Chinese Heavy-lift AC332 Helicopter Completes Cockpit Design Evaluation

The Chinese AC332 heavy lift civil helicopter has completed its cockpit design evaluation which was held on June 7.

Technicians and test pilots signed off on the cockpit design features which include the main display and control equipment, laying the ground for subsequent model development and related test verification, the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) said.

A total of 3 helicopters of this type are being developed in AVIC's helicopter manufacturing facility in Tianjin. Among them, the 001 model is a static test machine, and the 002 and 003 helicopters are scientific research and flight test prototypes.

A review meeting to take stock of the AC332 project was jointly organized by Aviation Industry Hafei and Shenyang Aircraft Airworthiness Certification Center of Civil Aviation of China, AVIC said without specifying when it took place.

It was held through a combination of "online and offline", and 6 venues were set up in Beijing, Shenyang, Chengdu, Zhuhai, Tianjin and Harbin. Some 26 representatives from 6 related units in the industry attended the meeting, it said.

The AC332 is an advanced twin-engine helicopter with a single rotor. With a capacity of 10 passengers, it can be used in emergency rescue, law enforcement, high-altitude and offshore operations among others.

The design of AC332 has been completed and an integrated production line for riveting, assembly and flight test will be built at the AVIC Helicopter Co., Tianjin, Xinhua News had reported in 2021.

The AC332 is expected to make its maiden flight in 2022 and delivered in 2025.

Chinese-Russian Advanced Heavy-Lift Helicopter project

The AC332 is believed to be the Advanced Heavy Lift (AHL) project regarding which an intergovernmental agreement was signed by Russia and China in 2016. As per the agreement, Russia will help in the design of the helicopter and development of some components while the production will be completely Chinese.

The AC332 will fly with engines supposedly sourced from Ukraine at least for the prototypes and initial batches. Details of its engines has not been disclosed by AVIC.

Scale models of the AC332 displayed at Chinese air shows match that of the AHL. Prior to being designated as AC332, the helicopter was known by its AHL nomenclature.