Z-20 (all variants) thread

[ZeEa5KPul]

Is there any word about a successor to the WZ-10? The T700 (most advanced variant ~1500kW) is going to be replaced with the T901 (~2200kW) beginning in 2024. That's the plan but whenever the US military announces anything, add years of delays.

 

[taxiya]

Is there any word about a successor to the WZ-10? The T700 (most advanced variant ~1500kW) is going to be replaced with the T901 (~2200kW) beginning in 2024. That's the plan but whenever the US military announces anything, add years of delays.

There is a 2000 to 2200 kw program ongoing for a few years already, categorized as 5th gen. As usual, we won't hear anything until it is already in operation like WZ-10, WZ-9 etc. If we are lucky some years from now, we may see a research paper related to type-xxx WZ engine of 2000 kw class, by that time the engine would have been in prototype testing already.

 

[Iron Man]

and I stand by that as Semi stealth is over stating the matter. It may have a reduced RCS but it’s not stealth. It’s like saying you have a tame Death metal concert. It’s either stealth or it’s just the norm.
Since this is argument based on a term made up by yourself it’s hard to justify that statement.
But I can point out the steps involved in the white RAH66 stealth as well as how they were part of why that program was cancelled. The steps needed were substantial. The Fuselage wasn’t just shaped it was made of composite materials covered in RAM and IR suppressive paints. Saw toothed edges and serpentine intakes redirected exhaust ports and a internally retracting landing gear. Weapons systems were internally carried this reduced its payload as did the RAM. Even as the program advanced the Army admitted they would have needed to make massive changes to the aircraft to bring it up to spec.
I can also point back to the released Sikorsky study. And it’s conclusion that simply changing the shape of the cabin only offered partial reduction in the RCS at the cost of payload and performance. The more modified the cabin the more sacrifices to performance. As we know the Ghost Hawk crashed during the raid. Loosing its heavily modified tail section. That section is clearly not a stock UH60.
then there are the other features. Cockpit window coatings, sensor emplacements and likely a totally redesigned landing gear and doors. Every opening on it would have had to be redesigned.

I can also point to the failed Silent Eagle and it’s attempt at a reduced RCS F15 which would have demanded extensive RAM coatings to get an RCS the same size as F/A18E or Eurofighter Typhoon. Both of which as well as the Rafale use Ram on the leading edges to farther reduce there cross sections but to far inferior degrees. You can put Lipstick on a pig but that doesn’t mean she’s a Debutante.


And RAH66 was “Proper” Stealth and it was also canceled with only two built after 6.9 Billion US dollars spent on it.
NH90 is not billed as “Semi Stealth” it’s a utility chopper.
Z10 has some stealth like lines but it’s not stealth it’s not even semi it’s just coincidental. A few facets here and there do not stealth make. This isn’t a Dale Brown Novel you can’t take something that wasn’t designed for Very Low Observability and call it stealth. to make a Stealth Z20 like the Stealth Hawk would basically demand a complete redesign of the aircraft.

You should really read the actual billing for the NH-90 before making claims about what it is and is not billed as:

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

Let me quote some choices parts for you:
pg 7: "the NH-90 is agile, stealthy, safe, efficient and powerful"
pg 19: "low radar cross section"
pg 20: "diamond shape for low radar cross section"
pg 20: "IRS to lower the infrared signature"

So clearly there were deliberate attempts to lower both the RCS as well as the IR signature for this helicopter, a helicopter whose shape you casually dismissed as "lines to reduce drag". OTOH clearly the NH-90's RCS reduction is not nearly on the same level of stealth as the Comanche. Hence, my descriptor of semi-stealth, which is clearly what the NH-90 is being "billed" as.

 

[foxmulder_ms]

Have the PLA changed the way the serial numbers are displayed or, are they only covered up for PR photos?

Covered.

The paint job on these helis really look the part. I think the PLA did a great job here and now have capabilities they didn't have before.

Finish is incredible. I think it is not only the paint. When I first saw the hi-res pictures, I thought it was composite instead of metal.

 

[by78]

Three more high-resolution images.

 

[Jono]

Looks as if the chopper is leather coated, not shiny metallic in appearance.
pardon my ignorance, possible RAM coating ??

 

[Iron Man]

Looks as if the chopper is leather coated, not shiny metallic in appearance.
pardon my ignorance, possible RAM coating ??

Extremely unlikely that this is any kind of RAM. RAM only gets you 10% of the way. Body shaping is like 90% of stealth, so if you don't see any shaping, then RAM is unlikely to be present given its expense and maintenance headaches.

 

[foxmulder_ms]

Extremely unlikely that this is any kind of RAM. RAM only gets you 10% of the way. Body shaping is like 90% of stealth, so if you don't see any shaping, then RAM is unlikely to be present given its expense and maintenance headaches.

That did not stop USAF to cover some F-16s in have glass, right?

Z-20 paint looks different. Very smooth. Maybe it is smt.

 

[taxiya]

Looks as if the chopper is leather coated, not shiny metallic in appearance.
pardon my ignorance, possible RAM coating ??

You mean the paint like this? Nothing fancy, just low observatory paint.

 

[ZeEa5KPul]

You mean the paint like this? Nothing fancy, just low observatory paint.

I love that the PLA has discovered matte black. Now if they can only find flat dark earth...