Z-21/Z-X heavy attack helicopter

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mack8

Senior Member
Indeed that's what it obviously is, these modern digital cameras are really annoying in this respect, it's weird looking at say a WW2 aircraft flying but the prop doesn't move or just in a weird way.
 
Lnk111229

Lnk111229

Junior Member
Registered Member
This Z-21 sure is lineage of Z-10. And for my amateur cope the smothered streamline design sure help with some stealth aspects are they?!
 
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Clango

Junior Member
Registered Member
Deino said:
And even more interesting, a not previously confirmed prototype #6236

View attachment 170734
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Wonder what's going to be the gun on it, hopefully not going to be that pea shooter 23mm anymore. We also don't seem to have particularly great info on what sort of AGM is it supposed to carry, same goes for the Z-10.
 
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plawolf

plawolf

Lieutenant General
Lnk111229 said:
This Z-21 sure is lineage of Z-10. And for my amateur cope the smothered streamline design sure help with some stealth aspects are they?!
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I don’t really think RCS mitigation would be a major priority for an attack helicopter design. Certainly not for one with external weapons carriage at any rate. Any RCS reduction from the airframe optimisation will be more than offset by all the pylons and weapons.

The streamlined appearance is probably more driven by aerodynamic considerations, as minimising drag is always desirable for aircraft, and I think Chinese designers will be more conscious of that than most due to the history of Chinese engine deficiencies. While Chinese engine technology has largely caught up, a lot of design habits are likely to remain for some time yet, until new generations of engineers who emerged after China wasn’t majorly constrained by engines start to take over the reins.
 
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Saibotz

New Member
Registered Member
Is the pilot likely to be positioned in the rear seat like the Apache or the Mil Mi-28? Or are they likely to stick with the z-10 seating arrangement in which the pilot is seared in the front? I imagine both options have their pros and cons.
 
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taxiya

Brigadier
Registered Member
........... said:
Hopefully it has ir suppression and not just upwards Exhaust I ain't see no patents
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Upward exhaust is part of the IR suppression. And what you see in Apache is an "induction nozzle" which uses hot exhaust to suck in cold air to mix, it works in the same principle as upward exhaust by forcing cool air mix. Just like upward exhaust will prevent hot gas release which reduces engine power, "induction nozzzle" reduces engine power too. There is no magic solution, everything is a compromize, it is only a choice of how much sacrifice one want and does that extra effort worth it.

Apache is very good design, American did a great job, BUT none of them should be regarded as the only goal post. Also everyone should be reminded that Apache's IR suppression nozzle is FAR FAR from being something challenging, lots of old and current jet engines use the same tech, WS-10 particularly used this tech to protect nozzle from overheat.

BTW, at latest in 2022 there is paper from China on "induction nozzle" on helicopter.
 
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