Chinese Tiltrotor Enters Flight Testing | Aviation International News

Chinese Tiltrotor Enters Flight Testing

Observers believe the aircraft is being developed by Harbin Aircraft Industry Group

Chinese tiltrotor — Images show that a Chinese-built tiltrotor has started flight testing at Harbin Aviation’s complex.

By Jennifer Meszaros • Contributor - Asia

August 25, 2025

Newly released images of a Chinese-made tiltrotor indicate that the aircraft has started flight testing, with observers linking it to the Harbin Aircraft Industry Group (HAIG), a subsidiary of AVIC Helicopter. HAIG, which maintains a portfolio spanning airplanes and helicopters, previously partnered with Airbus Helicopters on the AC352 program.

One photo shows the aircraft in flight with rotors positioned vertically, indicating that it was operating in helicopter mode. It features a high-mounted straight wing with a driveshaft that allows one engine to power both rotors if the other fails. Like the Bell MV-75, only the rotors and gearboxes rotate, while the turboshaft engines remain fixed in wingtip nacelles. The aircraft has a cockpit access door, a separate cabin entry, retractable landing gear, and potentially a rear ramp for cargo loading.

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