Chinese state-owned helicopter manufacturer Avicopter is partnering Russian Helicopters, the consortium that includes Mil, to develop a 20t-plus heavy-lift helicopter and hopes to have it flying within five to 10 years.
Avicopter vice-president international operations and marketing, Xia Qunlin, says the companies are conducting a feasibility study and "working out the general configuration". Russian Helicopters says the aircraft is likely to have a two-person crew.
Xia says the impetus for the move was the May 2008 earthquake that devastated Sichuan province and underscored China's need for more heavy-lift helicopters to help with disaster relief efforts.
He says this will be a "civil helicopter, but as you know, heavy-lift helicopters can be used for military purposes".
At the moment, Russian Helicopters is focused on selling more Mil Mi-26T heavy-lift helicopters to China, which bought its second of the type last year. The Mi-26T has a five-person crew and the helicopter can take 80 passengers.
Xia says Avicopter is also working to upgrade its 2t Z11 light helicopter, but he will not elaborate.
Source: Flight International