Z-10 thread

[sheogorath]

Has the gun been changed for the Z-10ME, seeing it has an external feeding system compared to vanilla Z-10?

 

[Dolcevita]

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Singapore Airshow 2024: China debuts Z-10ME attack helicopter for export market​

by Ridzwan Rahmat

The Z-10ME, seen here at Singapore Airshow 2024. (Janes/Ridzwan Rahmat)

Beijing's state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) is marketing an export variant of its Changhe Aircraft Industries (Group) Company Z-10 attack helicopter at Singapore Airshow 2024.

Dubbed as the Z-10 ME, the helicopter is being shown overseas for the first time, an AVIC representative who spoke to Janes at the airshow has confirmed.

The airframe is being positioned for customers in the Southeast Asian and Middle East regions, and features modifications that will make it more suitable to perform close-in fire-support operations for ground troops, the representative added.

Among the major modifications is the helicopter's engine air intakes, which have been modified to better suit sandy and dusty operating conditions typically found in the tropical climates. This is achieved with air intake filters designed specifically for the Z-10ME, said the representative.

In addition to this, the Z-10ME has been modified to reduce its vulnerability to manportable surface-to-air missiles. This is primarily achieved by redirecting exhaust gases from its engines upwards, instead of sideways, and the incorporation of missile warning sensors and countermeasure systems.

Besides these enhancements, the Z-10ME has also been built for better survivability against small arms and surface-deployed close-in weapon systems. This is achieved by incorporating external armour plates at certain locations along cockpit's windows for crew protection, and on the engine cowlings.

To enhance its connectivity with other units, the ZM-10E can also be incorporated with satellite communication (satcom) antennas, which can be mounted on the aircraft's tail boom.

When asked about the capabilities of its rotor-mast-mounted radar, the AVIC representative declined to give further information citing confidentiality concerns.

 

[by78]

More high-resolution images of the Z-10ME on static display at the Singapore Airshow, including some very nice close-ups.

 

[by78]

 

[by78]

These last four are newly released old images, not from the Singapore Airshow.

 

[KampfAlwin]

These last four are newly released old images, not from the Singapore Airshow.

I've noticed both the pilot and copilot now has AC in their cockpit, must be nice. I wonder if that's a consequence of having more power from the upgraded engines. The Z-10ME shown flying seems to be the same one being displayed at the SG airshow since they both share the same serial number 02.

Although the flying one has a more spherical mast radar while the static one has a cheese wheel-shaped one.

 

[Totoro]

CM-502KG is sometimes credited with a 25 km range. But was there ever an official promo table/booklet clearly stating such range?

Also, such range would require quite potent guidance and comms technology. Any missile engaging a potentially moving target over such a range would require third party initial targeting. Missile flying towards a predetermined area, probably course corrected while in flight. Then either A) a robust target recognition would be needed embedded in the missile, to recognize the proper target and perform the terminal approach. or B) that third party targeting would need to lase the target, probably with a specific signature, so the missile picks up on that reflected signature laser signal, and then takes over for terminal approach.

So, second part of the question, has the 502KG been credited with such capabilities?

 

[KampfAlwin]

CM-502KG is sometimes credited with a 25 km range. But was there ever an official promo table/booklet clearly stating such range?

Also, such range would require quite potent guidance and comms technology. Any missile engaging a potentially moving target over such a range would require third party initial targeting. Missile flying towards a predetermined area, probably course corrected while in flight. Then either A) a robust target recognition would be needed embedded in the missile, to recognize the proper target and perform the terminal approach. or B) that third party targeting would need to lase the target, probably with a specific signature, so the missile picks up on that reflected signature laser signal, and then takes over for terminal approach.

So, second part of the question, has the 502KG been credited with such capabilities?

Didn't take too long for me to google it

 

[Blitzo]

CM-502KG is sometimes credited with a 25 km range. But was there ever an official promo table/booklet clearly stating such range?

Just search "CM-502KG".
The full version of the placard posted above:

Also, such range would require quite potent guidance and comms technology. Any missile engaging a potentially moving target over such a range would require third party initial targeting. Missile flying towards a predetermined area, probably course corrected while in flight. Then either A) a robust target recognition would be needed embedded in the missile, to recognize the proper target and perform the terminal approach. or B) that third party targeting would need to lase the target, probably with a specific signature, so the missile picks up on that reflected signature laser signal, and then takes over for terminal approach.

So, second part of the question, has the 502KG been credited with such capabilities?

I think the second placard somewhat alludes to it.

Overall, I think it should be safe to assume that most modern ATGMs with ranges in excess of 10km, probably have some sort of LOAL/networked engagement feature.

It's not exactly exotic these days, if anything such a capability should probably be viewed as pedestrian for recent/newly developed ATGMs, in TYOOL 2024.


So 25km for CM-502KG and networked engagement all seems highly reasonable to me. It's less of a surprise that such a missile exists and more of a surprise that the PLA has seemingly procured it.

 

[iBBz]

What is up with mounting everything externally like that wasting valuable thrust and efficiency?