FORCETALLY
Loading the evidence…
Preparing your view.
Preparing your view.
At a glance
Measured figures
206B Jetranger II · including rotors
Single source38 ft 9.5 in (11.824 m) including rotors[source]
Z-10 · Length
Configuration
| Specification | Bell 206 | Changhe Z-10 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Multipurpose utility helicopter[source] | Attack helicopter[source] |
| National origin | United States / Canada[source] | — |
| Manufacturer | Bell Helicopter[source] | Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAIC)[source] |
| Status | In service[source] | In service[source] |
14.2 m (46 ft 7 in)[source]
Cruise; 206B Jetranger II · at MTOW, 5,000 feet
Single sourceMaximum; 206B Jetranger II · at MTOW (sea level)
Single source122 kn (140 mph, 226 km/h) at MTOW (sea level)[source]
120 kn (140 mph, 220 km/h) at MTOW, 5,000 feet[source]
Cruise; Z-10 · Cruise speed
Single sourceMaximum; Z-10 · Maximum speed
Single source206B Jetranger II · at MTOW
Single source206B Jetranger II · cruise speed, no reserves
Single source337 nmi (388 mi, 624 km) at MTOW, 5,000 feet, cruise speed, no reserves[source]
Z-10 · Combat range
Single source800–1,120 km (500–700 mi, 430–600 nmi)[source]
206B Jetranger II · 1,350 ft/min (
Single source1,350 ft/min (6.9 m/s)[source]
Z-10 · (2,400 ft/min) 23 mm PX-10 revolver cannon; WXG1006 electro-optical turret, pilot night vision system, a radar warning receiver (RWR), a missile approach warning system (MAWS) sensor, an IFF antenna, and armor plates can also be seen at the nose section
Single source12 m/s (2,400 ft/min) 23 mm PX-10 revolver cannon; WXG1006 electro-optical turret, pilot night vision system, a radar warning receiver (RWR), a missile approach warning system (MAWS) sensor, an IFF antenna, and armor plates can also be seen at the nose section[source]
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
| Number built | 7,300[source] | — |
|---|
| Manufactured | 1962–2017[source] | 2003-present[source] |
|---|
| Introduction date | 1967[source] | 2009[source] |
|---|
| First flight | December 8, 1962 (206) January 10, 1966 (206A)[source] | 29 April 2003[source] |
|---|
| Developed from | Bell YOH-4[source] | — |
|---|
| Variants | Bell OH-58 Kiowa Bell 407[source] | — |
|---|
| Developed into | Bell 400 TwinRanger[source] | — |
|---|
| Capacity | 4 passengers[source] | — |
|---|
| Fuselage length | 31 ft 2 in (9.50 m)[source] | — |
|---|
| Interior dimensions | 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) length, by 4 ft 2 in (1.27 m) width, by 4 ft 3 in (1.30 m) height, plus 16 ft 3 (453 L) baggage compartment[source] | — |
|---|
| Main rotor area | 873 sq ft (81.1 m 2 )[source] | — |
|---|
| Blade section | – NACA 0012 mod (11.3%)[source] | — |
|---|
| Maximum speed at 5,000 ft | 116 kn (133 mph; 215 km/h) at MTOW[source] | — |
|---|
| Disk loading | 4 lb/sq ft (20 kg/m 2 )[source] | — |
|---|
| Power/mass | 0.09 hp/lb (0.15 kW/kg)[source] | — |
|---|
| Role | family of two-bladed, single- and twin-engined helicopters ,[source] | — |
|---|
| Source measurement | When the YOH-4A was eliminated by the Army, Bell went about marketing the aircraft. In addition to the image problem, the helicopter lacked cargo space and only provided cramped seating for three passengers. The solution was a redesigned fuselage, sleeker and aesthetically appealing, adding 16 ft 3 (0.45 m 3 ) of cargo space in the process. A Bell executive contributed to the redesign by drawing two lines on a sketch extending the fuselage to where it meets the tail. The redesign was designated Bell 206A, and Bell President Edwin J. Ducayet named it the JetRanger , denoting an evolution from the popular Model 47J Ranger .