I swear every time we get somewhat of a clear look at the new attack helo it's either view obstructed like this or its in an awkward angle so that we cant pin down exactly how it looks. 
Z-21/Z-X heavy attack helicopter
- Thread starter siegecrossbow
- Start date
lcloo
Captain
I watch the AH-64 Apache helicopter lifting off video and noticed that they point theu guns upward before taking off.
Also they take off vertically for a few metres before poitning the chopper's nose downward for forward speed then move upwards. There is no danger that the gun will hit the ground.
lcloo
Captain
HenriKenhmann posted on his X site East Pendulum that the Z21 photo was taken in Tibet
Le prototype immatriculé 6233 du nouvel hélicoptère d'attaque chinois se trouve apparemment sur le plateau tibétain pour une nouvelle campagne d'essais.
Translated from French
The prototype of China's new attack helicopter, registration number 6233, is apparently on the Tibetan plateau for a new test campaign.
Le prototype immatriculé 6233 du nouvel hélicoptère d'attaque chinois se trouve apparemment sur le plateau tibétain pour une nouvelle campagne d'essais.
Translated from French
The prototype of China's new attack helicopter, registration number 6233, is apparently on the Tibetan plateau for a new test campaign.
Most likely high-altitude test like those we have seen some time ago twice with the Z-20 at Daocheng Yading Airport in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan (I think) ... once in snow in February 2015 and once in November 2016 (?).
lcloo
Captain
A small correction. Last 2 photo were taken in Mohe, a county level city in Heilongjiang province, North East of China bordering Russian Siberia.
Note that this prototype does not have the MMW radar or the upward-facing exhausts found on the first prototype. This brings the total prototype count to at least 3:Under wraps.
1. The original prototype with MMW radar and upward-facing exhausts
2. #6232 without MMW radar or upward-facing exhausts
3. #6233 without MMW radar or upward-facing exhausts, seen above
I am curious as to why they chose to remove these features on subsequent prototypes, or if we are just seeing photos of the earlier prototype later than that of the initial prototype.
They are effective but it comes with several cons including the risk of increased delamination of the blades, loss of lift as hot air is less dense and the risk of engine ingesting its own exhaust in certain flight conditions.
Would be interesting to see where are the drains for rain water on these upward facing exhaust ? Don't know how corrosive is that water leaching up combustion residue.
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