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Harbin Z-20

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The Harbin Z-20 (Chinese: 直-20) 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).[2][3] The Z-20 can operate from locations above 4,000 m (13,000 ft) in altitude as well as from the Liaoning aircraft carrier.[4][5] It is regarded to be comparable in performance to the US-made Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, of which the civilian Sikorsky S-70C-2 variant has been used by the People's Liberation Army since 1984.[6]

Z-20
Z-20 flying at Airshow China 2022
Role Medium lift helicopter
National origin China
Manufacturer Harbin Aircraft Industry Group
First flight 23 December 2013
Introduction 1 October 2019[1]
Status In service, in production[1]
Primary users People's Liberation Army Ground Force
People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force
People's Armed Police

Development

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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-70C-2s with enhanced General Electric T700-701A engines from the US government.[4]

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.[4]

Helicopter production in China received a massive boost after the 2008 Sichuan earthquakes highlighted the value of helicopters in humanitarian missions.[7] In addition to the PLAAF, the Z-20 will likely be used by other services in the People's Liberation Army.[8] 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.[4][9]

The Z-20 has been tested carrying missiles on wing pylons.[10]

A stealth Z-20 variant has been indicated under development since 2015.[11] One analyst said China could produce 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.[12] 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.[13]

Design

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Z-20 ground display at Airshow China 2022
 
Z-20 Helicopter

The Z-20 is based on the 1970s S-70/UH-60 Black Hawk,[3] which China acquired in the 1980s.[4] 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.[14][15]

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 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.[16] 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.[17]

The Z-20 is believed to be powered by the domestic WZ-10 turboshaft engine providing 1,600 kW (2,100 shp) of power,[18][19] significantly improved from the engines on the S-70-C2[17] and is slightly more powerful than the latest iteration of the Black Hawk engine, the GE T700-701D.[20] 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).[4] The engine has an emergency thrust of 2,000 kW (2,700 shp).[21] Compared to the S-70-C2, the Z-20 has overall improvements to the speed, service ceiling, range, and payload.[17]

Variants

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Z-20J in Zhuhai Airshow 2024
Z-20
Base transport variant for PLA Army.
Z-20T Assault Variant
Armed assault variant featuring stub wings with two hardpoints each for weapons and targeting sensors, used by PLA Army.[22][23][24]
Z-20S
Search and rescue (SAR) used by PLA Army. Equipped with FLIR, a searchlight under the fuselage, a hoist above the cabin door, a crash position indicator (CPI) underneath the tail boom, new ECM antennas above the LWR, and essential medical equipment inside the cabin.
Z-20K
PLAAF airborne corps variant.[25]
Z-20KA
PLAAF airborne corps air assault variant, featuring additional hardpoints for weapons and EO sensors.[26]
Z-20KS
PLAAF airborne corps search and rescue variant.[27]
Z-20J
Naval utility/transport variant.[28]
Z-20F
Naval ASW variant.[9][29] Equipped with surface radar under nose, pylon for torpedoes, dipping sonar underbelly and bubble window for observation.
Z-20 PAP
variant for People's Armed Police (PAP).[30]
Z-21
A dedicated attack helicopter based on the Z-20 airframe. The Z-21 has a tail section and rotor configuration similar to the Z-20 but with a thinner fuselage. A tandem cockpit replaces the side-by-side seating on the original, and a 23 mm (0.91 in) autocannon is mounted below. A cheek fairing is added for additional ammunition and avionics. A mmW radar is mounted on top of the rotor mast. The engine is rated at 1,790 kW (2,400 shp) with exhaust direction is changed to upward-facing, reducing the infrared signature. Six hard points on the stub wings to provide more firepower than the Changhe Z-10.[31][17][32] The helicopter was first observed in China in March 2024.[33]

Operators

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  People's Republic of China

Specifications (Z-20)

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PLAAF Z-20K sling loading Lynx CS/VP11 at Changchun Airshow 2023

Data from CN Defense,[37] Popular Mechanics,[17] Janes[38]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Capacity: 12-15 passengers, 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) of cargo internally, 4,000 kg (8,800 lb) of cargo externally
  • Length: 20 m (65 ft 7 in)
  • Height: 5.3 m (17 ft 5 in)
  • Empty weight: 5,000 kg (11,023 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 10,000 kg (22,046 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × WZ-10 turboshaft engines, 1,600–2,000 kW (2,100–2,700 hp) each [18][19]
  • Main rotor diameter: × 16 m (52 ft 6 in)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 360 km/h (220 mph, 190 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 290 km/h (180 mph, 160 kn)
  • Combat range: 560 km (350 mi, 300 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 6,000 m (20,000 ft) (approx.)
  • Rate of climb: 7.1 m/s (1,400 ft/min)

Armament

  • Guns: Provision for machine guns and autocannons
  • Hardpoints: 4 hardpoints on two stub wings , with provisions to carry combinations of:
    • Rockets:
      • Various rocket pods
    • Missiles:
      • AKD-9 laser-guided air-to-surface missile
      • AKD-10 laser-guided air-to-surface missile
      • CM-502KG or CM-502V NLOS air-to-surface missile
      • CM-501GA NLOS air-to-surface missile
      • CM-501XA loitering munition
      • TY-90 air-to-air missile