[source]Bell 206 · Development / JetRanger; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The 206L LongRanger is a stretched variant with seating for seven. The fuselage, stretched a total of 30 inches (760 mm), adds two rear-facing seats between the front and rear seats. Since 1975, Bell has produced more than 1,700 LongRangers across all variants. In 1981, a military version, the 206L TexasRanger was released. The original 206L used an Allison 250 -C20R engine, and a series of model upgrades replaced this engine with more powerful versions; the 206L-1 used a 250-C28, and the 206L-3 and 206L-4 used the 250-C30P.[source]Bell 206 · Development / LongRanger; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage In both applications, the 250-C30P is derated from 650 hp for takeoff and 501 hp continuous. The 206L-3 is transmission-limited to 435 hp for take-off, and the 206L-4 is transmission-limited to 495 hp. The derating of the C30P produces an advantage in hot-day and high-altitude operations, as it can produce the rated horsepower at higher altitudes and temperatures where applications that use the maximum rating of the engine at sea level suffer accelerated performance deterioration with increases in temperature and altitude. The 206L-3 and L-4 have not been offered in a twin configuration under those model designations.[source]Bell 206 · Development / LongRanger; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage In 2007, Bell announced an upgrade program for the 206L-1 and 206L-3 designed to modify the aircraft to the 206L-4 configuration; modified aircraft are designated 206L-1+ and 206L-3+. Modifications include strengthened structural components (including a new tailboom), improved transmission, upgraded engine for the L-1, all of which result in a maximum gross weight increase of 300 pounds and increased performance.[source]Bell 206 · Development / LongRanger; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The basic shape and design of the JetRanger remained unchanged since 1967, but Bell introduced the 206B JetRanger II in 1971. In 1977, the 206B-3 JetRanger III was introduced with its modified tail rotor and more powerful engine. The JetRanger is popular with news media for traffic and news reporting. The LongRanger is commonly used as an air ambulance and as a corporate transport. On September 1, 1982, pilots H. Ross Perot, Jr. and Jay Coburn departed Dallas, Texas in the " Spirit of Texas ", a Bell 206L-1 (N3911Z). They returned on 30 September, 29 days and 3 hours later, completing the first around-the-world helicopter flight.[source]Bell 206 · Operational history; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage On July 22, 1994, Ron Bower landed his 206B-3 (N206AJ) at Hurst, Texas , setting a new record for around-the-world flight by a helicopter. Bower had departed on June 24 and returned 24 days, 4 hours, 36 minutes and 24 seconds later, averaging 35.62 knots (40.99 mph; 65.97 km/h). Bower had added a 91-US-gallon (340 L) auxiliary fuel tank, which doubled the JetRanger III's range.[source]Bell 206 · Operational history; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Upgraded Allison 250-C20J engine and added 2 inches (51 mm) to tail rotor diameter for yaw control.[source]Bell 206 · Variants / Civilian; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage 137 commercial Bell 206B-3s purchased in 1993 as the primary and instrument helicopter trainer for the US Army at Fort Rucker , Alabama. 35 in VFR configuration and 102 in IFR configuration. The US Army has 181 units as of 2026, of which 121 are in VFR configuration and 60 are in IFR configuration. All TH-67s display US registrations ("N" numbers) and are operated as public use aircraft.