Aviation

Things to know about china’s Newly built AC352 helicopter.

China certified the recently designed AC 352 helicopter. This was created in collaboration with Airbus and a Chinese corporation. It belongs to the medium helicopter 7 tns category

Yesterday, China certified the recently designed AC 352 helicopter. This was created in collaboration with Airbus and a Chinese corporation. It belongs to the medium helicopter 7 tns category. The H 175 helicopter from Airbus has been modernized. They were granted a new name, AC 352, following their partnership.

It can hold 14 to 16 passengers.

The twin-engine, wide-body AC352 (Z15) variant can accommodate up to 14–16 passengers and has a maximum takeoff weight of 7.5 tonnes. As one of the best medium helicopters in the world for safety, comfort, environmental protection, controllability, and economic efficiency thanks to the application of numerous mature advanced technologies and notable performance advantages, the AC352 (Z15) helicopter is made to adhere to the most recent international airworthiness standards.

Fastest helicopter in its class

In addition, it is the quickest helicopter of its kind. The AC352 (Z15) helicopter combines high product quality and flight comfort by paying close attention to every detail.

This concept can be used in many different contexts, including offshore transportation, search and rescue, utility transportation, police services and law enforcement, EMS and supply delivery, etc., and it can accommodate a wide range of customer requests.

Airbus and Avic partnership

The Airbus Helicopters H175 is a medium utility helicopter of the 7-ton class that is manufactured by Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter Group). Avicopter AC352 is the name given to the H175 in China by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). It was first introduced as the Eurocopter EC175 and the Harbin Z-15, and has been called a “super-medium” helicopter.

Design improvement over H 175

The AC352 (Z15) is a top-tier collaborative product created by experts in four cities from China and France, 10,000 kilometres away, and achieved leapfrog development in Chinese civil helicopter history.

It has a new design concept, innovative and advanced technologies, a new development and management model, effective use of global resources, and modern information technologies.

Agreement to producing 1,000 AC352s

2014 had seen the signing of a joint production deal between AVIC and Airbus for 1,000 AC352s. The AC352 (Z15) helicopter was created by AVIC HAIG and Airbus Helicopter in an effort to complement one another’s strengths.

It is powered by the turboshaft WZ16

The state-run engine manufacturer Aero Engine Corporation of China and Safran Helicopter Engines created the turboshaft WZ16 engine, which powers the helicopter. Both Chinese and European authorities certified it as the first helicopter engine.

Chinese-produced AC352s are equipped with two modular 1,800 shp class, dual-FADEC Turbomeca Ardiden 3C/WZ16 turboshaft engines, which were specifically developed by a joint partnership between Turbomeca and AVIC Engine for the rotorcraft

Locally produced variant of the Airbus H175

The AC352 is a locally made version of the Airbus H175, which has been in operation outside of China since 2015 and is intended to undertake search and rescue, emergency medical services, and law enforcement missions. It was developed by Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and Airbus.

Weight ratio

It can support different ratios as well as the maximum takeoff weight of 7500 kg.

O&G empty weight with equipment (including engine oil and unusable fuel, and excluding initial tools)	4550kg⁽¹⁾
Utility transport empty weight with equipment (including engine oil and unusable fuel, and excluding initial tools)	4404kg⁽¹⁾
Max. Take-off weight	7500kg
Max. external slings weight	3000kg

Power

2 Turboshaft WZ16 engines (AEO)	kW
Take-off Power (TOP)	1243
Max. Continuous Power (MCP)	1100

Fuel usable

Standard fuel tank with gravity refilling	2533 liters	2001 kg
Standard fuel tank with ground pressure refilling (ground pressure refilling equipment is included in mission equipment package)	2616 liters	2066 kg

Source : click

Aviation

COMAC Unveils Plans for the C929 to Rival Airbus and Boeing

After the success of China’s first C919 aircraft, the country is setting its sights on developing a larger plane. COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) has officially confirmed plans to build a widebody aircraft, marking a significant step in its aircraft lineup.

Traditionally, Airbus and Boeing dominate the widebody aircraft market, with decades of expertise in developing planes and engines capable of carrying heavy payloads. China, which currently relies on imported engines, is now aiming to challenge these giants with its own widebody jet, the C929, designed to compete with the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777.

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The C929 will be China’s first independently developed long-range widebody aircraft. It adheres to international airworthiness standards and boasts independent intellectual property rights. The baseline version is designed to seat 280 passengers and offers a range of 12,000 kilometers, catering to global demand for both regional and international air travel.

Russia, which also needs reliable narrowbody and widebody aircraft, could become a key customer for the C929. Additionally, China plans to target the broader Asian market as it continues to expand its aviation capabilities.

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China’s aviation progress includes the ARJ21 (now called C909), a regional jet with 100 seats for shorter routes, and the C919, a narrowbody jet with 180 seats designed to rival the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320. Both models have found increasing demand in the domestic market.

At China’s largest air show in Zhuhai, COMAC announced that Air China will be the launch customer for the C929 widebody jet, though details about order size and delivery timelines were not disclosed.

Other major deals announced by COMAC include:

Hainan Airlines: Firm orders for 60 C919 and 40 C909 regional jets.
Colorful Guizhou Airlines: 30 C909 jets, with 20 firm orders and 10 provisional agreements.

The C929, renamed from the CR929 after Russia withdrew from the joint development project in 2023, is expected to carry 280–400 passengers with a range of 12,000 kilometers, competing directly with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.

According to COMAC’s deputy general manager, Tong Yu, the first fuselage section of the C929 is expected by September 2027, with prototype test flights anticipated soon after.