Harbin Aircraft Manufacture Corporation (HAMC) began to develop an attack variant of its Zhi-9 (Z-9) utility helicopter in the mid-1980s. The prototype was only intended for anti-armour role, carrying a roof-mounted optical sight unit and four HJ-8 anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) under the weapon pylons. This variant first flew in 1987 and the first live test fire of the missile from the helicopter took place in 1989. The formal production variant introduced in the early 1990s was also incorporated with a range of armaments, including 23mm cannon, 12.7mm machine gun pod, 57/90mm unguided rocket pod, and the TY-90 IR-homing short-range air-to-air missile.
Several dozens of the Z-9W attack helicopters were delivered to the PLA Army Aviation Corps 8th Army Aviation Group (Regiment) subordinated to 38th Group Army in Beijing Military Region in the mid-1990s. As a result of the PLA’s decision to give high priority to the Army Aviation Corps in its modernisation programme, more units have received the Z-9W after 2000. The total number of the helicopter fielded by the PLA is estimated to be 30~40.
In 2005, the PLA introduced the new improved Z-9WA “Night Attack Variant”, which features an under-nose observing and tracking unit developed by Luoyang Electro-Optics Technology Development Centre (EOTDC). The unit comprises a low-light TV and an infrared search and track (IRST), which would enable the helicopter to combat in all-weather, day/night conditions. Other improvements include redesigned weapon pylons to carry eight ATGM, self-defence electronic warfare suite, new cockpit with multi-function displays (MFD), and more powerful Turbomeca Arriel 2C engines.
The Z-9W inherited the original airframe of the Z-9/AS 365, which lacks the enhanced armour protections commonly found on dedicated attack helicopter designs and is therefore highly vulnerable to small calibre ground fire. Additionally, the large front profile of the helicopter makes it easier to be detected by the enemy, which may also result in higher loss rate in the battlefield. Nevertheless, the Z-9W provides the PLA with a stopgap before a more capable design becomes available.
The Z-9W attack helicopter is almost identical to the basic variant Z-9. The helicopter features two external pylons to carry weapons. Early variant has an optical sight mounted on the roof of the cockpit, while on the ‘Night Attack Variant’ this was replaced by an under-nose day/night observing and tracking unit.
Fixed weapons include two 23mm cannons. Two weapon pylons can carry four (or eight on the 'Night Attack Variant') HJ-8E wire-guided anti-tank missiles with a maximum range of 4,000m. The pylons could also carry two pods of 57mm or 90mm unguided rockets, or two 12.7mm machine gun pods. For air-to-air combat the helicopter can carry two TY-90 IR-guided short-range air-to-air missiles (range 6km).
The helicopter is powered by a Turbomeca Arriel-1C1 turboshaft, which is produced by SAEC at Zhuzhou as Wozhou-8A (WZ-8A). the fuel capacity is 1,140 litre, with option for 180 litre auxiliary tank. The improved night attack variant is powered by two improved 635kW (851hp) Arriel-II turboshaft engines.
The Z-9W attack helicopter derived from the Z-9A utility helicopter (Source: Chinese Internet)
The Z-9WA 'Night Attack variant' added with all-weather, day/night capability (Source: Chinese Internet)
The Z-9WA equipped with an under-nose night search & tracking unit and night vision helmets (Source: Chinese Internet)
The Z-9WA could carry up to eight HJ-8 ATGMs (Source: Chinese Internet)
