From a paper I read, PLA originally interested in attack helo to counter concentrated assult by enemy armours. In that role, WZ-10 and WZ-19 are perfectly adequite. They weren't looking at prolonged missions in hostile ground where a helo may need to tank gunshot, rpgs and manpad. After WZ-10, PLA may be looking at other ways to use these helos, hence a "transition to main assult role"
Z-10 thread
- Thread starter Red Guard
- Start date
- Status
According to China Defence Blog there are so far 48 WZ-10 active in the PLA and that means that CAIC can produce about 24 WZ-10 each year. Now that the WZ-10 has become the main anti tank platform and the WZ-19 the main scouting platform. What is going to happen to all those armed WZ-9 and WZ-11's ? Are they going to be "relegated" to rescue and auxiliary tasks ?
plawolf
Lieutenant General
I doubt it, the Z9 airframe is not exactly famed for it's carrying capacity or endurance, and it would only be of limited use as a utility helo, and it lacks the dedicated winch to use for S&R. Although it is possible that we may see the PLA Mi-17/171 fleet be used more exclusively for transport and logistical support missiles while WZ9s take over their original attack and air assault missions as more and more WZ19s and Z10s come online.
In my view, the existing WZ9s will likely continue to operate alongside the new Z10s and WZ19s in the recon and attack roles. We have already seem pictures of Z10s escorting WZ9s, and I think that is how the PLA will use them, with WZ19s taking over the bulk of the scouting missions while the WZ9s and Z10s operate alongside each other to complement and supplement each other in the attack and air assault roles.
The WZ9s, in addition to bringing more anti-tank missiles and unguided rocket pods, could also embark special forces or regular troops to give the attack formation an airborne infantry capacity that just the Z10 and WZ19 would lack by themselves.
By the time the PLA has built up enough WZ19s and Z10s that operating costs become an issue, the older WZ9s would probably be nearing the end of their service lives and can be retired to relieve pressure on the budget.
AssassinsMace
Lieutenant General
I guess it's clear there are two different WZ-10 versions in service. One keeping much of the original design intact. So what's up with that because when we saw the changes it was thought that the WZ-10 was redesigned to accommodate the less powerful domestic engine? Did they solve the engine problem?
Equation
Lieutenant General
They're the same with different sensors because of different mission. One maybe use for reconnoiter and surveying the battle field and front line, while the other is for communication and laser guidance on the battlefield. There's just not enough energy to power both sensors at the same time.
I guess it's solved. Given the wide coverage of WZ-10 by china media and mass employ by PLA. I don't see any reason PLA is not satisfy with it. They seems to be very happy with it performance and spec.
The first photo is indicative of the first pre-production batch which had the AH-64 style targeting device (WZ-10?) and the second is the production ready version displayed at Zuhai in 2012 (WZ-10A) with different targetting and presumably lighter airframe and approved engine.
It's impossible to tell if the first photo's represent current operational units that have been upgraded to the WS-10A standard to the extent that it's possible.
franco-russe
Senior Member
Judging from how PLA is handling this, there will hardly be a mass retirement of Z-9’s, most of which are quite recent.
Instead, Army Aviation regiments are expanded into brigades, with a typical brigade – 9 Army Avn Bde is an example after being equipped with both Z-8B, Z-10 and Z-19 – having two transport squadrons, two GP squadrons with Z-9 and two attack squadrons with Z-10 and Z-10, respectively. A squadron typically has 12 helicopters.
There are, however, many variations on this theme, with the early brigades (2 and 3) in Western China having more transport squadrons than the average.
Z-11 is exclusively used for training, in three Army Aviation Training Regiments.
- Status