{
  "id": "z-8",
  "name": "Z-8 (Zhishengji-8)",
  "aliases": [],
  "domain": "air",
  "country": "CHN",
  "category": "Multi-role helicopter",
  "status": null,
  "fielded": 1976,
  "operators": [
    "CHN"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 1,
  "summary": "The Changhe Z-8 (Zhishengji-8) is a triple-engine, multi-role helicopter designed and manufactured by the Changhe Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG) of China. It is derived from SA 321 Super Frelon Helicopter built by Aerospatiale.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Manufacturer",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "Sud Aviation Aérospatiale",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 3,
      "src": [
        "weg-z-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Hardpoints",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "2 ea",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_name",
      "v": "3 x Turbomeca Turmu IIIC Turboshaft Engines",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thrust / power",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "1,570 hr each engine",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "range_km",
      "v": 1020,
      "src": [
        "weg-z-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "ceiling_m",
      "v": 3150,
      "src": [
        "weg-z-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Rate of climb",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "401 meters per min; 6.66 m/s",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Endurance",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "4 hours",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fire Control Radar",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Bar-shape Array",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Dipping Sonar",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes, HS-12 dipping sonar",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Sonobuoys",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Available",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Sensors note",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "The Helicopter can carry anti-submarine and Anti-ship torpedoes externally",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "NBC Protection",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Counter Measures (Chaff/Flares)",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Wing Mounted Weapons",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "The helicopter can accommodate rockets and gun pods on the external pylons for anti-piracy missions.",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "armament",
      "v": "YJ-8/C-802 (NATO: CSS-N-4 Sardine); YJ-83 (CSS-N-8 Saccade); A244S Torpedo",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [
    {
      "name": "YJ-8/C-802 (NATO: CSS-N-4 Sardine)",
      "role": "Anti-Ship & Air-to-Surface Missiles",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Type": "Anti-Ship & Air-to-Surface Missiles",
        "Guidance": "Inertial navigation/active radar homing terminal guidance",
        "Warhead": "High-explosive fragmentation",
        "Warhead weight": "165 kg",
        "Speed": "Mach 0.9",
        "Length": "5.81 m"
      },
      "range_km": 42,
      "qty": "2 ea"
    },
    {
      "name": "YJ-83 (CSS-N-8 Saccade)",
      "role": "Subsonic anti-ship cruise missile",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Type": "Subsonic anti-ship cruise missile",
        "Guidance": "Inertial navigation/active radar homing terminal guidance",
        "Warhead": "High-explosive fragmentation",
        "Warhead weight": "190 kg",
        "Speed": "Mach 0.9"
      },
      "range_km": 180,
      "qty": "2 ea"
    },
    {
      "name": "A244S Torpedo",
      "role": "Fire and Forget Torpedo",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-8"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Type": "Fire and Forget Torpedo",
        "Length": "2.75 m"
      },
      "range_km": 6
    }
  ],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "Z-8A",
      "text": "The Z-8A is a military version of the original model Z-8 and is used for transportation.",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-8"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Z-8D",
      "text": "The Z-8D is a latest-generation variant of the long‑running Z‑8 helicopter family, optimized specifically for naval operations and amphibious assault support.",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-8"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Z-8F",
      "text": "The Z-8F is an advance utility variant. The variant is used for search and rescue, general utility and logistics support missions. The Z-8F is installed with three Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67B turboshaft engines.",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-8"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Z-8K/KA",
      "text": "The Z-8K is an enhanced version of Z-8F, built primarily to execute search and rescue missions. This variant is also fitted with forward looking infra-red (FLIR) sensors and a search light underneath the cockpit.",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-8"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Z-8JA",
      "text": "The Z-8JA is a ship-borne variant of Z-8. It is able to land on water. Z-8JA and Z-8JH are currently in service with PLANAF, executing transport and medical evacuation operations respectively.",
      "src": [
        "weg-z-8"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "helicopter",
  "image": null,
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/z-8.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-z-8": {
      "title": "Z-8 (Zhishengji-8) Chinese Multi-Role Helicopter",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/Z-8_Zhishengji-8_Chinese_Multi-Role_Helicopter",
      "published": "2026-06-30",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}