Franco-Chinese Z-15 Helicopter Receives Nod to Enter Chinese Market

The Z-15 (AC352) medium-sized, multipurpose helicopter developed by France-based Airbus and China’s AVIC, has received a qualification certificate, making it eligible to enter China's civilian market.

The certificate was awarded by Civil Aviation Administration of China.

Z-15 is said to be the product of China's first completely equal cooperation project with the West. It was built with equal footing on both sides, with the two companies jointly investing and developing, as well as sharing risks, profits and markets, the Global Times learned from AVIC on Tuesday.

Equipped with the WZ-16 engine, which is jointly developed by the state-owned Aero Engine Corporation of China and French company Safran Helicopter Engines, the Z-15 has a conventional aerodynamic configuration, is equipped with two engines, and has a maximum takeoff weight of 7.5 tons and a maximum range of 850km. The helicopter can carry 16 passengers; and can be used for tasks including search and rescue, maritime drilling, personnel transport, medical assistance and commercial flight.

The Z-15 made its maiden flight in December 2016 in Harbin, Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. A variant for emergency rescue is reportedly under development.