[source]Bell 206 · Variants / Military; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Capacity: 4 passengers[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Length: 38 ft 9.5 in (11.824 m) including rotors[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Fuselage length: 31 ft 2 in (9.50 m)[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Height: 9 ft 6.5 in (2.908 m)[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Interior dimensions: 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) length, by 4 ft 2 in (1.27 m) width, by 4 ft 3 in (1.30 m) height, plus 16 ft 3 (453 L) baggage compartment[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Empty weight: 1,455 lb (660 kg)[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Max takeoff weight: 3,200 lb (1,451 kg)[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Powerplant: 1 × Allison 250-C20 turboshaft engine, 400 hp (298 kW)[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Main rotor diameter: 33 ft 4 in (10.16 m)[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Main rotor area: 873 sq ft (81.1 m 2 )[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Maximum speed: 122 kn (140 mph, 226 km/h) at MTOW (sea level)[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Maximum speed at 5,000 ft: 116 kn (133 mph; 215 km/h) at MTOW[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Cruise speed: 120 kn (140 mph, 220 km/h) at MTOW, 5,000 feet[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Range: 337 nmi (388 mi, 624 km) at MTOW, 5,000 feet, cruise speed, no reserves[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,100 m) at MTOW[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Rate of climb: 1,350 ft/min (6.9 m/s)[source]Bell 206 · Specifications (206B Jetranger II); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage | — |
|---|
| Designer | — | 602nd Aircraft Design Institute Kamov Design Bureau[source] |
|---|
| Primary user | — | People's Liberation Army Ground Force Aviation People's Liberation Army Air Force Pakistan Army Aviation Corps[source] |
|---|
| Guns | — | 1x 23 mm (0.906 in) PX-10A revolver cannon[source] |
|---|
| Hardpoints | — | 4 with a capacity of 1,500 kg (3,307 lb) useful load , with provisions to carry combinations of: Rockets: on each hard point with 57 mm (2.244 in) rocket pod (19-tube) 70 mm (2.756 in) unguided rocket pod (7-tube) 70 mm (2.756 in) FS70 guided rocket pod (7-tube) with FS70A (GR-5) 70 mm (2.756 in) guided rocket or FS70B 70 mm (2.756 in) air burst fragmentation rocket 70 mm (2.756 in) unguided rocket pod (19-tube) 90 mm (3.543 in) rocket pod (7-tube) with FS90A 90 mm (3.543 in) guided rocket or Tianjian 90 mm (3.543 in) rockets Missiles: on each hard point with 4× HJ-8 , HJ-9 laser-guided air-to-surface missiles 4× AKD-10 (BA-7) laser-guided air-to-surface missiles 4× AKD-9 (BA-9) laser-guided air-to-surface missiles 4× AKD-21 (BA-21) millimetre-wave air-to-surface missiles 4× AG-300/M or AG-300/L laser-guided air-to-surface missiles 4× CM-502KG NLOS air-to-surface missiles 2× CM-501GA NLOS air-to-surface missiles 1× CM-501XA loitering munition 4× TY-90 air-to-air missiles Bombs: GB25 and GB50 guided bombs Other: 280kg drop tank[source] |
|---|
| g limits | — | +3[source] |
|---|
| Rockets | — | on each hard point with 57 mm (2.244 in) rocket pod (19-tube) 70 mm (2.756 in) unguided rocket pod (7-tube) 70 mm (2.756 in) FS70 guided rocket pod (7-tube) with FS70A (GR-5) 70 mm (2.756 in) guided rocket or FS70B 70 mm (2.756 in) air burst fragmentation rocket 70 mm (2.756 in) unguided rocket pod (19-tube) 90 mm (3.543 in) rocket pod (7-tube) with FS90A 90 mm (3.543 in) guided rocket or Tianjian 90 mm (3.543 in) rockets[source] |
|---|
| Missiles | — | on each hard point with 4× HJ-8 , HJ-9 laser-guided air-to-surface missiles 4× AKD-10 (BA-7) laser-guided air-to-surface missiles 4× AKD-9 (BA-9) laser-guided air-to-surface missiles 4× AKD-21 (BA-21) millimetre-wave air-to-surface missiles 4× AG-300/M or AG-300/L laser-guided air-to-surface missiles 4× CM-502KG NLOS air-to-surface missiles 2× CM-501GA NLOS air-to-surface missiles 1× CM-501XA loitering munition 4× TY-90 air-to-air missiles[source] |
|---|
| Bombs | — | GB25 and GB50 guided bombs[source] |
|---|
| Other | — | 280kg drop tank[source] |
|---|
| Country of origin | — | People's Republic of China[source] |
|---|