Avionics
EO/IR sensors

See also

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Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Harbin Z-20.
  1. ^ a b "Z-20 helicopter confirmed in Chinese military service – China Military". eng.chinamil.com.cn.
  2. ^ Fei (26 December 2013). "China Develops New Type of Helicopter: DM". CRI English. Archived from the original on December 26, 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  3. ^ a b Perrett, Bradley (24 December 2013). "Chinese Military Utility Helo Makes First Flight". Aviation Weekly. Archived from the original on 26 December 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Chen, Chuanren (22 November 2017). "China Has High Hopes For Z-20 Helicopter". AIN Online.
  5. ^ Staff Reporter (24 December 2013). "Z-20: China's first domestic tactical utility helicopter". China Times. Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  6. ^ Rogoway, Tyler (5 November 2016). "Here Is Our Best Look Yet At China's UH-60 Black Hawk Clone The Z-20". The Drive.
  7. ^ "Z8 Helicopter production boost from 2008". AirForceWorld.com. Archived from the original on 27 October 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  8. ^ Waldron, Greg. "Harbin Z-20 destined for wide number of roles". Flight Global. Retrieved 2020-07-02.
  9. ^ a b "ASW-capable variant of Z-20 helo may soon enter PLA Navy service". 11 January 2021.
  10. ^ Rupprecht, Andreas (21 October 2021). "Z-20 prototype seen carrying possible anti-tank guided missiles". Janes. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  11. ^ "China developing new attack helicopter with stealth power". straitstimes. 12 September 2015.
  12. ^ "Stealthy Variant Of China's Z-20 Black Hawk Clone Emerges In Concept Model Form". The Drive. 30 May 2021.
  13. ^ Rogoway, Tyler (30 May 2021). "Stealthy Variant Of China's Z-20 Black Hawk Clone Emerges In Concept Model Form". The War Zone.
  14. ^ David Cenciotti (3 September 2013). "Mysterious Chinese Helicopter Emerges That Resembles The One Used In Bin Laden Raid". Business Insider. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  15. ^ Zachary Keck (26 December 2013). "Did China Just Clone a Black Hawk Helicopter". The Diplomat. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  16. ^ "China's Z-20 Helicopter Features Home-made Engine, Fly-by-wire". DefenseMirror.com. 10 October 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  17. ^ a b c d e Roblin, Sébastien (22 October 2024). "America's AH-64 Apache Is One of the World's Deadliest Helicopters—And China Just Made Its Own Copy". Popular Mechanics.
  18. ^ a b "WZ-10". Deagel.
  19. ^ a b "WZ-10". Airframer.
  20. ^ "T700-GE-701D Engine Awarded U.S. Army Qualification". www.geaviation.com.com. 4 Nov 2004. Retrieved 17 Jul 2022.
  21. ^ "我军直20采用纯国产涡轴10发动机：最大功率达2000KW". Sina News. 10 October 2019.
  22. ^ "New Chinese Z-20 'armed assault' variant emerges". 23 May 2024.
  23. ^ Newdick, Thomas (31 December 2020). "China's Z-20 Black Hawk Clone Is Now Packing Air-To-Ground Missiles". The War Zone.
  24. ^ "China's new Z-20T assault helicopter challenges US MH-60L DAP for Special Operation Forces". Armyrecognition. 13 November 2024.
  25. ^ Chan, Minnie (18 August 2022). "Mainland China's new Z-20 helicopter reports for duty in Hong Kong". South China Morning Post.
  26. ^ "直-20首秀空军航空开放活动，空降兵的空中"多面手"". Sohu News. 26 July 2023.
  27. ^ "驻港部队亮出好东西，直-20KS首次公开亮相". China.com.
  28. ^ Waldron, Greg (3 November 2020). "New images of Z-20 helicopter variants highlight China's ASW efforts". FlightGlobal.
  29. ^ Rogoway, Tyler (13 October 2019). "Here Is Our First Clear Look At China's Z-20F Seahawk Helicopter Clone (Updated)". The Drive.
  30. ^ "武警版直-20公开亮相，陆海空三军装备的规模，就非常值得期待了". Tencent News. 18 March 2023.
  31. ^ Kadidal, Akhil (28 March 2024). "New Chinese attack helicopter in development". Janes.
  32. ^ "First Clear Photos Of China's New Z-21 Attack Helicopter (With Striking Resemblance To AH-64)". The Aviationist. 30 March 2024.
  33. ^ Newdick, Thomas (21 March 2024). "China's New Heavy Attack Helicopter Spotted For The First Time (Updated)". The War Zone.
  34. ^ a b For Strategic Studies (Iiss), The International Institute (12 February 2024). The Military Balance 2024. London: Routledge (For The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)). ISBN 978-1-03-278004-7.
  35. ^ Wang, Amber (2022-04-23). "Chinese navy shows off new anti-submarine helicopter". South China Morning Pos t.
  36. ^ Rupprecht, Andreas; Dominguez, Gabriel (25 February 2022). "Possible New Variant of China's Z-20 Helicopter". Mönch Publishing Group. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  37. ^ "Z-20". China Defense.
  38. ^ "New Chinese Z-20 'armed assault' variant emerges". 23 May 2024.
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