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52-639: The Z-11 project started in 1989 and the first flight was made in Dec 1994. In Oct 2000, test flights of Z-11 were completed. The chief designer of Z-11 is Mr. Wu Ximing (吴希明), who is also the chief designer of three other Chinese helicopters, including the Z-10 . Under Mr. Wu, the Z-11 became the first Chinese helicopter to be completely designed using CAD/CAM techniques. The Z-11WB, the attack and reconnaissance variant, features pintle mount weapons and two weapon pylons on each side of

104-504: A TV camera, a laser rangefinder, and a laser designator. The development of the primary electro-optical fire control systems (FCS) was influenced by French and Israeli systems but with locally programmed software. The YH millimeter-wave radar was also developed for Z-10 to detect longer-range targets, and targets behind flog, smoke, and dust. The mmWave radar can be installed on top of the main rotor mast. The stepped tandem cockpit houses two pilots. The front pilot primarily controls

156-431: A medium-weight helicopter program was initiated in 1994 with the attack helicopter program formally beginning in 1998. The preliminary design of the aircraft was provided by Kamov, while prototyping was conducted by the 602nd Aircraft Design Institute of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). The Z-10 first flew on 29 April 2003 and entered Chinese Army Aviation service in 2009. Nicknames of characters in

208-735: A modular weapon system. The system uses the GJV289A standard, the Chinese equivalent of the MIL-STD-1553 B databus architecture, which enables weaponry of Chinese, Soviet, and Western origin to be adopted by the Z-10. Offensive weaponry consists of machine guns, cannons, rockets, and missiles. Internal armament consists of a gun mount installed on the chin of the aircraft with 180° of horizontal traverse. Two stub wings provide attachment points for external ordnance or gun pods. Each stub wings have two hardpoints , for

260-456: A range of 800 km (430 nmi; 500 mi). The Z-10 features a comprehensive self-defense suite. The YH-96 electronic warfare system includes a set of infrared missile approach warning system (MAWS), radar warning receivers (RWR) and laser warning receivers (LWR), both are connected with the 6×4 countermeasure dispensers (two on each side, four in total ) to release flare and chaff when incoming missiles are detected. The system

312-453: A single semirigid five-blade main rotor at the top and a four-blade tail rotor at the aft section. The airfoil of the primary 95KT rotor blade features a significant camber with swept tips, designed to reduce the blade length, vibration, and acoustic signature. The tail rotor consists of two sets of dual composite blades (four blades in total) mounted in an angled, non-orthogonal (scissor) arrangement designed to reduce noise generated by

364-462: A stealth enclosure, and is capable of providing multi-target jamming, spectrum searching, and digital radio frequency memory (DRFM) signal processing. External fuel tanks be attached to further its operational and ferry ranges. The helicopter can also underslung all-terrain vehicles (ATV) for special operation insertion support. The Z-10 can underslung around 3 tonnes. In 2011, the Z-10 can be observed operating at PLAGF bases. In September 2016,

416-431: A total of four, and each hardpoint can carry up to 4 missiles, for a total of 16 missiles. The autocannon on the serial production Z-10 is the 23 mm (0.91 in) PX-10A automatic chain gun, but the aircraft can also mount 20 mm (0.79 in), 25 mm (0.98 in), and 30 mm (1.2 in) autocannons, with some of them marketed for export customers. The air-to-surface missiles deployed by

468-530: Is a Chinese medium-lift utility helicopter produced by the Harbin Aircraft Industry Group (HAIG). It was first flown on 23 December 2013 and has a maximum takeoff weight in the range of 10 tonnes (22,000 lb). The Z-20 can operate from locations above 4,000 m (13,000 ft) in altitude as well as from the Liaoning aircraft carrier. It is regarded to be comparable in performance to

520-561: Is a Chinese medium-weight, twin- turboshaft attack helicopter built by the Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation for the People's Liberation Army Ground Force . Designed by 602nd Aircraft Design Institute of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and Kamov Design Bureau , the aircraft is intended primarily for anti-tank warfare missions with secondary air-to-air combat capability. The plan to develop

572-478: Is also available, capable of firing the larger FS90A 90 mm (3.543 in) guided rocket or Tianjian 90 mm (3.543 in) rocket. Aside from the common calibers, the helicopter can support rockets from 20 mm (0.787 in) to 130 mm (5.118 in). For other types of payloads, the Z-10 can carry a KG300G self-defense electronic warfare (EW) pod, providing organic survivability for frontline ELINT and ESM defense. The EW pod features

