Before the annual Two Sessions, an annual parliamentary meeting in China, Wu was quoted as saying that it is not enough to mimic foreign helicopter designs when developing a new helicopter for China. Instead, helicopter products must be set to suit China’s specific needs, integrate with current and future technological advancements, and in line with development goals 20 to 30 years into the future.
“A new product is already on its way, and I hope it can speed up,” China Central Television (CCTV) reported Wu as saying.
Wu, who is also a member of the 14th CPPCC National Committee, submitted three proposals for the ongoing Two Sessions. These proposals include approving a significant national project focussed on the utility helicopter industry, strengthening the procurement of domestically developed helicopters for the utility rotorcraft sector, and building a talent system specifically for aviation research and development.
Over the 40 years of helicopter development, Wu and his colleagues have established a pattern characterised by “exploring a generation, pre-studying a generation, designing a generation and producing a generation,” with multiple choppers under development systematically, CCTV reported.
As the chief designer of the Z-10, China’s first dedicated attack helicopter that is recognised as one of the most powerful in the world, Wu pushed forward China’s helicopter technology by 20 years.
Wu said helicopters would also see increased applications in urban transportation and transportation in remote regions.
“They may be called electric aircraft, but at their core, they are helicopters,” Wu said.
