Attack chopper makes flight at expo

Light-duty Z-11WB offers developing countries multiple deployment options

State-owned Aviation Industry Corp of China showed off its newest light-duty attack helicopter with a flight performance on Friday, aiming to attract buyers from developing countries at the four-day Fourth China Helicopter Expo, which opened on Thursday in Tianjin.

The Z-11WB, developed and made by AVIC Changhe Aircraft Industry in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, is a militarized version of the AC311A multirole civil helicopter and can conduct reconnaissance and ground assault operations. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 2,250 kilograms, maximum cruising speed of 240 km/h, flight ceiling of 6,000 meters and operational range of 680 km, according to AVIC Changhe.