China will send its most advanced helicopter AC352 up on its maiden flight in Harbin, Northeast China's Heilongjiang province on December 20, 2016. (Photo/Weibo account of CCTV)
A new Chinese civil helicopter made its maiden flight on Tuesday, marking a new development in the nation's helicopter industry, the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) said.
The AC352 civil helicopter is a multi-purpose twin-engine helicopter with a 7.5-tonne maximum take-off weight, and is capable of carrying up to 16 passengers, AVIC said.
It will boost the development of the nation's helicopter industry, said Wu Ximing, chief designer of helicopters for AVIC.
Lu Weijian, chief designer of the AC352, said the helicopter can be used in fields including offshore transportation, search and rescue, law enforcement, general transport and medical assistance.
Global resources were pooled in research and production of the helicopter, according to AVIC.
The new helicopters are expected to be delivered to clients in 2018, Lu said.
AVIC plans to carry out research on heavy-lift helicopters in accordance with national planning, aiming to make a breakthrough in research on high-speed helicopters and tiltrotor helicopters, Wu said.
