China's UH-60's

Hey there. I had a question about the UH-60 aircraft that China was given. I am curious to know why China has not produced any more modified versions of them (Like they did with the Z-8 and Z-9 helicopters) instead of the initial 20-30 and are instead going with a totaly new utility design.

The UH-60 seems to be a capable aircraft, and China has proven before they can re-produce forgien designs. So why havent they? I imagine there is a logical reason for this, probably something to do with a lack of Western-made parts, but this hardly seems to be a hinderance in the aformentioned Z-8 and 9. But I am still curious none the less.

West->China technology transfer was not a problem in the 80's when Z-8 and Z-9 programs began. There was a common enemy then (the USSR) so the West was much more interested to have a powerfull China. After 1989 everything changed. Also add to this the fact that the USA is much less open to tech transfer (they still have Iran 1979 in mind) than say France (who sold almost top of the line fighters to Iraq in the 80's)

I think the reasons lays in the engines, even the "reduced" engine proves to be hard for our engineers to duplicate.

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Plz excuse my grammar

Levelworm said:

I think the reasons lays in the engines, even the "reduced" engine proves to be hard for our engineers to duplicate.

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Plz excuse my grammar

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I don't think the engine is that big of a problem. Considering that China has been importing engines from P&W Canada under the civilian guise for the recent times, it follows that China could also import those engines for its own copy of UH-60.

Maybe China doesn't see the value in the helicopter. (Seems to me it does everything but does them all just short of profession. I still don't see how it is so advanced.) Afterall, they don't need to risk reverse-engineering it and end up even more isolated military wise, and the Mi-17s are doing them just as well outside Tibet.

sumdud on the UH-60

I still don't see how it is so advanced

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The UH-60 in service with the US Army and Navy is among the most advanced helos in its class.
However, we're talking here about the Chinese machines, which are the basic export version of the early UH-60A. The only advantage they have over the regular S-70A is the stronger engines and gearbox of the naval variant, plus some weather radar.
Indeed, the Mi-17V5 has more payload (or more range at the same payload), something very important for a large country like China.

Afterall, they don't need to risk reverse-engineering it and end up even more isolated military wise

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I don't think they can get more isolated military-wise from the USA than they are right now.