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624-558: Is based on the 1970s S-70/UH-60 Black Hawk, which China acquired in the 1980s. Pakistan may also have allowed China to examine wreckage from the US special forces Black Hawk abandoned during the assassination of Osama bin Laden on 1 May 2011. The helicopter uses fly-by-wire controls and a five-bladed main rotor; the Black Hawk has four blades. The tail-to-fuselage joint frame is more angular than

676-697: Is believed to be powered by the domestic WZ-10 turboshaft engine providing 1,600 kW (2,100 shp) of power, significantly improved from the engines on the S-70-C2 and is slightly more powerful than the latest iteration of the Black Hawk engine, the GE T700-701D. The Z-20 also incorporates new technologies that reduce weight and improve lift as well as cutting edge de-icing tech on the rotor-blades. These features enable it to conduct operations at altitudes above 4,000 m (13,200 ft). The engine has an emergency thrust of 2,000 kW (2,700 shp). Compared to

728-541: Is fitted with the Hover Infrared Suppression System (HIRSS), mixing in the engine exhaust with cold air to reduce the helicopter's infrared characteristic. Later serial production of Z-10 modified the engine nozzle from sideway-facing to the upward-facing direction, further reducing the signature from heat radiation . The upward-facing exhaust nozzle, albeit beneficial for suppressing the infrared signature, would lead to additional drag, To resolve this,

780-540: Is provided for the front pilot. Each pilot also wears a helmet-mounted sight (HMS), similar to the Integrated Helmet and Display Sighting System (IHADSS) on the AH-64 Apache . The helmet sight is fully integrated with FCS to control guided and unguided munitions and display onboard navigation information. The pilots can slave the sensor suite and 23 mm (0.91 in) autocannon to their helmets, controlling

832-687: Is wrapped inside carbon fibers , while the canopy is protected by bulletproof glasses of 38 mm (1.5 in) in thickness. Additional protection layers made of aluminum alloy and kevlar are applied to the bottom of the cockpit, side of the engine bays, and around the self-sealing fuel tank . The honeycomb composite layer is applied to the fuselage bottom, while the pilot seats, landing gears, and fuel tank are reinforced for improved crashworthiness . The early model of Z-10 prioritizes protection in critical areas for weight reduction without sacrificing structural integrity, range, and payload. In later serial production, graphene armor plates are mounted on

884-778: The 2008 Sichuan earthquakes highlighted the value of helicopters in humanitarian missions. In addition to the PLAAF, the Z-20 will likely be used by other services in the People's Liberation Army. It could fill the role of a multi-role naval helicopter for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) that is small enough to be interoperable across all PLAN vessels while still have a full suite of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities installed. The Z-20 has been tested carrying missiles on wing pylons. A stealth Z-20 variant has been indicated under development since 2015. One analyst said China could produce

936-428: The wingtip vortices . All blades are made with carbon fiber-wrapped spars with layered honeycomb composite for the skin , capable of sustaining damage against 12.7 mm (0.50 in) rounds. The deicing device is fitted to the blades to increase flight safety in adverse weather. The fuselage is primarily made of aluminum alloy , with 30 percent of the mass being composite materials . The cockpit compartment

988-417: The 6-ton class China Helicopter Medium (CHM) program in 1994, headed by the 602nd and 608th Research Institutes. This program was later developed into Harbin Z-20 . In 1995, China commissioned Kamov to develop a preliminary design for the 6-ton helicopter, known as Project 941 internally. Project 941 was a large departure from traditional Soviet design, focusing entirely on the Chinese requirement. The concept

1040-754: The AH-1Z and then the TAI/AgustaWestland T129 ATAK (which uses the American LHTEC CTS800–4A engine) fell through because of worsening relations with the United States . In January 2022, negotiations to acquire the Z-10ME were underway; the Z-10ME had been identified as a fallback option by February 2020. In June 2022, Pakistan's deal with T129 ATAK was reportedly canceled, and the Pakistan government

1092-480: The Black Hawk's, for greater lift, cabin capacity, and endurance. The fairings behind the engine exhausts and on the spine are likely for satellite communications or the BeiDou satellite navigation system. The Z-20 carries multiple defensive countermeasures, including radar warning receivers (RWR) and missile approach warning system (MAWS), and four chaff and flare launchers mounted for 360-degree coverage. The Z-20

