Z-20 (all variants) thread
- Thread starter delft
- Start date
Best image so far released of the PLAN NA ASW variant Z-20F. Here as prototype no. 6222 (pt. F02) and three more naval Z-20s in the hangar behind: far left no. 6213 a Z-20J, then in the middle and far right two more Z-20Fs.
(Image via @飞扬军事铁背心 from Weibo)
By the way, shall we open a dedicated naval-variant thread in the naval section?
(Image via @飞扬军事铁背心 from Weibo)
By the way, shall we open a dedicated naval-variant thread in the naval section?
What's this J variant? Doesn't look like an AEW.
J in this case doesn't stand for Jing/alarm which along with K (Kong) is for AEWC aircraft.
I'm not sure what the J here stands for. It can possibly Jian, as in ship/naval ship, which would be a fair variant identifier for being the generic utility transport shipboard helicopter variant.
lcloo
Captain
Probably configured for SAR mission tests. The hoist is standard, the external payload could be anything, my two cent would be a container for inflatable raft or a fuel tank. Most likely an inflatable raft
I don't think it's configured for SAR; it's a Z-20J so SAR is one of its normal roles in addition to transport, air assault, and can also do anti surface warfare to a degree. As you said, the hoist is standard.
The pod on the side should be a fuel tank. We've seen them carrying two on either side before, which would be much more consistent with fuel tanks than needing to carry two inflatable rafts.
Needless to say, fuel tanks are useful for a variety of missions, beyond only SAR. External fuel tanks are useful for any mission that benefits from increased range or endurance.
I don't think it's configured for SAR; it's a Z-20J so SAR is one of its normal roles in addition to transport, air assault, and can also do anti surface warfare to a degree. As you said, the hoist is standard.
The pod on the side should be a fuel tank. We've seen them carrying two on either side before, which would be much more consistent with fuel tanks than needing to carry two inflatable rafts.
Needless to say, fuel tanks are useful for a variety of missions, beyond only SAR. External fuel tanks are useful for any mission that benefits from increased range or endurance.
Me again since the question posted yesterday was most likely lost!
Shall we open a dedicated Z-20F/J-thread in the naval section for the naval variants? IMO this mix of different versions a bit confusing even more so when it enters service in the foreseeable future, What do you think?