Z-21/Z-X heavy attack helicopter

Blitzo said:

Absolutely, fairly obvious.

You seem to not understand that a "heavier helicopter" means that a given helicopter can perform and fly in a way which is at least equal to a lighter helicopter, while retaining greater range, armour, payload, or a combination of those.

Which is to say, if you are wanting to talk about a desirable helicopter for high altitude regions -- a heavier attack helicopter is better than a lighter attack helicopter because the heavier attack helicopter can carry the same payload while retaining far superior hot and high performance.

As for a Taiwan scenario -- I'm not sure why you think 076 or attack drones fit into this. Attack helicopters are not obsolete because drones and UCAVs exist. Attack helicopters will absolutely remain relevant for years and decades to come.

Overall, there should be a recognition that Z-21 will be superior to Z-10 in may ways, and also recognition that attack helicopters will remain relevant going forwards, thus accepting that the PLA has a need for a new attack helicopter to begin with.






Yes, now you are catching on.

To me, the role for Z-21 seems fairly obvious. The existence of Z-21 says to me, the PLA wanted:
- a new heavy attack helicopter with significantly greater payload, armour, and/or fuel than Z-10, or the ability to carry the same payload as Z-10 while being able to fly in more challenging or higher altitude environments, while also retaining more growth capacity than Z-10
- be sufficiently low risk that it can have a relatively short developmental period, to enter service with minimal delay between time from project initiation to IOC, as opposed to other more challenging drivetrains such as coaxial+pushprop or tilt rotor or other configurations
- pursue a platform with commonality with the Z-20, their current mainstay medium weight utility helicopter, which offers benefits for logistics

That all seems highly obvious and reasonable to me, so I don't see why there should be any skepticism towards these ideas.

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drowingfish said:

i thought the primary consideration for z-21 was to be able to fly over the Taiwan Strait and provide fire support without relying on 075

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Cloud_Nine_ said:

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Okay so I wasn't imagining! It DOES have a Z-10 like diamond cross section! Hope dabao and gaoshan update their models soon xD

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Flanker1949 said:

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