China’s AVIC has exhibited for the first time in public a scale model of the Advanced Heavy Lift (AHL), a new helicopter design that it is going to develop jointly with Russian Helicopters. The manufacturer’s stand at Airshow China 2018 featured a 1:8 scale model displayed by the China Helicopter Research and Development Institute (CHRDI) from Jingdezhen, Jiangxi. The starboard side was cut away to reveal four large freight containers inside the cargo cabin. Loading/unloading operations are intended to be undertaken through a large ramp at the rear.
Interestingly, the model had a somewhat different appearance than the three-view drawings published on leaflets. In particular, it had smaller sponsons affixed to the fuselage sides for the main landing gears. Additionally, the model featured a sleeker design of the air intake area, with what looks like an aerodynamic fairing ahead of the rounded air inlets for the engines.
The seven-blade main rotor and the five-blade anti-torque rotor are of conventional design. Generally, the AHL model bears an outward resemblance to the Mil Mi-26, the world’s largest rotorcraft, which serves as a basis. Differences include an altered upper fuselage design and the addition of landing gear sponsons. AHL’s normal takeoff is given at 38.7 tonnes and gross weight at 42 tonnes, as opposed to 49.5 and 56 tonnes for the Mi-26, respectively. AVIC handouts also contain design target figures, including a maximum range of 800 km (432 nautical miles), cruise speed of 270 km/h (146 knots) and service ceiling of 6,000 m (19,685 ft).
The AHL must carry a maximum load of 15 tonnes on a sling and 10 tonnes inside the cabin, and be able to transport five tonnes of freight to and from a helipad 4,500 meters (14,760 feet) above sea level. From the view of design targets, the AHL appears closer to the 33-tonne-gross-weight Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion and even more so to the CH-53K King Stallion, than the Mi-26. According to local media reports, investments required for the AHL project are estimated at $2 billion, with AVIC hoping for a production run of 200.
According to inter-governmental agreements between Beijing and Moscow, AVIC wall play the leading role in the AHL project, including both design and manufacturing. Russian companies will work with AVIC as vendors and contractors. At Airshow China 2018, Andrei Boginsky, general director at Russian Helicopters, told AIN that his company will take part in the AHL project under a contract with AVIC, but one has yet to be signed. “This is a Chinese project in which my company will be working on a contractual basis with the project leader,” he said.
Russia’s Aviadvigatel is developing the 12,000-hp PD-12V turboshaft, using the core from the recently certified PD-14 turbofan. This engine is intended for use in an updated Mi-26 as well as the AHL, but China may well choose instead the Ivchenko Progress D-136T manufactured by Ukraine’s Motor-Sich company that is powering the Mi-26. Signing of a framework agreement on the AHL between AVIC and its industrial partners in Russia was expected during the visit of Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev to China on November 5 through 7 but did not happen. No new date has yet been set.