The CCTV News has released video footage of new Z-18A military transport helicopter for People’s Liberation Army Ground Force.
China started reforming the People’s Liberation Army a year ago. Its ground force is undergoing a transformation, with the help of some helicopter test pilots. Part of the reforming program was the development of a new medium transport helicopter.
The Z-18A is a is a medium transport helicopter developed by Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAIC) to replace the Z-8 and Russian Mi-17.
The Z-18 is a single-rotor helicopter with tail rotor and a non-retractable landing gear, thought to be based on the Avicopter AC313, an updated design based on the earlier Harbin Z-8, itself a development of the Aérospatiale Super Frelon.