Russia, China to Develop Heavy Lift Helicopter

[bobbymike]

Story does not contain much information other than possible payload size:

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/russia-china-to-develop-massive-heavy-lift-helicopter-412140/?cmpid=SOC%7CRSS%7Ctwitterfeed%7CFG_Aircraft&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

 

[Triton]

"Sino-Russian Advanced Heavy Lift (AHL) Helicopter"

Source:
http://chinesemilitaryreview.blogspot.com/2015/09/sino-russian-advanced-heavy-lift-ahl.html

Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has displayed a scale model of Advanced Heavy Lift (AHL) Helicopter being jointly developed with Russia at the China Helicopter Exposition in Tianjin.

Preliminary specifications state that Advanced Heavy Lift (AHL) Helicopter will have maximum take-off weight will be about 38.2 tons and it will be able to carry maximum payload of 10 tons inside its cabin and up to 15 tons can be carried on an external sling.

The ALH will be capable of operating around-the-clock operation in in hot and high environments and it will have maximum speed of 300km/h with service ceiling of 5,700m.

 

[Triton]

Source:
http://news.sina.com.cn/c/2015-09-09/doc-ifxhqhvf9335743.shtml

 

[Triton]

Source:
http://news.sina.com.cn/c/2015-09-09/doc-ifxhqhvf9335743.shtml

 

[Triton]

"Avicopter shows off Advanced Heavylift Helicopter (ALH) model at Tianjin helo expo"
Richard D Fisher Jr, Washington, DC - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
09 September 2015

China's Avicopter revealed a model of its Advanced Heavylift Helicopter (ALH) concept at the third China Helicopter Exposition in Tianjin, which runs from 9 to 13 September.

Chinese press reports indicate that with the ALH, China intends to produce a platform similar in performance to the new Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion.

Information revealed at the show indicates the ALH will weigh 38.2 tons, have a speed of 300 km/h, a range of 630 km and a practical ceiling of 5,700 m. Previous reports indicate it will have an internal payload of 10 tons and an external payload of 15 tons.

According to Sikorsky the 39.9-ton CH-53K has a cruise speed of 261 km/h, a range of 852 km, and a ceiling of 4,383 m. Its external payload is reportedly 15.9 tons.

Despite having been a long-standing indigenous development programme, Avicopter's ALH concept shows significant foreign influence, starting with its nose, which resembles that of the co-developed Avicopter Z-15(AC352)/Airbus H175.

However, in overall design the ALH most resembles the Russian Mil Mi-46 concept from the early 1990s for a 38-ton version of Mil's successful 56-ton Mi-26 heavy lift helicopter.

Both are seven-blade, twin-engine designs with an aft loading ramp.

Major differences include the ALH's unique cockpit configuration and its use of paddle-shaped anhedral main rotor blade tips, which help improve helicopter speed.

The ALH's similarity to the Mi-46 concept is not surprising as since about 2007 Russia has been promoting it to China as the basis for a co-developed heavy-lift helicopter. Recently this project has benefitted from personal lobbying by Russian president Vladimir Putin, leading to an 8 May 2015 "framework agreement" on helicopter co-development.

Russian sources have said this could lead to a formal contract before the end of 2015. They have also said that China could have a requirement for up to 200 heavy-lift helicopters.

 

[sferrin]

Would be interesting if they made a Marine one.

Pictures of the LHD model moved to own topic : http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,25608.0.html

 

[Triton]

"Russia & China plan joint production of at least 200 heavy lift helicopters"
Published time: 31 Aug, 2017 14:10

Source:
https://www.rt.com/business/401593-russia-china-helicopters-production/

Russia's state hi-tech corporation Rostec says a contract for a joint project with China to produce an Advanced Heavy Lift (AHL) helicopter may be signed by the end of the year.

At least 200 heavy lift helicopters are planned to be built in China. This is an estimated market volume. These helicopters will possibly be exported," said Victor Kladov, Rostec’s International Cooperation, and Regional Policy Director.

He explained the cooperation as "technological partnership,” with China responsible for the helicopter’s design and production and Russia acting as a technical partner.

The new helicopter is among a range of Russian-Chinese projects that also include plans for a long-range widebody aircraft.