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1144-797: The Chinese classic novel Water Margin have been used to name Z-10 and its light-weight counterpart, the Harbin Z-19 by Chinese Army Aviation Corps; Z-10 is called Fierce Thunderbolt (Pi Li Huo, 霹雳火), the nickname of Qin Ming , while Z-19 is called Black Whirlwind (Hei Xuan Feng, 黑旋风), the nickname of Li Kui . The People's Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF) established its army aviation units in January 1988. The unit used helicopters transferred from People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), including Mil Mi-4 , Harbin Z-5 , Mil Mi-8 , and Aérospatiale Gazelle . By

1196-565: The PLA announced that all of its army aviation units had been equipped with the Z-10. The helicopter is stationed in frontline regions, such as the Tibet plateau , and Taiwan Strait . The Z-10 was one of the contenders to replace Pakistan 's Bell AH-1F Cobra attack helicopters. In 2015, Pakistan acquired three Z-10s for trials, but they rejected the offer due to the inadequate WZ-9 engine. Pakistan then chose Turkey's AH-1Z; however, contracts to acquire

1248-457: The US government. China was unable to purchase more Sikorsky aircraft following the fallout from the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests that resulted in an EU and US arms embargo. This led to the development of an indigenous so-called "10-tonne helicopter project" that started in 2006, and the Z-20 made its first flight on 23 December 2013. Helicopter production in China received a massive boost after

1300-535: The US-made Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, of which the civilian Sikorsky S-70 C-2 variant has been used by the People's Liberation Army since 1984. The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has had a requirement for a high-altitude medium utility helicopter that can operate in the mountainous regions in China since the 1980s. In 1984, the PLAAF acquired 24 Sikorsky S-70 C-2s with enhanced General Electric T700-701A engines from

1352-421: The Z-10 can also carry SW6 air-launched drones, CM-501G A none-line-of-sight air-to-surface missiles CM-502KG anti-tank missiles, CM-501XA loitering munitions, ET60 324 mm (12.8 in) lightweight torpedo, with the last one providing Z-10 with useful, albeit limited, naval warfare capabilities. The helicopter is compatible with GB25 and GB50 guided bombs. The main air-to-air missile deployed by

1404-483: The Z-10 include HJ-8 , HJ-9 , HJ-10 , AKD-9, and AKD-10 anti-tank missiles. Early AKD-10 utilizes semi-active laser (SAL) guidance, while later variants reportedly incorporate millimeter wave (MMW) seekers. The Z-10 can also fire BA-21 long-range anti-tank missiles with a millimeter wave/semi-active laser dual model guidance seeker. The missile can be fired from Z-10 and data-linked by millimeter-wave radar mounted on friendly platforms. Aside from anti-tank missiles,

1456-879: The Z-10 is the TY-90 , a missile specifically designed for use by helicopters in aerial combat. The TY-90 is much heavier than the MANPAD missiles usually carried by helicopters, providing better lethality and range. The Z-10 can launch a great variety of unguided and guided rockets. Under the stub wings, a total of four rocket pods can be mounted on the hardpoints . Options include the 19-tube 57 mm (2.244 in) rocket pod, 7-tube 70 mm (2.756 in) Fire Snake rocket pod with FS70A (GR-5) 70 mm (2.756 in) guided rocket or FS70B 70 mm (2.756 in) air burst fragmentation rocket, or 19-tube 70 mm (2.756 in) unguided rocket pod with anti-infantry fragmentation rockets. 7-tube 90 mm (3.543 in) rocket pod

1508-494: The Z-10ME offered the capability gap of operating air-launched UAVs, and potential candidates included Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, etc. However, Davis believed the demand for advanced helicopters was quite small in these economies. In June 2012, the United States charged United Technologies and two of its subsidiaries, Pratt & Whitney Canada and Hamilton Sundstrand , of selling engine control software to China which aided in

1560-422: The Z-10ME standard with the 1,200 kW (1,600 shp) engines, armor plates, and infrared suppresion nozzles. The Pakistan Army eventually purchased the Z-10ME as well. The Z-10 features a tandem cockpit compartment at the front section. The airframe bulges below the cockpit, extending backward and merging with the stub wings and tail boom, creating a distinctive ridge dividing the top and bottom half of

