The Z-11 project started in 1989 and the first flight was made in Dec 1994. In Oct 2000, test flights of Z-11 were completed. The chief designer of Z-11 is Mr. Wu Ximing (吴希明), who is also the chief designer of three other Chinese helicopters, including the
Z-10. Under Mr. Wu, the Z-11 became the first Chinese helicopter to be completely designed using
CAD/CAM techniques.[2]
The Z-11WB, the attack and reconnaissance variant, features pintle mount weapons and two weapon pylons on each side of the aircraft.[3] The engine is replaced by Turbomeca Arriel 2B1A turboshaft engine developing 632 kW (848 shp) of power.[4]
Variants
Z-11
original unarmed version.
Z-11W
military version of the Z-11 (battlefield surveillance and reconnaissance, ground attack, and medical evacuation roles)[2]
Z-11WA
military reconnaissance and observation helicopter, fitted with a sensor pod.[2]
Z-11MB1
civilian and commercial version fitted with French Arriel 2B1A engine[5]
Z-11ME1
export civilian and commercial version.
CZ-11W
export light attack helicopter variation.[6] It is powered by one WZ-8D,
LTS101-700D-2 or Arriel 2B1A turboshaft engine and is equipped with integrated avionics systems, antitank missiles, rockets and machine guns. The helicopter is fitted with a targeting sensor turret, and can carry four Chinese HJ-8 antitank missiles.[5]
Z-11WB
First flight on 28 September 2015. Officially unveiled at
Zhuhai Airshow on 1 November 2016. Enhanced attack/reconnaissance variant with a new
EO ball, redesigned cockpit, SW-6 UAV, and pylons for weapons. Its roles include ground support, attack, battlefield reconnaissance, command, counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics, counter-smuggling, and other tasks.[7][4]
Specifications (Z-11J)
Data fromJane's All The World's Aircraft 2010–2011[8]