Z-20 (all variants) thread
- Thread starter delft
- Start date
TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
You sure that's PLA? The uniforms look wrong, I might be wrong but its not digital. It could be a older set but I am not sure. Also if that is PLA then the unit pictured is the smaller version in7.62x54mm
SinoSoldier
Colonel
The 7.62 mm cannon won't offer as much capability against vehicles and lightly armored cars/APCs as would the 12.7 mm gun. The main issue with the 12.7 mm is its incredible weight and also the space its ammunition takes up, but that could be solved with the Z-20, which is so far the largest transport helicopter the PLA has seen.
SinoSoldier
Colonel
Isn't that the cover photo used by CDF? Yes, they are Chinese and the gatling cannon in question would be the "Hua Qing".
MwRYum
Major
Those looks like pre-Type 07 uniform (digital camo first introduced with the Type 07 uniform), so I'd say that photo was taken quite sometime back, when a few samples of those gatlings were sent to the field units for "data gathering purpose".
.. what? No, both the Mi-17 series and the Super Frelon are larger.
TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
no both Z8 and Mi8 are bigger. Perhaps you meant the largest indigenous designed transport helicopter.
as to fire power that depends on what you need it for. Most western miniguns used in choppers are 7.62. It does well against thin skinned vehicles and is excellent in antipersonnel roles. Additionally the rate of fire extends the effective range.
going to the big 12.7 may be nice but there is little need. The only advantage is if you are trying to take on light armor. But then why? That's what attack helicopters are for. A transport is a transport its to move troops.
wow, its been so long since I saw that pattern I must've forgotten about it. Amazing how time fly's.
TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
air superiority said:
Z20 wouldn't make a instant capacity equivalent to SOAR160. That unit is configured bassed on a special operations mindset and doctrine that I just don't think the PLA is playing at yet. In order to play there the PLA would need to evolve there special operations asset to include infiltration missions beyond counter terror and recon to include CSAR, target interdiction, snatch and grab, assassination, asset recovery and commando assaults. Today I think they do some of that but to justify SOAR they would need more.
Next because of the PLA's existing equipment and infrastructure they would need more then just a SOAR unit it might end up being a combination SOAR160/AFSOC. Critical mission needs for supporting SOAR include airborne tanker, strike assets as well as fixed wing infiltration assets and organic strategic lift. These could take the form of Y8/Y9 fixed wing transports modified as air tanker, electronic warfare, and for ground attack either via specter like mods or via daisy cutter type weapons deployment and special ops HALO or HAHO jumps. Who knows maybe even skyhook type capacity and finally a number of dedicated Y20 lifters to get the helicopters where they are needed beyond there own range. Assets would need radar detection capacity, terrain mapping, air to air refueling, state of the art defensive suites and high performance communications.
Then would come SOAR platforms not one type but four that are admitted plus one unacknowledged. MH6 little bird, MH60 Blackhawk, MH46 Chinook, MQ1 Grey eagle and add to this at least one Stealth hawk. Now does the PRC rotary wing catalog include assets that could match even some of that? Yes I think they could. Z9W modified for troop transport and less for antiarmor could be used as a MH6 platform preforming light infill and attack. Replacing missiles with gun pods and rockets. Modified Z20 as MH60 would want range extension in the form of air to air refueling, recovery winch, terrain mapping capacity and when needed external weapons like rockets missiles and guns. Mi171 and or AC313 would need to be configured for vehicles and larger team infiltration of both ground and amphibious types. Would need air to air refueling, terrain and surface mapping, possible limited ground attack, rescue and recovery of assets once again on both dry land and amphibious environments. Each of these platforms would need terrain mapping radar and or FLIR , state of the art defences, advanced communications, state of the art avionics, respectable firepower signature reduction features, storage and transportation capacity aboard fixed wing and naval shipping and in the larger birds case air to air refueling. The larger assets would need to carry vehicles like dune biggies, inflatable boats maybe mini wet subs and Para hawks. The larger platforms would also need to be able to land in the water. These units would need to be trained to deploy from Y20 strategic transports or naval assets. Need training in night flying in woodland, desert, artic, amphibious and urban environments. Would need training to survive against the possibility of being lost behind enemy lines, the rescue of personal behind enemy lines and the potential for ditches in amphibious environments.
finally a number of UAV assets for surveillance and limited strike.
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asif iqbal
Lieutenant General
Thing you must remember is that fire supremacy or surprising fire is really to just make the enemy duck so you can insert or exit a situation or get a plan in order
You don't nessasarily need to be punching holes in armoured vehicles, for that 7.62 mm is a perfect round
