The latest rumor (September 2017) claimed that an improved variant called Z-9E is under development which might carry a bigger anti-ship missile.
Z-9D/9S Dauphin
The new
Z-9D anti-ship variant prototype is shown here. Based on
Z-9C,
Z-9D was developed to carry up to 4 AShMs under a pair of detachable stub wings against small surface targets. The missile could be the new
YJ-9, which may have been evolved from the earlier TL-10B developed by Hongdu. TL-10B is a light, radar-guided anti-ship missile used against smaller FACs and gun boats (<1,000t). Its range is 15km, speed is Mach 0.85 and its warhead weighs 30kg. The helicopter features a new fire-control radar (
KLC-3B) with embedded IFF antennas installed in a bigger nose cone and the weapon control officer is seated in the rear cabin. RWR antennas are installed on both sides of the nose and the tail rotor. The helicopter could provide target coordinates to the surface ship via datalink so that the later could launch YJ-83 AShM for over-the-horizon attack. This anti-ship variant has been seen stationed onboard the new
Type 056/056A FFGs. Two prototypes (001 & 002) were built. Currently
Z-9Ds are in service with PLAN (S/N
97x6,
98x6,
94x7). At least two
Z-9Ds (
Z-9S? S/N
370 &
371) have been converted to the SAR role with a nose mounted EO turret and a search light. It also has a hoist installed on the starboard side. Both helicopters are stationed onboard the aircraft carrier Liaoning. Additional
Z-9Ss have been built with emergency buoy launchers under its rear fuselage (S/N 84x0x). The latest rumor (September 2017) claimed that an improved variant called
Z-9E is under development which might carry a bigger anti-ship missile.