헬리콥터 중국의 신형 틸트로터기

[위종민]

이번엔 신형 틸트로터기가 공개됐네요. MV-22보다는 작은, 개발중인 AW-609 정도의 크기로 보인다고 분석합니다. 

중국, 첫 유인 틸트로터 항공기 시험비행 돌입 이 설계는 명백한 군사적 용도를 지니지만, 이 급의 실용적인 항공기를 성공적으로 개발하는 일은 결코 쉽지 않다. 토머스 뉴딕 2025년 8월 18일 오후 12:43 EDT

중국에서 지금까지 알려지지 않았던 새로운 틸트로터 항공기가 등장해 이미 시험비행에 돌입했다. 프로그램은 여전히 베일에 싸여 있지만, 이 급의 항공기에 대한 중국의 관심이 커지고 있음을 보여준다. 지금까지 중국의 유사 프로젝트들은 주로 민간 임무를 표방했지만, 인민해방군(PLA)이 인도·태평양 전역에서 활동 반경을 확대하는 가운데, 틸트로터기는 분명한 군사적 활용 가능성을 갖는다.

새 틸트로터기의 제식명칭과 설계 기관은 아직 알려지지 않았으나, 경비행기와 헬리콥터 제작으로 잘 알려진 하페이 항공공업이 담당했다는 미확인 소문이 있다. 하페이는 하얼빈에 본사를 둔 하얼빈사의 자회사로, 베이징에도 거점을 두고 있다. 과거 중국 국영 항공우주방산 복합체 AVIC(중국항공공업집단)은 이와 유사한 외형의 틸트로터 모델을 공개한 바 있다.

공개된 이미지가 언제, 어디서 촬영된 것인지는 불분명하지만 최근 소셜미디어를 통해 확산되었다. 한 이미지는 격납고에 주기된 새로운 틸트로터를 보여주며, 그 뒤에는 같은 기체의 또 다른 시제기가 주기되어 있다.

전체적으로 이 중국 틸트로터는 기본적인 구성과 외형에서 레오나르도 AW609와 유사하다. 직선 날개 아래에 객실이 달리고, 날개 끝 포드형 엔진에 터보샤프트 엔진이 장착되어 있다. 각 회전 가능한 포드에는 프로프로터가 달려 비행 모드에 따라 다양한 각도로 위치할 수 있다.

이 설계는 V-22 오스프리처럼 포드 전체가 회전하는 구형 개념 대신, 벨 V-280 발러에서 채택한 신세대 틸트로터 방식을 적용했다. 여기서는 엔진 포드 전체가 아니라 전방부만 회전하는 방식으로, 복잡성을 줄이고 신뢰성과 성능을 높인 것으로 평가된다.

동체 후방은 고익 T자형 꼬리날개를 채택했으며, AW609와 달리 방향타가 장착되어 있다. 기수 양옆에는 조종석 출입용 소형 도어가 있고, 우측에는 객실 출입용 대형 도어가 있다. 세발식 착륙장은 수납식이며, 각 장치에 단일 바퀴가 장착되어 있다.

크기 면에서 이 신형 틸트로터는 AW609와 비슷한 급으로 보인다. 이탈리아 설계인 AW609는 미국산 V-22보다 훨씬 작아 최대 이륙중량이 1만8천 파운드에 불과한 반면, 오스프리는 수직이착륙 모드에서 5만2천 파운드에 달한다. AW609는 압력조절 객실을 갖추어 최대 12명을 수송할 수 있으며, 오스프리는 그 두 배 이상을 태울 수 있다. 또한 오스프리는 후방램프, 공중급유 프로브, 외부 슬링 화물 수송능력을 갖추고 있다.

AW609는 순항속도 270노트, 보조연료 탑재 시 최대 항속거리 1,000해리, 6,000파운드의 유효탑재량과 600파운드급 도어 호이스트를 갖는다. 초기에는 민간용으로 소개되었지만, 전투탐색구조(CSAR), 특수작전, 상륙작전, 인도적 지원·재난구호 등 군사적으로도 활용 잠재력이 크다.

