25/09/09
SOURCE:Flight International

China, Russia launch feasibility study on large helicopter
By Leithen Francis

Chinese state-owned helicopter manufacturer Avicopter is partnering Russian Helicopters, the consortium that includes Mil, to develop a 20t-plus heavy-lift helicopter and hopes to have it flying within five to 10 years.

Avicopter vice-president international operations and marketing, Xia Qunlin, says the companies are conducting a feasibility study and "working out the general configuration". Russian Helicopters says the aircraft is likely to have a two-person crew.

Xia says the impetus for the move was the May 2008 earthquake that devastated Sichuan province and underscored China's need for more heavy-lift helicopters to help with disaster relief efforts.

He says this will be a "civil helicopter, but as you know, heavy-lift helicopters can be used for military purposes".

At the moment, Russian Helicopters is focused on selling more Mil Mi-26T heavy-lift helicopters to China, which bought its second of the type last year. The Mi-26T has a five-person crew and the helicopter can take 80 passengers.

Xia says Avicopter is also working to upgrade its 2t Z11 light helicopter, but he will not elaborate.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/09/25/332719/china-russia-launch-feasibility-study-on-large-helicopter.html

The Chinese have been showing a lot of interest in the Mil Mi-46 in the last two years or so........guess we will have to wait and see. I think the Mi-46 is the best option though, for all of its capabilities, the Mi-26 is just too large and uneconomical, especially when it comes to the incorporation into a armed forces, with the Soviets it had its place, now its an expensive luxury. The Mi-46 makes more sense for the PLA and as well for future Russian and export needs(well, IMO).