Model of the heavy-lift helicopter to be jointly developed by China and Russia.[Photo provided to China Daily] China, Russia in final stages of talks to jointly produce aerial workhorse China and Russia are close to inking a cooperation agreement on the joint development and production of a heavy-lift helicopter, according to a senior Chinese helicopter designer. Aviation Industry Corp of China, the State-owned aircraft giant, and Russian Helicopters, Russia's only helicopter manufacturer, have had 17 rounds of talks on the subject. All of the technological requirements, work assignments, collaboration methods and schedules have been finalized, said Huang Chuanyue, deputy chief engineer at Avicopter, AVIC's helicopter branch. Our talks are in the final stage. The helicopter will be jointly developed and manufactured. The research, development and assembly will be in China, while the production of some key parts will be in Russia, Huang told reporters on the sidelines of the 2017 China Helicopter Development Forum in Tianjin. More than 300 government officials, company representatives and experts in the helicopter industry took part in the event, which was hosted by AVIC and the Tianjin government. Huang said the new helicopter's technologies will be unique compared with other heavy-lift models in the world because it will be designed completely in accordance with China's requirements and geographic conditions. China has multiple landforms including plateaus, mountainous regions and plains, so the helicopter must be able to operate in every landform. Foreign helicopters have not met our needs, especially those in plateaus and mountains, he said. This is very important because China has vast plateau areas and mountainous terrain, as well as many islands that are difficult to access by other means. That has been an extremely serious problem because China is often hit by natural disasters, the designer said, adding that the helicopter will also be of value for building infrastructure in mountainous terrain and on islands. Huang noted that it will be more robust than all other helicopters in China in terms of carrying capacity. It will be capable of taking 10 metric tons of cargo, or more than 100 people inside the cabin, or carry 15 tons of freight in an external sling. By comparison, the AC313, currently the strongest type, can carry four tons inside the cabin or lift five tons outside the body, he said. According to AVIC, the helicopter will have a maximum takeoff weight of 38.2 metric tons and a maximum cruising speed of 300 kilometers per hour. It will be capable of flying at altitudes up to 5,700 meters and have a range of 630 km. Currently, heavy-lift helicopters in use include the United States' Boeing CH-47 Chinook, the Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion and Russia's Mil Mi-26 series. The US and Russia continue to upgrade these types and aspire to maintain their dominance of the heavy-lift helicopter market, observers said. plain wristbandscustom livestrong bracelets24hourwristbandscustom silicone bandsprinted bracelets
WASHINGTON - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the United States for his first meeting on Monday with US President Donald Trump, seeking to build on growing ties and move beyond disagreements over climate change. Relations between the two nations warmed under Trump's predecessor Barack Obama as India sought greater foreign investment and trade ties with Western nations. Modi vowed to work closely with the Trump administration, but obstacles soon emerged on issues such as trade and visas for Indians wanting to work in the US. Then Trump accused India of seeking to profit from the Paris climate accord as he announced he was pulling out of the deal this month - drawing sharp denials from New Delhi. Officials were eager to downplay expectations of the visit, describing it as no frills - in contrast to Modi's first US visit in 2014, when he basked in a rock star welcome at the Madison Square Garden arena in New York and addressed the United Nations. Natural affinity If there's one thing we want (from the visit), it's chemistry, said one senior Indian official. If the chemistry is good then frankly everything else gets sorted. Some commentators have argued that Modi and Trump should have a natural affinity as political outsiders who have risen to power in part by castigating the traditional ruling elite on a nationalist platform. One US official said the two leaders had a lot in common. We are really seeking to roll out the red carpet, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity. Initial signs were positive, with the leaders exchanging warm words on Twitter. Important strategic issues to discuss with a true friend! Trump wrote late on Saturday. Thank you @POTUS for the warm personal welcome. Greatly look forward to my meeting and discussions with you @realDonaldTrump, Modi tweeted in response. Modi on Sunday was to meet with top US business leaders - including the heads of Apple, Microsoft and Google - ahead of his meeting the following day with Trump. Trump's protectionist instincts, however, are at odds with India's efforts to boost exports and encourage Western manufacturers to Make In India - a flagship Modi scheme. The Indian leader castigated rising parochial and protectionist attitudes in a speech delivered shortly after Trump took office. A proposed overhaul of H-1B visas - used by thousands of Indian software engineers to work in the US - has also caused concern in New Delhi. Agence France-presse (China Daily 06/26/2017 page12)