중국의 틸트로터도 공식 공개 시 민간용 플랫폼으로 설명될 수 있으나, 그 성능은 성공 시 PLA의 관심을 끌 수밖에 없다. 지난해 말 등장한 대형 틸트로터 무인기 UR6000도 처음에는 민간용이라 했지만, 이후 PLA 표식이 달린 렌더링 이미지가 공개되었다. 최대이륙중량 1만3천 파운드 이상으로 AW609와 비슷한 급이다.

PLA 입장에서 이 급의 틸트로터는 인도·태평양 전장에서 폭넓은 임무에 적합하다. 활주로 없는 지역에서도 작전을 유지할 수 있어야 하며, 남중국해의 중국 전초기지에 화물을 수송하는 능력이 중요하다. 또한 영유권 분쟁이 있는 각종 섬에 대한 작전에도 투입할 수 있다. PLA 해군의 상륙강습함 함대가 확대되는 상황에서, 틸트로터는 이상적인 함재 수송기로 쓰일 수 있다.

다만 이 신형 기체는 현재 중국 상륙군의 중형수송헬기 Z-8/Z-18을 대체하기에는 너무 작다. 그러나 소형 Z-9나 Z-20 헬기 일부 임무를 대체할 수 있고, 향후 더 큰 틸트로터 개발을 위한 경험적 기반이 될 수 있다.

틸트로터 설계는 헬리콥터의 수직이착륙 능력과 고정익 항공기의 속도·항속 성능을 결합하는 장점이 있지만, 그만큼 기술적 난도가 크다. V-22는 운용에 들어가기까지 오랜 개발 난관을 겪었고, 현재도 가용률 문제와 기술적 결함에 시달린다. AW609 역시 지연과 치명적 추락사고를 겪으며 개발의 어려움을 보여주었다.

중국의 신형 틸트로터는 V-22보다는 훨씬 저렴할 것으로 보이지만, 성능 면에서는 크게 못 미칠 것이다. 중국은 항공기를 해외에 수출하는 데 점차 성공하고 있지만, 틸트로터 수출에는 더 큰 장벽이 있을 수 있다. 오스프리조차 미 해병대에서 실전 운용되었음에도 일본에만 소수 판매되었고, 이스라엘과 인도네시아 등은 관심만 표했다.

따라서 이 신형 중국 틸트로터가 민간·공공·군수 분야에서 실제 운용에 들어가기까지는 시간이 걸릴 수 있다. 그러나 비행 시제기가 등장했다는 사실 자체가, 향후 인도·태평양에서 예상되는 섬 점령전 양상의 작전에 매우 적합한 이 기종에 대한 중국의 관심을 뚜렷하게 보여준다. 첫 유인 틸트로터라는 점에서, 이번 설계는 중국 내 다른 틸트로터 구상들의 실현을 촉진하는 계기가 될 수 있다.

China’s First Crewed Tiltrotor Aircraft Is Flying

China’s First Crewed Tiltrotor Aircraft Is Flying

China’s First Crewed Tiltrotor Aircraft Is Flying

The design has clear military applications, but successfully developing a practical aircraft in this class is far from easy.

Thomas Newdick

Aug 18, 2025 12:43 PM EDT

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Anew tiltrotor aircraft has appeared in China and is already undergoing flight testing — the first of its kind to take to the air in that country, at least that we know about. While the program remains generally mysterious, it’s further evidence of growing Chinese interest in this class of aircraft. Although previous similar Chinese projects have typically been pitched for civilian missions, tiltrotors have clear military applications as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) continues to expand its reach across the Indo-Pacific region and seeks to assert control over the South China Sea.

A front view of the new tiltrotor parked in a hangar.

The designation of the new tiltrotor, as well as its design agency, remains unknown. However, there are unconfirmed rumors that Hafei Aviation Industry, best known as a manufacturer of light airplanes and helicopters, is responsible. Hafei is a subsidiary of Harbin, which is based in the city of the same name, but also has a presence in Beijing.

