Z-21 in flight. Posted by @rational314159 on Twitter.
Z-21/Z-X heavy attack helicopter
- Thread starter siegecrossbow
- Start date
It wasn't in the parade because it is not yet in service at the minimum IOT&E floor yet to be considered for parade presence.
As for news, we know they have multiple prototypes flying, but as per normal we don't get consistent updates, just sometimes a new image here or there trickles out.
Considering it only first flew in early 2024, the progress and stream of new information/imagery we are getting about it, is reasonably normal.
It is anticipated that armed helicopters deployed for frontline combat will be replaced by various types of unmanned aerial vehicles. Will this heavy-duty armed helicopter enter mass service in the future, or will it only undergo small-scale trial deployment?
Is this anticipated to happen in China, or other countries?
Russia seems to still be producing and using attack helicopters with no intention to retire them (Ukraine does too), even though they theoretically could and then put those resources into drone production. The infatuation with drones in the West seems to have occurred at the height of the Bayraktar craze, but you don't see those anymore; the Ukrainians have literally said they are virtually useless.
I'm aware Japan cancelled plans to procure a replacement for its AH-1s in favor of drones, and the US seems to have halted development of rotary combat aviation for similar reasons. If Europe can be added to the list of those ditching helicopters solely based on the proliferation of Twitter clips, those are hardly nations whose procurement strategies China ought to emulate.
foxmulder_ms
Junior Member
Korea did the same, canceling Apaches.
I personally think helicopters will still have their place. Armies are just trying to figure out how to maximize their utility. Russia is still using them bu much less than they were during the initial stages of the war.
The only thing that could effectively replace an attack helicopter is an unmanned drone of comparable range, with a comparable sensor suite and similar weapons payload. So basically an unmanned attack helicopter.
Yes countries like the US, South Korea or Japan seek to supplement their existing helicopter forces with UAVs and cut future procurements in favor of such systems. And while many point towards the war in Ukraine as an example of how "attack helicopters are done!", the very same war also proves how effective these helicopters can be if deployed differently. Russian helicopters like the Ka-52/Ka-52M and Mi-28/Mi-28NM have proven, that when deployed cautiously and more defensively, that they're able to inflict heavy casualties and stop opposing assaults. They didn't do that alone, but together with drones, infantry, artillery, fighter bombers and cleverly placed mine fields, but they have been vital assets. They were crucial in shattering the Ukrainian counter offensive and they have also heavily contributed to driving out the Ukrainians from Kursk. These instances had the helicopters operate under the cover of friendly air defense assets and being able to engage targets that were either entrenched our susceptible to attack by maneuvering. Their ability to loiter, respond quickly and carry significant amounts of ordnance and sensors with them makes them lethal platforms.
Europe isn't abandoning the attack helicopter either, with the AW249 Fenice on the horizon in Italy for example. And Russia is heavily invested to modernize their existing fleet and they're producing new helicopters as well. And IIRC there is a project for a next generation helicopter underway as well, or at least rumored to be. Because of that, I don't really see why China would give up on the concept of the attack helicopter, if anything they'll be able to make some serious money from exporting them to countries who can truly need such a capability. While China itself will see the value in certain theaters against certain adversaries. Makes me wonder how well the Z-21 will be suited to operating at high altitude in mountainous regions.
I think heavy attack helicopters still have a place. But the attack helicopters will have to modernize to keep up with the drone and long range MLRS threat.
The attack helicopters will have to get faster, get better sensors, AI assisted target detection, their own drones, and fire and forget longer range weapons.
The whole idea of hovering to detect or attack targets should be discarded.
The attack helicopters will have to get faster, get better sensors, AI assisted target detection, their own drones, and fire and forget longer range weapons.
The whole idea of hovering to detect or attack targets should be discarded.