China is ready to put the Z-18F anti-submarine medium helicopter aboard the Liaoning, the PLA NAvy's first aircraft carrier, according to the state-run Global Times on July 13.
Designed based on the French Aerospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon, the Z-18, which was created by Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAIC), is a medium transport helicopter. It is a single-rotor helicopter powered by three improved WZ-6 turboshaft engines and has a maximum takeoff weight of 13.8 tons. CAIC produced two types of Z-18 helicopters for the PLA's naval forces. One is the Z-18J which is used to carry out early warning operations while the other, the Z-18F, is to be used for anti-submarine warfare. Global Times said the "F" is short for "Fanqian" which means anti-sumbarine in Chinese.
Read the full story at Want China Times