1612-523: The aircraft. The engine is replaced by Turbomeca Arriel 2B1A turboshaft engine developing 632 kW (848 shp) of power. Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2010–2011 General characteristics (can also fit Honeywell LTS101-700D-2 and Turbomeca Arriel 2B1A turboshaft engine) Performance Armament Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era CAIC Z-10 The Changhe Z-10 ( Chinese : 直-10 ; pinyin : Zhí-Shí ; lit. 'helicopter-10')

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1664-470: The blended fuselage, which are both canted inward, creating a hexagon -shaped frontal profile. This slim, rhombic configuration ensures structural strength, increases internal volumes for equipment, and reduces the frontal projected area and overall radar cross section (RCS). The radar-absorbent material is applied to the fuselage, further reducing the radar reflection and providing a certain degree of low observability . The rotor system consists of

1716-678: The development of the Changhe Z-10. While the Chinese defense ministry denied that China bought or used the software, Pratt & Whitney Canada and Hamilton Sundstrand agreed to pay more than $ 75 million to the U.S. government to settle the charges. [REDACTED] Islamic Republic of Pakistan Data from Military Digest General characteristics Performance Armament Avionics Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Related lists Harbin Z-20 The Harbin Z-20 ( Chinese : 直-20 )

1768-407: The engine on the Z-10 was upgraded to from 1,300 shp (970 kW) to 1,600 shp (1,200 kW) to make up the loss. The Z-10 prototype was powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67C turboshaft engines, which is equipped with Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system and sports a maximum continuous power of 1,142 kW (1,531 shp). The early batches of Z-10

1820-578: The failed bid, Chinese engineers began to upgrade to the Z-10 platform to improve its competitiveness. A new prototype, designated Z-10ME, emerged in 2018 with a larger ammunition magazine size, new intake filtration systems, and new missile approach warning system (MAWS). In the same year, more equipment was added to the prototype, such as a more powerful WZ-9C turboshaft with 1,200 kW (1,600 shp) power, new infrared signature-reducing engine exhaust nozzle, appliqué graphene-based armor plates, etc. The PLAGF's domestic Z-10 fleet were upgraded to

1872-617: The final design, which was designated the Z-10. Initially, the Z-10 project was planned to share its propulsion system with the CHM program, however, the two programs were separated and the Z-10 was prioritized to be completed first. During the development in 2000, Denel also provided technical assistance to the project in the area of flight stability. After the US government cut off engine sources from Pratt & Whitney, China turned to domestic replacements with lower thrust-rating, leading to further weight-saving design changes. The replacement engine

1924-423: The final version uses WZ-9 turboshaft engines due to its fully indigenous origin. The Z-10 took its maiden flight on 29 April 2003. The Z-10 entered PLA service in 2009 or 2010. In March 2014, the Z-10 helicopter began deck trials with a People's Liberation Army Navy Type 072A-class landing ship . The purpose may be to qualify the helicopter on ships to provide air support for landing parties launched from

1976-514: The flight maneuver, while the back pilot handles the weapon system. Both pilots have identical flight instrumentation, serving as backups to each other, and both are capable of flight control and weapons operation. Inside the cockpit is the digital flight instrument, with the fly-by-wire Hands-On Collective And Stick (HOCAS) flight control. Each pilot has two LCD multi-function displays (MFD) and multiple small displays for other information. An additional holographic heads-up display (HUD)

2028-479: The function of missile approach warning system. The electro-optical suites include new laser, infrared, ultraviolet warning receivers, and directional infrared countermeasure systems (DIRCM) to defend against infrared homing (IR) missiles. The primary sensor suite of Z-10 is the WXG1006 electro-optical (EO) package located at the nose section. The ball-shaped package contains a forward-looking infrared sensor,

2080-640: The mid-1980s, the Chinese decided to field dedicated attack helicopters . The brief honeymoon period between China and the West provided China opportunities to evaluate Agusta A129 Mangusta , AH-1 Cobra , and BGM-71 TOW missiles. However, the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre and the proceeding arms embargo prevented many deals from going through. Nevertheless, China successfully imported or licensed aircraft types such as Changhe Z-8 , Harbin Z-9 , Sikorsky S-70 , Mi-17 , and Aerospatiale AS332 Super Puma . There

2132-473: The rotor system and AgustaWestland in 1997 for the transmission system in 1998. Pratt & Whitney Canada and Hamilton Sundstrand secretly provided PT6C-67C engines and digital engine control systems to aid the programs, leading to them receiving investigations and penalties from the United States government. In 1998, the 602nd Research Institute proposed the Special Armed Project to develop

