Haigao Z.38

The Haigao Z.38 is a twin-engine, tandem seat, multi-role, all-weather developed by Central Haigao Aircraft Works. The helicopter is designed for advanced attack and reconnaissance missions in environments and rough geography in both day and night conditions. The programme was begun to meet the Imperial Kodeshi Air Force requirements for an attack and helicopter. It entered service in 1989 with a total production run exceeding 100 helicopters. It has been exported to various countries including Theyka.

Origins
In 1979, the Kodeshi military studied the problem of countering large armour formations. It concluded that the best conventional solution was to use attack helicopters. By the mid-1980s, the Kodeshi decided a dedicated attack helicopter was required. The NAH programme was begun to meet the Imperial Kodeshi Air Force requirements for an attack and tactical reconnaissance helicopter. The new aircraft would have to be capable of carrying out strike operations against enemy ground forces while providing close air support to infantry units. In addition, it needed to operate from unprepared landing grounds under adverse weather conditions, at low altitude over hostile territory and with limited visibility. It had to carry enough fuel for long endurance flights; it must not require specialised pilot training or maintenance facilities; it should be able to take off from short runways; and it should be simple to maintain and repair. The new helicopter's armament should include guns for anti-tank warfare as well as missiles for precision strikes on targets such as command posts and observation points. The aircraft should be relatively small so that it could land on unimproved surfaces and transport troops into combat zones. It should be light enough to lift onto ships for amphibious assaults. A compact design was essential because the aircraft would need to fit inside existing hangars and other structures.

Design
The resulting design is known as the Haigao Z.38. This is a single engine, tandem seat, multi-role, all-weather attack helicopter. Its fuselage has a circular cross section. There are two main rotor blades each mounted above and behind its tail unit. These provide forward propulsion and stability during hover flight. The Z.38 shares considerable design similarities to Haigao's earlier utility helicopter; the rear section of the Z.38 was derived from the Z.36 and incorporated to an entirely new forward section. The fuselage is highly angular and armoured for ballistic protection; the composite rotor blades are also able to withstand hits from 23mm cannon fire. The two man crew, comprising a pilot and gunner, sit in a conventional tandem cockpit. The Z.38 was optimized for hot and high conditions. The design features a 35 mm gatling-style autocannon in a nose turret. It can carry a combination of 70 mm rocket pods, missile pods, and gun pods on its stub wing pylons. The Z.38 can be used in the anti-armour, armed reconnaissance, ground attack, escort, fire support and anti-aircraft roles.

Power is provided by a pair of CAIC C9T-590 turboshaft engines, the engines have been designed to incorporate infrared heat signature reduction measures. One of the key protective measures incorporated onto the Z.38 include the electronic warfare and self-protection suite. Elements of the mission interface systems and the onboard software integrated onto later aircraft were produced by the Nangong Industrial Group.

The Z.38 is equipped with infrared night vision systems and is capable of operating at day or night in all-weather conditions. Laser systems are fitted onto newer aircraft for range-finding and target designation purposes, the Z.38 can laser-designate targets for other friendly aircraft to attack.

Operational history
The first prototype flew on 20 December 1989, powered by a CAIC C9T-590A, with a test programme lasting until 1997. The second prototype was built in 1998 and completed testing in 1999. Early prototypes successfully took part in flight and armament tests in late 1980s taking part in the local insurgencies. The First serial production models Z.38GZs were delivered to the Imperial Kodeshi Air Force in March 2001. The variant was accepted into service with the Imperial Kodeshi Air Force and it was assumed the Z.38GZ would fully replace the older Z.36GZ variant in the Imperial Kodeshi Air Force by 2025.

In October 2014, six Z.38GZs of the Imperial Kodeshi Air Force took part in a joint Kodeshi-Akitei military exercise. Where Haigao's Z.38GZ helicopters and Akitei aircraft performed simulated attacks against a mock enemy tank formations. This was the first time that the Z.38 attack helicopters have participated in such an exercise. It was also the first ever live combat exercises for the type where it demostrated its ability to perform close air support missions.

In September 2017, a prototype of upgraded Z.38GZT helicopter performed its maiden flight. The Kodeshi Defence Ministry has ordered first batch of Z.38GZT helicopters in December 2017, not disclosing the number of helicopters ordered. In May 2018, a Z.38GZT prototype was seen accompanied by a Z.36GZs during a combat sortie over a rebel-held territory in the northwestern regions of Kodeshia. It was reportedly used to provide close air support to ground troops and to suppress enemy anti-air defences while attacking insurgents' positions. The new Z.38GZTs are powered by more powerful 1200 kW (1600 hp) CAIC C9T-590B engines with a greater thrust to weight ratio than the previous engine. It also features a larger fuel capacity. The new model's avionics includes an active electronically scanned array radar, a digital synthetic aperture radar, and a GPS.

Future and potential operators
In 2021, Kitoko showed interest in acquiring Z.38 with Kodeshia offering it in the tender put forward by Kitoko.

Prototype Models

 * Z-38YM
 * F = 原型; Yuánxíng ("Prototype"), M = 模型; Móxíng ("Model")
 * Prototype for basic tests. Not all has the same layout in that some had fenestron configuration while others had traditional tail rotor configuration, some had chin gun turret while other had chain gun; some had nose-mounted electro-optical system while others had mast-mounted electro-opical system.


 * Z.38FM
 * F = 发展; Fāzhǎn ("Development"), M = 模型; Móxíng ("Model")
 * Pre-production series powered by CAIC C9T-590A turboshaft engine.

Production Models

 * Z-38G
 * G = 攻击; Gōngjí ("Attack")
 * Initial production variant powered with a more powerful CAIC C9T-590B turboshaft engine. All weather day-night version, features a glass cockpit and advanced sensors, radar, thermographic camera-TV, and a laser rangefinder.


 * Z-38GX
 * G = 攻击; Gōngjí ("Attack"), X = 现代化 Xiàndàihuà ( "Modernization")
 * Upgraded variant first unveiled in 2017 with active and passive countermeasures, missile approach warning system, radar warning receiver, new engine exhaust nozzle pointed upwards to reduce infrared signature, new intake filtration systems and armour panels, more powerful 1200 kW engine, larger ammunition magazine, appliqué graphene-based armour panels, infrared jammer, and a new IFF interrogator.


 * Z-38J
 * J = 教練機; Jiàoliànjī ("Trainer")
 * Training version, designed for training for Z-38GZ . Has dual hydromechanical flight controls that can be operated from tandem cockpits, a more spacious lower cockpit to house a flight instructor, a wider pilot canopy, and new energy-absorbing crew seats. Serves as a trainer but can perform attack helicopter tasks.

Operators
 Kodeshia  Theyka
 * Imperial Kodeshi Air Force 100+ delivered, with more ordered.
 * The Royal Theykan Army operates 20 Z-38GXs, fitted with additional avionics installed by the Theykan TAS System. Deliveries started in 2013 and ended in 2015.