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Air ForcesChina

Z-18 (White Heron)

Medium transport helicopterFielded 2018Pending verification
Air ForcesCHN
Length 23 m
Identification silhouette. Not drawn to scale between entries.
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeMedium transport helicopter
Date of introduction2018
ProliferationOrigin country only
ManufacturerAvicopter (Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation)Med[1]
Crew2Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Length23 m75 ftMed[1]
Height7 m23 ftMed[1]
Empty weight9,800 kg21,605 lbMed[1]
Flight performance
Engine3 x WZ-6CMed[1]
Thrust / power3 x 1 752 shpMed[1]
Speed336 km/h209 mph · 181 ktMed[1]
Service ceiling9,000 m29,528 ftMed[1]
Range900 km559 mi · 486 nmiMed[1]
Ferry range1 600 kmMed[1]
Fire control
Sensors noteThe helicopter is fitted with a nose-mounted weather radar and FLIR/TV turret.Med[1]
Variants
Z-18AZ-18A is an utility variant for the Chinese army. The army version has a further protruding nose section. A terrain-following radar is fitted under the nose. It is expected to replace the old Z-8A.[1]
Z-18Based on the Avicopter AC313 design, it features a modified lowered fuselage and an improved WZ-6C turboshaft. A nose-mounted weather radar as well as FLIR and TV turrets were installed. Additional communication and navigation antennae are also added.[1]
Z-8GArmy version with an extended nose housing a terrain following radar and EO turret.[1]
Z-18FAnti-submarine version with surface radar, dipping sonar, hardpoints intended for torpedoes/missiles, and sonobuoys.[1]
Z-18JAEW variant with a multimode active electronically scanned array radar from the 38th Institute.[1]
Summary

The Changhe Z-18 is a medium transport helicopter developed by Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAIC) to replace the Z-8. The Z-18 is the largest military helicopter ever developed in China.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
China
Sources
  1. Z-18 (White Heron) Chinese Medium Transport Helicopter, U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-10 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import