Along with Pakistan, China is a primary user of the locally produced Harbin "Z-9" medium-lift multipurpose utility-minded military helicopter. The Z-9 is based on the French Airbus Helicopters (Eurocopter) AS365 "Dauphin" and produced, under license, by Harbin under the revised designation. Sensing the market potential for a civilian-minded version of its Z-9, AVICopter revealed the AC312 in 2015 and a first-flight was reported occurring on August 18, 2016. The helicopter is slated for service in the general transport, Search And Rescue (SAR) and medical transport industries.
Outwardly, the AC312 retains much of the form and function of the Z-9 and AC365 before it. A short nosecone sits ahead of the two-seat cockpit and a passenger cabin is fitted at midships. The engine compartment is set over the cabin and drives a four-bladed composite main rotor blade. The tail stem tapers to a Fenestron tail rotor unit (the rotor is shrouded on all sides for noise reduction and embedded into the tail fin). Vertical planes are seated on outcroppings along the tail stem, towards the aft section of the helicopter. The undercarriage is fully retractable and made up of two single-wheeled main legs and a double-wheeled nose leg.
Internally, the AC312 carries 2 x Safran "Arriel 2E" series turboshaft engines developing an estimated 1,000 horsepower each. Performance specs include a maximum speed of nearly 200 miles per hour, a range out to 515 miles and a service ceiling nearing 20,000 feet. The avionics fit is provided by American supplier Rockwell Collins. Dimensions constitute a length of 12 meters with a width (rotor diameter included) of 12 meters and a height of 4 meters.
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October 2019 - The AC312E production model is nearing certification according to an October 22nd, 2019 news release.
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Special-Mission: MEDical EVACuation (MEDEVAC)
Extraction of wounded combat or civilian elements by way of specialized onboard equipment and available internal volume or external carrying capability.
✓Special-Mission: Search & Rescue (SAR)
Ability to locate and extract personnel from areas of potential harm or peril (i.e. downed airmen in the sea).
✓Transport
General transport functionality to move supplies/cargo or personnel (including wounded and VIP) over range.
✓Commercial Aviation
Used in roles serving the commercial aviation market, ferrying both passengers and goods over range.
✓VIP Service
Used in the Very-Important-Person (VIP) passenger transport role, typically with above-average amenities and luxuries as standard.
Length
39.4 ft (12.00 m)
Width/Span
39.4 ft (12.00 m)
Height
13.1 ft (4.00 m)
Empty Wgt
5,291 lb (2,400 kg)
MTOW
9,921 lb (4,500 kg)
Wgt Diff
+4,630 lb (+2,100 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the base AVICopter AC312 production variant)
Installed:
2 x Safran Arriel 2E turboshaft engines developing 1,000 horsepower (estimated) and driving four-bladed main rotor and Fenestron-shrouded tail rotor.
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the base AVICopter AC312 production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)
None.
Supported Types
(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
AC312 - Base Series Designation
AC312C
AC312E - Model of 2019.
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
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