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2184-505: The sensors and autocannon direction by turning their heads. For all-weather operation, the helmet visor can be attached with a binocular-like night vision goggles (NVG), which was later replaced with integrated NVGs that can display night-vision image directly inside the visor. Other navigation instruments of Z-10 include laser gyrocompass , radio altimeter , Doppler radar , inertial navigation , satellite navigation , and identification friend or foe (IFF) systems. The Z-10 has

2236-421: The ship. Type 072A-class ships have a helipad but no hangar or support facilities for the aircraft on board. The Z-10 may also be qualified on the larger Type 071 amphibious transport dock . The Z-10 was one of the contenders to replace Pakistan 's Bell AH-1F Cobra attack helicopters. In 2015, Pakistan acquired three Z-10s for trials, but ultimately rejected the offer due to the inadequate WZ-9 engine. After

2288-438: The side of the cockpit and engine housing to further improve the protection level. The Z-10's engine air intake is protected by a metal mesh to prevent foreign objects from being sucked in. Newer variants can be installed with integrated inlet particle separators (IPS) for engine intake filtration, preventing harmful solid particulates such as sand and dust to damage the critical propulsion components. The Z-10's engine system

2340-483: The stealth variant relatively easily because of their access to a modified MH-60 Black Hawk tail section , recovered by Pakistani security forces after a crash during the Bin Laden raid . In May 2021, the concept model of the stealthy Z-20 variant was public revealed. The model displayed a trapezoidal airframe, a shrouded main rotor hub, and an upper-facing ventilation system located on an enlarged tail boom. The Z-20

2392-555: Was also debate in China about whether the PLAGF or PLAAF should operate attack helicopters. Eventually, the PLAGF won and began to induct armed helicopters based on the Harbin Z-9 design. The use of the Z-9WA modification helped China realize the requirement for a dedicated attack helicopter platform. A preprimary plan to develop an attack helicopter in China began in 1992. China began to develop

2444-446: Was originally designed for export, but subsequently used to upgrade early Z-10s batches. The WZ-9C provides 30% more power than the original version, providing the Z-10 with enough lift for a variety of payloads. The Z-10 emphasizes extended-range operation. The WZ-9A turboshaft engine allows the aircraft to fly at a maximum speed of 290 km/h (160 kn) and cruise speed of 230 km/h (120 kn). The internal tank supports

2496-482: Was powered by domestic Zhuzhou WZ-9 or WZ-9A turboshaft engine, providing 957–1,000 kW (1,283–1,341 shp) of power. The reduced performance of WZ-9 turboshaft engines prevented Z-10 to carry its maximum payload of 16 anti-tank guided missiles. Multiple engines were developed to upgrade the propulsion of the Z-10. China and European partners reportedly developed WZ-16. WZ-9 was upgraded to WZ-9C with 1,200 kW (1,600 shp) of maximum power. The engine

2548-523: Was seeking the acquisition of Z-10ME. Pakistan military reportedly received the first batch of Z-10ME in 2023. According to Boneham of Janes Information Services , the advantages of the Z-10ME were its capabilities and affordability, when compared with similar Western platforms. The helicopter is suitable for countries without access to Western and Russian hardware. Malcolm Davis of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute believed

2600-518: Was the indigenous WZ-9 turboshaft. David Donald of Aviation International News claimed the Z-10 had a universal engine bay capable of fitting various types of engines, including Ukrainian Motor Sich TV3-117. However, Chinese sources indicated the TV3-117 is incompatible with the Z-10's engine bay due to the driveshaft shape and prototypes were fitted with either Pratt & Whitney PT6C-67C or Chinese-built Turbomeca Makila turboshaft engines, whereas

2652-450: Was then handed to China for further development, which Kamov did not participate in. Based on the concept, Chinese engineers developed prototypes and iterate designs based on the testing results. The changes include modification on the airframe shapes to optimize radar cross section (RCS), changes on the engine bay shape to accommodate domestic engines, and the engine nozzle layout. China also secured assistance from Eurocopter France for

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2704-439: Was upgraded on later variants with a different avionics layout, replacing previously mounted radar and electro-optical sensors with integrated countermeasure suite, indicated by several active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar panels around the fuselage and two electro-optical suites mounted on the stub wings. The radar panels are capable of passive signal detection, target searching, and active jamming, which also replace

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