China is planning to develop its own heavy-duty helicopter, according to the country's Aviation Industry Corporation, or the AVIC. Now the company has set up a team to study the project's feasibility.

Zhang Hongbiao, director of Science and Technology Committee, AVIC, said, "Our country experiences natural disasters every year, so the relief efforts call for our own heavy-duty helicopters. The development of our aviation industry also calls for this type of aircraft. I think the potential market for this helicopter is large."

A heavy-duty helicopter refers to an aircraft with a takeoff weight of at least 20 tons. This kind of helicopter is mainly used for lifting, fire fighting, transportation, construction as well emergency search and rescue. China currently has developed helicopters with a takeoff weight of 13 tons, four and two tons.