China is accelerating research and development of domestically-designed helicopters at an unprecedented pace, with a target of meeting the nation's strong demand for helicopters with plateau capabilities.
A series of new helicopter models have been in various phases of testing their performance and capacity in plateau regions over the last month, according to the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).
"As an example of military and civilian integration, helicopters are of strategic importance to China as it has a complex geological environment and great demand," said Chen Yuanxian, vice president with AVIC.
NEW MODELS UP ON THE PLATEAU
China's surging aviation industry is continuously sending stronger signals with successive new models of Chinese-designed helicopters breaking records on the high plateau.
The domestically-developed AC312E, a light twin-engine civilian helicopter, completed all of its plateau test flights after a series of tests in sub-plateau, plateau and high plateau regions, AVIC announced on Nov. 21.
With specially designed engines on this model, the AC312E has successfully completed all requirements for high-altitude helicopters, according to its developer AVIC Hafei, a subsidiary of AVIC.
The model can fly at 6,300 meters above sea level, with a maximum take-off weight of 4.25 tonnes and maximum payload of 1.7 tonnes.
"It was designed and developed to meet the country's urgent demand on the plateau. Despite being a light helicopter, it can carry up to nine passengers,"said Li Shengwei, deputy chief designer of AVIC Hafei.
"More importantly, we have mastered key technologies such as the helicopter avionics to allow it to perform well and steady on plateau," he added.
The AC312E series may eventually include four specialized models for emergency medical services, search and rescue, business transport and law enforcement, according to Li.
Just days prior, the domestically-developed AV500W unmanned helicopters conducted target shooting tests at an altitude of 4,300 meters on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau on Nov. 18.
The AV500W is the reconnaissance-and-strike variant of the AV500, which climbed to an altitude of 5,006 meters during tests in late October, said China Helicopter Research and Development Institute (CHRDI) under AVIC.
It set a ceiling record for China's domestically-made unmanned helicopters by climbing on the high plateau.
The model can be used in counter-terrorism, drug control, border patrol, geological surveying and mapping in both plain and plateau regions.