The AHL will have a maximum takeoff weight of 38.2 tons and will be able to carry up to 15 tons. With a range of 630 kilometers and a top speed of 300 kilometers per hour.

According to Rostec, some components for the helicopter will be supplied by Russia, but the helicopter will be manufactured in China.

"Our designers and engineers will actively participate in the development work, trials and certification of the helicopter, but this will be done on the basis of contracts," said Kladov.

Agreement on the program of developing a heavy civilian helicopter was signed in June 2016 during an official visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to China.

Under the agreement, Rostec’s subsidiary Russian Helicopters will invest in the project and develop separate systems for the new machine.

Last year Russian Helicopters announced plans to sell 18 helicopters to China, including Mi-171s, Ka-32s, and Ansat. The helicopters will be delivered by the end of 2018.

 

[Triton]

Source:
http://www.sohu.com/picture/1574

 

[Triton]

"China displays model of new heavy-lift helicopter with Ukrainian engines"
by Dylan Malyasov

September 17, 2017

Source:
http://defence-blog.com/news/china-displays-model-of-new-heavy-lift-helicopter-with-ukrainian-engines.html

The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) displayed a model of a new heavy-lift helicopter during China Helicopter Exposition 2017.

AVIC showed the model of the new heavy-lift helicopter to be developed jointly by Russia and China. The helicopter will have a range of up to 800 kilometers, while its maximum speed will amount to 300 kph. The heavy-lift helicopter’s payload inside the cabin will total 10 tons, while its external payload will total up to 15 or 20 tons.

The new helicopter will be equipped with the new AI-136T turboshaft engines. The new engine is an upgraded version of D-136 and developed by the Ukrainian company Motor Sich and Ivchenko-Progress.

The AI-136T delivers 11,500 hp at maximum trust setting at surrounding temperatures of up to 50ºC. It also has an emergency mode which provides up to 14,500 hp. Maximum output of the original D-136 is 11,500 hp at temperatures no higher than 15ºC. So the new engine is expected to significantly improve the helicopter’s performance in hot-and-high conditions.

 

[flateric]

As plausible as previous one, designed by industrial design student.

 

[Triton]

1. Max take-off weight: 38.7 tons
2. Max internal load: 10 tons
3. Max external load: 15 tons
4. Cruising speed: 270 km/h
5. Operating ceiling: 6000 meters
6. Max range (ferry range?): 800 km


Source:
https://www.sinodefenceforum.com/china-helicopter-expo-2017.t8171/page-2

 

[Triton]

As plausible as previous one, designed by industrial design student.

Is this also a fictional concept designed by an industrial design student?

"Designers From All Over the World to Present Their Vision of High End Russian Products"

August 31, 2017

Source:
http://rostec.ru/en/news/4521014

Rostec State Corporation in collaboration with BRICS industrial designers presents futuristic vision of defense and civil products manufactured or developed by its holding companies. This products formed basis for BRICS 2017. Creative partnership exposition within the framework of the meeting of the BRICS Business Council in Shanghai.

Designers from China, India, Brazil, South Africa and Russia gave their vision of a wide-body long-haul aircraft (SFDMS), a heavy civil helicopter, and the multi-purpose Ka-226T helicopter. Some of these projects are being carried out in the partnerships with BRICS countries. The main message which Rostec sends out by this exhibition is the high potential of BRICS countries cooperation and combined achievements in the sphere of high technologies.

"Rostec is present in the markets of each of the five countries of the union, which creates great opportunities for joint projects in the hi-tech sphere. Significant results have already been achieved in a number of these projects, which gives us every reason to be confident in the development of mutually beneficial cooperation, said Victor Kladov, Director for International Cooperation and Regional Policy of Rostec. The exposition demonstrates Rostec's openness and willingness to strengthen technological partnerships with BRICS countries".

Going forward developers from Rostec holdings will discuss the potential implementation of exhibition visuals in their developments.

After the opening of the exhibition, there was a press briefing by Viktor Kladov, Director for International Cooperation and Regional Policy Department of the State Corporation. During press briefing, Mr. Kladov answered questions from journalists from BRICS countries on the results and prospects of cooperation among the commonwealth countries in high-tech industries.

