Gyundoan-Han GH-30 Palsaekjo
| GH-30 Palsaekjo | |
|---|---|
| Role | Light utility helicopter |
| National origin | Menghe |
| Manufacturer | Gyundoan-Han Helicopter Factory |
| First flight | 1997 |
| Introduction | 2002 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | Menghean Army see below |
| Produced | 2001-present |
The Gyundoan-Han GH-30 Palsaekjo (fairy pitta) is a type of single-engine light utility helicopter developed in Menghe by the Gyundoan-Han design bureau. It can be used for a variety of roles, including troop transport, VIP transport, medical evacuation, search and rescue, command and control, reconnaissance, and ground attack. It is the first Menghean helicopter designed for both military use and the civilian market, with civilian variants designated GH-31 but sharing the Palsaekjo nickname.
Design
Capacity
In its standard configuration, the GH-30 has two seats in the cockpit for a pilot and copilot, and six seats in the passenger compartment: three at the rear facing forward, and three at the front facing to the rear. All seats are crash-resistant in the dedicated passenger variants, though canvas bench type seats can be installed in general-purpose variants. On the medevac variant, the passenger compartment has three seats and a single stretcher. On the gunship variants, the three forward passenger seats are removed to make space for pintle mounts for one or two machine guns or grenade launchers. To increase passenger capacity where required, the copilot's seat can also be used for passenger transport.
Variants
Civil variants
- GH-31-0
- Baseline utility version with the central compartment left empty to be modified by the customer.
- GH-31-G
- Police version with a searchlight mounted under the nose.
- GH-31-G1
- Upgraded police version with wire-cutting equipment above and below the fuselage to prevent entanglement.
- GH-31-Y
- VIP transport version. The passenger compartment contains five upholstered seats, two facing to the rear and three facing forward. The center forward-facing seat can also fold down into an armrest and table. This variant is also operated in small numbers by the Menghean Armed Forces.
Military variants
- GH-30G
- Military transport variant with six crash-resistant seats in the passenger compartment.
- GH-30N
- Gunship-transport variant with three passenger seats and a pintle mount on one side. This can be fitted with a variety of machine guns or grenade launchers.
- GH-30D
- Dedicated reconnaissance variant. The passenger compartment is filled with electronics and additional fuel tanks, and there is a cylindrical electro-optical sight on top of the rotor hub.
- GH-30R
- Dedicated gunship variant with stub wings on either side, each fitted with a single hardpoint for rocket pods and missiles. Also has a single fixed, forward-facing 7.5mm rotary gun under the left stub wing. The passenger compartment is used for gun ammunition storage, and the smaller side doors are held in place by latches and removed for maintenance and reloading only. An electro-optical module under the nose allows targeting of weapons.
- GH-30M
- New general-purpose Army variant introduced in 2017. Has a new under-nose optic and revised hardpoints which allow the retention of the original sliding doors. The forward group of 3 seats can be removed and replaced with a weapon pintle mount at an airbase or depot. Also has an up-rated Taesan T514-1 engine with improved power and exhaust cooling. Intended to replace the GH-30G, GH-30N, and GH-30R.
- GH-30GG
- Airborne ambulance (medevac helicopter) with space for one stretcher.
- GH-30H-0
- Protype Navy variant with folding rotor blades, corrosion-resistant treatment, and modified avionics. Also used as the baseline model for custom modifications.
- GH-30HG
- General-purpose Navy variant. Fitted with two hardpoints for rocket pods and missiles, as well as an electro-optical sight under the nose and an enlarged nose radar. Unlike the Army GH-30R, however, it omits the gun and retains the six-passenger capacity.
- GH-30HN
- Experimental Navy ASW variant with a dipping sonar that deploys out of the central compartment on a pivoting arm. No torpedo armament is carried.
Operators
- Azbekistani Army
- Dzhungestani Air Force
Specifications (GH-30G)
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 or 2
- Capacity: 6
- Length: 11.36 m (37 ft 3 in) fuselage only
- Height: 3.39 m (11 ft 1 in) to top of rotor hub
- Empty weight: 1,450 kg (3,197 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 2,685 kg (5,919 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Taesan T419-4 Turboshaft, 645 kW (865 hp)
- Main rotor diameter: 10.91 m (35 ft 10 in)
- Main rotor area: 93.48 m2 (1,006.2 sq ft)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 250 km/h (155 mph; 135 kn)
- Cruise speed: 220 km/h (137 mph; 119 kn)
- Never exceed speed: 261 km/h (162 mph; 141 kn)
- Range: 610 km (379 mi; 329 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 6,000 m (20,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 9.9 m/s (1,950 ft/min)