Z-20 (all variants) thread

[MwRYum]

are they going to copy Lynx? OMG

No, that's just a illustration for the article explaining what weight class can fit into what role, though the Chinese have no 6-ton catagory product in the pipeline there's the closest 7-ton product, the Z-15.

However, the Z-15 has yet even have a prototype assembled - only the EC-175 first flew in 2009.

And back on topic, things about the Z-20 can only be described as "dead quiet" since the alleged "first flight", till now there has yet any photos of decent quality available. Is it because the Z-20 is a "royal bastard" of sort, it doesn't get the similar coverage like the Y-20 received?

 

[TerraN_EmpirE]

No, that's just a illustration for the article explaining what weight class can fit into what role, though the Chinese have no 6-ton catagory product in the pipeline there's the closest 7-ton product, the Z-15.

However, the Z-15 has yet even have a prototype assembled - only the EC-175 first flew in 2009.

And back on topic, things about the Z-20 can only be described as "dead quiet" since the alleged "first flight", till now there has yet any photos of decent quality available. Is it because the Z-20 is a "royal bastard" of sort, it doesn't get the similar coverage like the Y-20 received?

Or if Z15 has it's not been leaked, Same for any farther development of the Z20. Of course it might just be lack of interest Jet fighters like the J20 and the large shadow of The Y20 could have shaded the interest in such.

 

[MwRYum]

Or if Z15 has it's not been leaked, Same for any farther development of the Z20. Of course it might just be lack of interest Jet fighters like the J20 and the large shadow of The Y20 could have shaded the interest in such.

If you're of certain age, you'd have long heard about the Z-20, or more precisely, their effort to build a local version of the S-70 blackhawk helicopter, and the project's apparent "death" because of the technological gap and Chinese have imported so many Mi-17/171 to fill the role.

And now it finally have its first prototype first flew? There are plenty of eyes trained onto the Z-20...sure it ain't as glamorous as fighter jet but to the not-so-infantile amongst us, we understand the underlying significance should this project reach production stage.

The Y-20 is, I admit, another kind of animal, because it was earmarked in the 5-year plan.

 

[Blitzo]

If you're of certain age, you'd have long heard about the Z-20, or more precisely, their effort to build a local version of the S-70 blackhawk helicopter, and the project's apparent "death" because of the technological gap and Chinese have imported so many Mi-17/171 to fill the role.

And now it finally have its first prototype first flew? There are plenty of eyes trained onto the Z-20...sure it ain't as glamorous as fighter jet but to the not-so-infantile amongst us, we understand the underlying significance should this project reach production stage.

The Y-20 is, I admit, another kind of animal, because it was earmarked in the 5-year plan.

Helicopters generally don't get as much coverage as jet fighters or other planes.

Simply remember how long it took for us to get decent pictures of Z-10, or how long it took for us to get a new picture of the Z-8YJ.

Y-20 was completely different, not only because it was in the 5 year plan, but also because of the greater prestige and technological difficulty and exclusivity of developing such an aircraft. Indeed, I doubt we'll ever have the kind of quick CCTV coverage which we did when the first y-20 prototype flew last year, ever again.


And like you said, Z-20 is definitely less glamorous and is sort of the "bastard child" -- however helicopters also generally get less coverage by PLA watchers anyway. They are also easier to hide.


so all in all, I don't find the lack of Z-20 pictures uncanny at all and fits with previous precedents.
And I don't think there's any reason to think the first flight was "alleged".

 

[TerraN_EmpirE]

Helicopters generally don't get as much coverage as jet fighters or other planes.

My point exactly. it's like a magicians trick, if there were not CV16, J15,J20,Y20, and J31 Z 20 might have gotten more press but with so much eye candy elsewhere it's distracting.

And like you said, Z-20 is definitely less glamorous and is sort of the "bastard child" -- however helicopters also generally get less coverage by PLA watchers anyway. They are also easier to hide.

Literally. Y20 is so big she grabbed everyone's eye.

 

[Preux]

Speaking of the Z-15...

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[TerraN_EmpirE]

Now it makes sense. The Chinese government were in negotiations with Eurocopter now Airbus helicopter for production. As a joint project both sides have to come to proper agreements. The Bureaucracy. We saw hulls in the PRC but not much of flight, we saw flights in Europe. So ABH mist have slightly more control over the rights then the Chinese. Although a Joint the heart of the program must have been European. Now however both parties have reached a point where the Chinese production is considered reality. This is still a really attractive platform for not just civil but military service as well.

 

[Phigam]

Hello everyone,

I am not sure if this is the correct place to post this or this has been answered at some point over the years. I did a quick search of helicopters and did not find anything more general. This is a question about medium helicopters that I have wondered for a long time. I know members have said that the helicopter needs more development as opposed to some of the other areas and that there is a shortage of helicopters. That China wants to be 100% self reliant and not depend on foreign tech. The gear box and engine are a weakness and so on. My question is why are they developing so many medium lift helicopters? According to the Chinese Military Aviation website they have bought russian Mi-17 (as well as upgraded versions) that are considered medium transport, that are described as robust and cheap. It sounds like they could get license or reverse engineer that one (I'm not a military expert). Now they are working on Z-20, similar to the blackhawks, also a medium (which is good at higher altitudes in tibet, but it also says Mi-17 were bought as replacements). They already have the Z-8/Z-18 from france, which is also a medium helicopter. On top of which they are working with eurocopter for the next gen medium helicopters, but still have multiple current gen medium helicopter projects. They also have access to the Ka-27 for ships (not sure if its considered a medium size helicopter), which is a stopgap for the Z-8 (they had quality issues and bringing it over to ship based). Just never understood why so many different medium helicopter types? Is there a reason they are not focusing on just a few and concentrating resources into them? Thanks in advance.

 

[TerraN_EmpirE]

First Blackhawk and "SinoHawk" and Mi17 are not the same size. the Z20 SinoHawk is smaller and more nimble when compared to the Mi17 or the Super Frelon ( one Which the Z8 is based.) Thus far these is debate regarding the future of the Z15. but both Mi17 and Z8 are very old designs. H60 is no spring chicken to be fair but is still younger. And no doubt the Chinese have used there work with Eurocopter on the Z15 to update the specs for Z20.
Because they are larger the Mi8/Mi17 and Z8 can fill different missions.
Z8 and KA27 right now seems to be a PLAN choppers posted to Naval platforms Where the Boat shaped hull of the Z8 can serve a particular use in case of ditching KA27 to serve it's intended Role AEW and ASW, Well Mi17 is going to the Ground Forces where is can act as support and transport. Z20 and Z15 are a biit of a mystery and PLA has yet to reveal there plans as yet I have argued that Z15 is for the PLAN well Z20 is for the ground forces.

 

[montyp165]

Z-15 I can definitely see as a Z-9 replacement, while the Z-20 fills the Mi-17 role both for ground forces and naval units.