Z-20 (all variants) thread

[Deino]

Interesting, AFAIK this is the first time we've seen a Z-20T assault helicopter carrying a PL-90 AAM.

 

[DanWangJZ]

What would be the significance of integrating the PL-90 AAM on combat capabilities compared to previous loadouts?

Interesting, AFAIK this is the first time we've seen a Z-20T assault helicopter carrying a PL-90 AAM.

View attachment 161942

 

[Deino]

What would be the significance of integrating the PL-90 AAM on combat capabilities compared to previous loadouts?

It's an AAM for self-defence or against other aerial threads ... so far we have only seen ATGMs

 

[DanWangJZ]

Do you have any insight into the benefits of AMM for self-defence?

It's an AAM for self-defence or against other aerial threads ... so far we have only seen ATGMs

 

[Atomicfrog]

Do you have any insight into the benefits of AMM for self-defence?

For a transport helicopter, having to defend against an air threat means a huge tactical error... Other assets are way more adapted to use aam against such threats. For a transport helicopter it would be better to drop your payload (troops) asap than chasing squirrels.

 

[DanWangJZ]

That makes a lot of sense, thanks!

 

[Curio]

It's an AAM for self-defence or against other aerial threads ... so far we have only seen ATGMs

And 70mm unguided rockets

 

[daifo]

For a transport helicopter, having to defend against an air threat means a huge tactical error... Other assets are way more adapted to use aam against such threats. For a transport helicopter it would be better to drop your payload (troops) asap than chasing squirrels.

I can't say i know army organization or if its pure fiction but in the "black hawk down" movie, a couple of the black hawks circle in the airspace with commanders directing ground and air movements. Its possible some of these armed z-20 have roles outside of transport.

 

[gelgoog]

Given the current drone threat the helicopter launched AAM seems like a good idea to me.

 

[Atomicfrog]

I can't say i know army organization or if its pure fiction but in the "black hawk down" movie, a couple of the black hawks circle in the airspace with commanders directing ground and air movements. Its possible some of these armed z-20 have roles outside of transport.

I see these armed Z-20 clearing a landing zone and dropping their payload asap. Sure in scenario that you have air superiority and firepower supremacy you can loiter but its alway the case of making jack of all trade vs specialized system. Practicaly everything else would be better than Z-20 in a AA scenario, attack helicopters, fighters jet, personnel on the ground with manpads, etc.

I would choose more IR countermeasure, MAWS and ECM for the weight of carrying AA missiles and subsytems on a transport oriented helicopter anytime.