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The Harbin SH-5 (Shuishang Hongzhaji, literally "seaborne bomber") is a Chinese maritime patrol amphibious aircraft intended for a wide range of duties like anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and air-sea rescue (SAR). One prototype and six production aircraft have been built, of which one aircraft was rebuilt for firefighting duties.
The project was initiated in 1968 as part of the replacement of the Beriev Be-6, with much more extensive specifications. Powered by four DongAn (DEMC) Wojiang-5A1 turboprop engines, the seaplane had to be able to perform multipurpose missions, from simple maritime observation to freight transport, through anti-submarine and anti-ship. In the same year, the Harbin Aircraft Construction Corporation, together with the China Seaplane Design Institute, began the study of the prototype designated Shuishang Hongzhaji 5 (SH), "Sea Bomber 5", under the direction of Wang Hongzhang. The plans of the complete structure of the aircraft were completed in early 1970, but the assembly of the prototype took some time; the main wing being only completed in October 1972. The first ground tests, resistance tests, began in 1974, followed by "in water" tests and pre-flight experiments until early 1976. The plane made its maiden flight on 3 April 1976 at 10 am. Involving 7 pilots, this uneventful flight lasted 23 minutes.
The SH-5 was produced in 7 exemplars, including the 3 prototypes. Although the first complete prototype was completed in 1973, the remaining six were finished between 1984 and 1985. This delay is due to the political instability of the time and the need to build all the research and development infrastructures.
Four wing hardpoints accommodate up to 6 tons of armament, mostly torpedoes, the development of the C-101 supersonic anti-ship missile having been abandoned. Disposable stores can be carried in a rear-fuselage weapon bay that can hold up to 6 tons of loads, including unguided bombs and probes. A dorsal turret is equipped with two 23 mm guns.
The nose houses a type 698 radar with passive antenna (PPAR) and side scan. The tail hosts a magnetic anomaly detector whose magnetron was replaced by a klystron. The latest versions also have a traveling wave tube (TOP). The aircraft is also equipped with Doppler search radar and sonobuoys are stored in a rear-fuselage dispenser. An acoustic data processing system and tactical display system was included, plus INS's for navigation.
However, by Chinese source, there were total of 7 SH-5 were produced: 3 SH-5X Prototype, 3 Maritime patrol aircraft, and 1 SH-B Firefighter.
People's Republic of China : People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force received 4 aircraft in 1986. All were operated by the People's Liberation Army Navy North Sea Fleet from an aircraft base near Qingdao, Shandong province.
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