The topics of the discussion included Sino-Russian cooperation in the civilian sphere, joint projects to develop a heavy civilian helicopter and wide-body long-haul aircraft (SFDMS), as well as Chinese and Russian investment, joint projects with BRICS countries etc.

After meeting of the Business Council the sketches will be shipped to Russia and displayed in Rostec.

 

[flateric]

Well. What do you think yourself?

 

[Triton]

Well. What do you think yourself?

I am not quarreling with you. I have to rely on the English-language press and Google Translate to learn about Russian and Chinese projects. I am just asking what you know because I presume that you are better informed than I am.

 

[yasotay]

The new design for the heavy lift seems a much more pragmatic approach, so I would assume it to be a more accurate proposal.

 

[flateric]

Well. What do you think yourself?

I am not quarreling with you. I have to rely on the English-language press and Google Translate to learn about Russian and Chinese projects. I am just asking what you know because I presume that you are better informed than I am.

Colani style. Has nothing to do with the real designs.

 

[flateric]

The new design for the heavy lift seems a much more pragmatic approach, so I would assume it to be a more accurate proposal.

Al, just look at the size of transparencies and compare it to the same class Mi-26/46 ones. Dont you see something _strange_?

 

[yasotay]

The new design for the heavy lift seems a much more pragmatic approach, so I would assume it to be a more accurate proposal.

Al, just look at the size of transparencies and compare it to the same class Mi-26/46 ones. Dont you see something _strange_?

Okay so they forgot the wet bar.

... and the door for the crew.

Point taken.

 

[Triton]

"Russo-Chinese AHL helicopter project reaches next stage"

September 15, 2017

Source:
http://www.rusaviainsider.com/russo-chinese-ahl-helicopter-project-reaches-next-stage/

Technical specifications for a heavy-lift helicopter, known as the Advanced Heavy Lifter (AHL), have been finalized by Russian Helicopters and China’s Avicopter. The final phase of the AHL project was agreed upon after negotiations between representatives of the two countries at this year’s China Helicopter Exposition.

The project stems from an intergovernmental agreement signed by Russia and China in 2016 to design the AHL and set up its series production in China. The agreement, approved by the Russian government in February 2017, makes it clear that the final result will be an almost completely Chinese product. Project management will be handed over to the Chinese party and the resultant helicopter will be chiefly aimed at the Chinese market.

Russian Helicopters will offer support by developing certain subsystems for the rotorcraft that will ultimately be manufactured in China.

“We have managed to come to a consensus with our Chinese partners regarding the technical specifications for the AHL,” said Russian Helicopters CEO Andrey Boginsky. “We now clearly envision the helicopter’s characteristics. At China Helicopter Exposition we carried out constructive negotionations with our Avicopter colleagues, during which we exchanged opinions about the project’s financial side. The Russian side […] will be ready to sign by the end of the year.”

The current agreement does not lay out a schedule. As of last year, officials hoped to have the AHL certified by 2025. Only civil roles are currently being mulled for the helicopter, although it is also expected to find some use with the Chinese military.

 

[Triton]

I wonder what they are trying to cover up with the white tape on the side of the model displayed at China Helicopter Expo 2017. The model number? Is the Advanced Heavylift Helicopter (ALH) still designated AC332? A Mil or Russian Helicopters logo?

 

[Hood]

I thought there was quite a resemblance to the Super Frelon remaining in that design.

 

[Triton]

The new design for the heavy lift seems a much more pragmatic approach, so I would assume it to be a more accurate proposal.

Al, just look at the size of transparencies and compare it to the same class Mi-26/46 ones. Dont you see something _strange_?

Perhaps this is closer to the actual design?

"Russia-China Collaborate for Advanced Heavy Lift Helicopter"
by IDR News Network
Issue Net Edition | Date : 14 Oct , 2015

Source:
http://www.indiandefencereview.com/news/russia-china-collaborate-for-advanced-heavy-lift-helicopter/

 

[Triton]

Information concerning the Sino-Russian AHL can also be found in this topic:

"Future Helicopters from Mil : Mi-46, Mi-54, Mi-58"

Source:
https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,5055.0.html