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Russia and China are going to sign a contract to create a joint Russian-Chinese Advanced Heavy Lifter (AHL) helicopter “in the coming days”, the Russian news agency TASS reported citing a source in the Russian government.
“The contract will be signed in the coming days. Only technical protocol formalities are left,” TASS quoted the source as saying said.
Earlier, First Deputy Chief of the Russian Government Staff Sergei Prikhodko said that that Russian Helicopters and China’s Avicopter are expected to sign a framework contract for the AHL helicopter development. He stated that the famework contract and its sub-contracts will be signed on November 7, during the 23rd regular meeting of the Russian and Chinese heads of government.
According to existing reports, the AHL helicopter will have a maximum takeoff weight of 38.2t, a service ceiling of 5,700m and a range of 630km. Its maximum speed is expected to be 300 km/h. The AHL helicopter’s lifting capacity will stand at 10t for internal cargo carriage and at 15t for underslung cargo.
Sounds like a very interesting product, especially with the Russian history and expertise of big helicopters and the Chinese with some billions to spend.
More joint weapon programs between Russia and China will be mutuallybeneficial.
Russian technology and Chinese manufacturing has got to be a winner.