In the past, models of similar-looking tiltrotors have been presented by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the country’s state-owned aerospace and defense conglomerate, which includes various different companies.

It’s also unclear when and where the available images originate from, but they began to circulate on social media recently. One image shows the new tiltrotor parked in a hangar, with another prototype of the same aircraft parked directly behind it.

Overall, the Chinese tiltrotor is broadly similar in basic configuration and appearance to the Leonardo AW609, an aircraft we have looked at in detail in the past. The layout includes a cabin slung below a straight wing, with turboshaft engines in nacelles mounted at the wingtips. Each rotatable pod has a proprotor that can be positioned at various angles for different flight modes and regimes.

The design has adopted Bell’s new-generation tiltrotor technology, as used in the V-280 Valor, where instead of the whole nacelle rotating, only the front portion pivots. This solution is said to decrease complexity and increase reliability, as well as performance, compared with earlier tiltrotor concepts where the whole nacelle rotates, like on the V-22 Osprey — currently, the only in-service tiltrotor aircraft.

The V-280 Valor demonstrator during a test flight. Bell 

The empennage on the Chinese design comprises a conventional high-mounted T-tail. It has a rudder, a feature that’s absent from the AW609, which instead relies on its proprotors to control yaw.

There is a small door that provides access to the flight deck on each side of the fuselage, with a larger door on the right-hand side providing cabin access on the opposite side. The tricycle undercarriage is retractable, with a single wheel on each unit.

In terms of size, the new Chinese tiltrotor appears to be in the same class as the AW609. The Italian design is considerably smaller than the U.S.-made V-22, with a maximum gross weight of 18,000 pounds compared with 52,000 pounds for the Osprey (in VTOL mode).

Equipped with a pressurized cabin, the AW609 can accommodate up to 12 passengers in a high-density configuration, while a V-22 carries double that, or more still, depending on seating arrangement. The Osprey also comes equipped with a rear ramp, an aerial refueling probe, and the ability to transport slung loads.

A quartet of U.S. Marine Corps MV-22Bs seen flying over Australia in 2022. U.S. Marine Corps

The performance parameters for the AW609 include a cruising speed of 270 knots, a range of up to 1,000 nautical miles with auxiliary fuel, and the ability to carry a useful load of 6,000 pounds, plus a 600-pound door hoist.

Nevertheless, as we have discussed in the past, the AW609 has clear military potential, especially for certain specialist missions, despite initially being pitched for civilian work. Military missions in which tiltrotors are especially relevant include combat search and rescue (CSAR), special operations, amphibious assault, as well as humanitarian and disaster relief.

Video of the AW609 AC4, fully representative of the final production configuration:

China’s tiltrotor, once formally unveiled, might well also be publicly described as a platform for commercial operations, but its capabilities mean that, if successful, it will surely catch the eye of the PLA too.

The same was the case with China’s UR6000, a large tiltrotor drone that appeared in prototype form late last year. While also stated as being developed for civilian missions, at least one rendering on the manufacturer’s website now shows the UR6000 in PLA markings, the aircraft joins a growing family of fixed-wing Chinese transport drones that have dual-role civilian and military applications. The UR6000 has a stated maximum takeoff weight of over 13,000 pounds, putting it in broadly the same category as the crewed AW609.

Concept artwork of a PLA version of the UR6000 uncrewed tiltrotor. United Aircraft

For the PLA, a tiltrotor in the class of the newly appeared aircraft seems to be very well suited to a range of missions, especially in the Indo-Pacific theater. Here, the ability to maintain wartime operations without access to conventional airstrips is a key requirement. At the same time, the PLA has a significant requirement to deliver cargoes to remote locations, including Chinese island outposts in the South China Sea. Other mission areas could include any of the various islands, the ownership of which is disputed between China and other nations in the region.

