D
Air ForcesChina

Z-18J (Bat)

Airborne early warning helicopterFielded 2018Pending verification
Air ForcesCHN
Length 23 m
Identification silhouette. Not drawn to scale between entries.
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeAirborne early warning helicopter
Date of introduction2018
ProliferationOrigin country only
ManufacturerAvicopter (Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation)Med[1]
Crew2Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Length23 m75 ftMed[1]
Height7 m23 ftMed[1]
Empty weight9,800 kg21,605 lbMed[1]
Flight performance
Engine3 x WZ-6CMed[1]
Thrust / power3 x 1 752 shpMed[1]
Speed336 km/h209 mph · 181 ktMed[1]
Cruise speed250 km/hMed[1]
Range900 km559 mi · 486 nmiMed[1]
Ferry range1 600 kmMed[1]
Service ceiling9,000 m29,528 ftMed[1]
Rate of climb6.67 m/sMed[1]
Protection
Counter Measures (Chaff/Flares)Chaff/flare launchers were installed in the floats.Med[1]
Armament and payload
Hardpoints4Med[1]
Sonobuoys: basic load32Med[1]
Sonobuoys30 small openings are positioned along its rear loading ramp for dropping sonobuoys.Med[1]
ArmamentYJ-83; NATO: CSS-N-8 SaccadeMed[1]
Fire control
Surface and Search RadarThe radar is thought to be a long-range multi-mode AESA developed by the 38th Institute (detection range ~200km).Med[1]
Variants
Z-18Based on the Avicopter AC313 design, it features a modified lowered fuselage and an improved WZ-6C turboshaft. A nose-mounted weather radar as well as FLIR and TV turrets were installed. Additional communication and navigation antennae are also added.[1]
Z-8GArmy version with an extended nose housing a terrain following radar and EO turret.[1]
Z-18FAnti-submarine version with surface radar, dipping sonar, hardpoints intended for torpedoes/missiles, and sonobuoys.[1]
Z-18JAEW variant with a multimode active electronically scanned array radar from the 38th Institute.[1]
Weapons and payload options · 1Confidence · Source
YJ-83; NATO: CSS-N-8 SaccadeAnti-Ship Cruise Missile
Med[1]
Range
180 km112 mi · 97 nmi
Type
Anti-Ship Cruise Missile
Guidance
Inertial navigation/active radar homing terminal guidance
Warhead
190 kg high-explosive fragmentation
Speed
Mach 0.9
Summary

Z-18J naval airborne early warning helicopter. It has been developed for the Chinese navy.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
China
Sources
  1. Z-18J (Bat) Chinese Airborne Early Warning (AEW) Helicopter, U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-10 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import