. AVIC will be trying to sell the Navy its AC-313 helicopter, which is powered by engines from Pratt & Whitney, a unit of United Technologies. Moreover, AVIC will be exporting what is essentially a civilian craft. Military equipment—avionics, communications, and other sensitive gear—will be fitted in the United States by others.

The AC-313 should be a strong contender. It is a new airframe—it first flew last year—and it certainly is large enough for the job, able to accommodate 27 passengers and a crew of 2. Moreover, Boeing delivered a 767 to Beijing to ferry around former leader Jiang Zemin. Hu Jintao arrived in Washington on a 747 last month. If we can sell planes for Chinese presidents, why can't the Chinese sell helos for ours?

Yet nobody thinks AVIC will win the Marine One contract. "It's impossible," said Wong Dong, president of the International Military Association, to Hong Kong's South China Morning Post. Even Kirkland, the lawyer, admits China's bid sounds "ludicrous."

Z-8A/K/KA/KH Super Frelon

As an army transport version, Z-8A was developed by CHAIC and 602 Institute and was certified in February 1999. Two Z-8As were delievered to the Army for evaluation in 2001 but suffered from poor quality and performance. Only a batch of 6 Z-8A (S/N LH978xx) were delivered to the Army in November 2002. Consequently Army decided to order more Mi-17V5s from Russia and stop ordering any more Z-8s. Finally in 2007 PLAAF started to acquire dozens of much improved Z-8Ks (S/N 30x7x) and Z-8KAs (S/N 619x, 629x) for SAR missions. These specialized variants are equipped with a FLIR turret and a search light underneath the cabin plus a hoist and a flare dispenser attached to the fuselage. A dust filter is installed in front the of engine intakes. Z-8K/KA also features a glass cockpit. Recently another variant dubbed Z-8KH was developed for the PLAAF unit stationed in Hong Kong, which has chaff/flare launchers installed in the floats. The first batch of 4 will be delivered in early 2010 (S/N 630x). As an army transport version, Z-8A was developed by CHAIC and 602 Institute and was certified in February 1999. Two Z-8As were delievered to the Army for evaluation in 2001 but suffered from poor quality and performance. Only a batch of 6 Z-8A (S/N LH978xx) were delivered to the Army in November 2002. Consequently Army decided to order more Mi-17V5s from Russia and stop ordering any more Z-8s. Finally in 2007 PLAAF started to acquire dozens of much improved Z-8Ks (S/N 30x7x) and Z-8KAs (S/N 619x, 629x) for SAR missions. These specialized variants are equipped with a FLIR turret and a search light underneath the cabin plus a hoist and a flare dispenser attached to the fuselage. A dust filter is installed in front the of engine intakes. Z-8K/KA also features a glass cockpit. Recently another variant dubbed Z-8KH was developed for the PLAAF unit stationed in Hong Kong, which has chaff/flare launchers installed in the floats. The first batch of 4 will be delivered in early 2010 (S/N 630x). As an army transport version, Z-8A was developed by CHAIC and 602 Institute and was certified in February 1999. Two Z-8As were delievered to the Army for evaluation in 2001 but suffered from poor quality and performance. Only a batch of 6 Z-8A (S/N LH978xx) were delivered to the Army in November 2002. Consequently Army decided to order more Mi-17V5s from Russia and stop ordering any more Z-8s. Finally in 2007 PLAAF started to acquire dozens of much improved Z-8Ks (S/N 30x7x) and Z-8KAs (S/N 619x, 629x) for SAR missions. These specialized variants are equipped with a FLIR turret and a search light underneath the cabin plus a hoist and a flare dispenser attached to the fuselage. A dust filter is installed in front the of engine intakes. Z-8K/KA also features a glass cockpit. Recently another variant dubbed Z-8KH was developed for the PLAAF unit stationed in Hong Kong, which has chaff/flare launchers installed in the floats. The first batch of 4 will be delivered in early 2010 (S/N 630x). As an army transport version, Z-8A was developed by CHAIC and 602 Institute and was certified in February 1999. Two Z-8As were delievered to the Army for evaluation in 2001 but suffered from poor quality and performance. Only a batch of 6 Z-8A (S/N LH978xx) were delivered to the Army in November 2002. Consequently Army decided to order more Mi-17V5s from Russia and stop ordering any more Z-8s. Finally in 2007 PLAAF started to acquire dozens of much improved Z-8Ks (S/N 30x7x) and Z-8KAs (S/N 619x, 629x) for SAR missions. These specialized variants are equipped with a FLIR turret and a search light underneath the cabin plus a hoist and a flare dispenser attached to the fuselage. A dust filter is installed in front the of engine intakes. Z-8K/KA also features a glass cockpit. Recently another variant dubbed Z-8KH was developed for the PLAAF unit stationed in Hong Kong, which has chaff/flare launchers installed in the floats. The first batch of 4 will be delivered in early 2010 (S/N 630x). As an army transport version, Z-8A was developed by CHAIC and 602 Institute and was certified in February 1999. Two Z-8As were delievered to the Army for evaluation in 2001 but suffered from poor quality and performance. Only a batch of 6 Z-8A (S/N LH978xx) were delivered to the Army in November 2002. Consequently Army decided to order more Mi-17V5s from Russia and stop ordering any more Z-8s. Finally in 2007 PLAAF started to acquire dozens of much improved Z-8Ks (S/N 30x7x) and Z-8KAs (S/N 619x, 629x) for SAR missions. These specialized variants are equipped with a FLIR turret and a search light underneath the cabin plus a hoist and a flare dispenser attached to the fuselage. A dust filter is installed in front the of engine intakes. Z-8K/KA also features a glass cockpit. Recently another variant dubbed Z-8KH was developed for the PLAAF unit stationed in Hong Kong, which has chaff/flare launchers installed in the floats. The first batch of 4 will be delivered in early 2010 (S/N 630x).