The same kinds of concerns are meanwhile forcing the U.S. military to rethink how best to address expeditionary missions in this environment. For the PLA, meanwhile, fighting in these kinds of areas is fundamental to its doctrine, reinforcing China’s broader strategic ambitions to expand its reach across the Pacific, including operations from small island airstrips as well as a growing fleet of amphibious assault ships that would be ideal platforms for hosting a tiltrotor transport.

The first production-representative AW609 tiltrotor aboard the Italian Navy aircraft carrier Cavour. Leonardo

Ultimately, the new tiltrotor would be too small to supplant the Change Z-8/Z-18 medium-lift helicopters that currently provide the most significant aerial lift capacity to China’s amphibious forces, which are steadily adding more capabilities and growing in size. However, a navalized version of the tiltrotor could potentially take over some of the missions flown by the smaller Harbin Z-9 and the Black Hawk-like Harbin Z-20, which is fast becoming a more regular presence on PLA Navy vessels. Experience with the smaller tiltrotor would also provide very valuable data that could then inform the development of scaled-up versions or larger aircraft with the same capabilities.

A bow view of the enormous Type 076 amphibious assault ship during its launch ceremony. Chinese Internet

Like all tiltrotor designs, the Chinese offering combines the distinct advantages and disadvantages of these types of aircraft.

To begin with, the rotors at the ends of its wings ensure the vertical takeoff and landing versatility of a helicopter. With the engine nacelles rotated, the aircraft will offer performance that is much closer to what’s possible with conventional fixed-wing turboprop aircraft, especially in terms of speed and range.

But ensuring those benefits can be achieved is a very costly endeavor and one that includes numerous penalties in terms of technological complexity. The V-22 had a fairly torturous path to service. Now that it’s operational, the V-22’s remarkable attributes continue to be balanced against less-than-outstanding readiness figures and a host of technical problems that have hampered its availability.

It’s also worth recalling that the AW609 has been in interminable development for many years, punctuated by delays and a fatal crash, reflecting the huge challenges of building a practical aircraft in this class.

Like the AW609, the Chinese design should be considerably cheaper than the V-22, although it doesn’t offer anything like the same level of capabilities in terms of all-around performance and especially load-lifting.

China is increasingly successful in selling its aviation products to foreign nations, although it might face more challenges here with a tiltrotor. Even the V-22, combat-proven by the U.S. Marine Corps, has so far only secured a foreign sale to Japan (and that for a very modest number of aircraft). Other countries, including Israel and Indonesia, have shown interest in the Osprey, without buying any so far.

Japan’s first MV-22 is rolled off a cargo ship. U.S. Marine Corps

Ultimately, another Bell product, the V-280 Valor, might enjoy more export success, with its second-generation tiltrotor technology and the fact it is smaller and potentially more affordable than the V-22, while still offering similar baseline capabilities in some respects. Other, more secretive tiltrotor designs are also under development in the United States.

Therefore, it might be some time before the new Chinese tiltrotor enters operational service, whether for civilian, para-public, or military customers. At the same time, the appearance of a flying prototype underscores China’s interest in these types of aircraft, which are undoubtedly very well suited to the kinds of island-hopping operations that would likely characterize a future large-scale conflict in the Indo-Pacific. As the first of its kind, as far as we know, this design could also help kickstart a number of other tiltrotor concepts in China, as they move from concept to reality.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com

Thomas NewdickStaff Writer

Thomas is a defense writer and editor with over 20 years of experience covering military aerospace topics and conflicts. He’s written a number of books, edited many more, and has contributed to many of the world’s leading aviation publications. Before joining The War Zone in 2020, he was the editor of AirForces Monthly.

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[정명기]

이제 진정한 의미의 틸트 '로터' 기가 나오기 시작하니, 오스프리 같은 녀석들은 틸트엔진이라고 분류를 쪼개야 하지 않을까 싶네요.
처음 오스프리 관련 월간지 기사를 접했을 때 부터 이건 엔진이 틸팅하는거 아닌가 했었는데 말이죠.

[위종민]

저 놈도 말씀대로 틸트엔진인지, 틸트로터인지 지켜봐야겠습니다.