So why shouldn't China build the president's fleet of helicopters? First, we need to listen to Jerrold Pressman, the chairman of U.S. Aerospace, AVIC's California-based bid partner. "Enabling the expanded utilization of foreign subcontractors will provide the U.S. government with the unique ability to utilize the defense budget in a new geostrategic role that fosters economic cooperation among those who are and would strive to be our allies," he stated in a July 26, 2010 letter to shareholders. China is not our ally and is not striving to become one. In fact, last February its senior military officers talked in public about waging war on the U.S.

But let's, for the sake of argument, put aside the fact that Chinese flag officers and senior colonels are relishing the opportunity to kill Americans. There is another matter of concern: Beijing heavily subsidizes AVIC, a state-run enterprise. The issue of foreign subsidies helped derail the bid of EADS North America, a subsidiary of European Aeronautic Defense & Space Co., in its dogfight with Boeing for an especially lucrative Air Force tanker contract. Having established that precedent, it would be difficult to treat the Chinese better than the Europeans.

Of course, one can argue that we should not complain when foreigners help American taxpayers, especially when the foreigners in question generally share our notions of international commerce. China, however, does not. It is systematically violating its international trade obligations and is, in every sense, a predatory competitor.

We see this in the rare-earth sector, where the Chinese underbid competitors around the world. When Beijing drove virtually everyone else out of business—it controls some 97% of global production at the moment—it enforced stringent export quotas to force manufacturers to move to China, a clear violation of its World Trade Organization obligations. Then last year it imposed export bans—also patently illegal under WTO rules—on Japan in September and on the European Union and the United States in October. Beijing, unfortunately, sees every economic advantage as a geopolitical tool to club others. We have, therefore, a real interest in preserving the American manufacturing base, especially in defense and defense-related industries.

It appears that AVIC, the maker of China's new J-20 stealth fighter, knows it will never win the Marine One bid and is making the effort solely for marketing purposes. "AVIC still takes part in the game because it realizes that its participation will provide free propaganda to polish its image in the international arms market, and tell its potential clients that China's aircraft industry technologies are able to compete with US and European competitors," says Wong of the International Military Association.

So even if AVIC provides the AC-313 airframes for free—or even pays us to take them—we should turn the state-owned company down. This is, after all, a matter of keeping manufacturing at home—and of national security.

Z-10

A first glimpse of an Army Aviation Z-10 attack helicopter is shown here. Co-developed by the 602 Institute, CHAIC and HAMC as the first dedicated modern attack helicopter for PLA Army Aviation since 1998, Z-10 is generally believed in the same class as South African Rooviak and Italian A129, yet still not as capable as American AH-64 Apache. The helicoter adopes a standard gunship configuration featuring a narrow fuselage and stepped tandem cockpits with the gunner in the frontseat and the pilot in the backseat. The fuselage appears to have a stealthy diamond cross section to reduce RCS. It also have a 5-blade main rotor made of composite material and an AH-64 style 4-blade tail rotor. All the vital areas of the fuselage including the cockpit and fuel tanks are believed to be protected by the armor plates. It weighs about 5.5 tons and was powered initially by two P&W PT6C-76C turboshaft engines (rated @ 1,250kW each). However domestic developed engines (upgrated WZ-9?) are being used in production batches due to the embargo imposed by the west. Its rotor and transmission systems may have been designed with extensive technical assistance from Eurocopter France and Agusta. Its weapon system may consist of up to 8 KD-8 ATGMs in box launchers under the stub wings and a 23 or 30mm cannon mounted under the chin, aimed via gunner's helmet mounted sight. Furthermore PL-90 AAMs can be carried against enemy helicopters and slow-moving fixed wing aircraft. It can also carry 8 newly developed KD-10 ATGMs in the same class of AGM-114 Hellfire. Similar to AH-64, Z-10 features nose mounted PNVS and TVDS housing FLIR, TV camera, laser range finder and designator. RWR and radar jammer antennas are installed on both sides of the forward and aft fuselage. In addition, a laser warning receiver is installed on top of the pylon on each side. The helicopter may also be fitted with an integrated communication/navigation system, a comprehensive ECM suite, IFF, chaff/flare launchers, 1553B databus, and a glass cockpit. 2 prototypes were built in 2003 and 6 more were built in 2004. The first flight of 02 prototype took place on April 29, 2003. Several Z-10 prototypes powered by PT6C-76C engine were evaluated by the Army by 2007. In 2009 it was reported that an "optimized" version (Z-10A?) was under developemnt and expected to enter the mass production. This version has a reduced weight and is powered by the upgraded WZ-9 engines. The latest images (December 2010) confirmed that at least 8 Z-10s of the first batch have entered the service with PLA Army Aviation (S/N LH951xx).