I think it's just 4 regular pylons like usual, unless I'm not seeing something.
Z-21/Z-X heavy attack helicopter
- Thread starter siegecrossbow
- Start date
I don't see why people are disappointed at this thing tbh.
A proper heavy attack helicopter in the 10t class is something the PLA has been lacking, and sharing commonality with Z-20 is both beneficial for logistics and for speed of development/risk.
And in terms of capabilities, the 3t difference between Z-10 and this "Z-21" is difficult to be understated in terms of additional armour, fuel and sensor capabilities (including if they want to put on a mast mounted radar as standard).
Of course, eventually a newer attack helicopter platform will emerge, but a well designed 10t helicopter can have a lot of longevity.
I think that the expectations were too high before the reveal.
Capabilities wise it will give PLA an attack heli the capability of taking off from mainland air bases, fly across the strait, and loiter for a long time for close in fire support. The significance can’t be understated.
My feeling is that the rumour about the coaxial attack helicopter raised expectations a little, but I think everyone should have also been skeptical about that rumour being for attack helicopter intended for short term procurement.
Let's put it this way -- even the US does not have a heavy attack helicopter under development pursuing an unconventional/exotic configuration like coaxial +/- pusher prop, and US helicopter technology and industry is ahead of everyone else.
The idea that the PLA would pursue a heavy attack heli with such a configuration intended for service should have run some alarm bells.
Now, it is still possible that we will see an attack helicopter in some form with a coaxial+pusher prop configuration in the near future, but I personally do not expect it to be intended for procurement in the near term, but perhaps more as a technology demonstrator or something less ambitious like an armed scout helicopter.
One aspect worth keeping an eye on, as we get better pictures, is those four flat areas on the aircraft's fuselage.
It looks like they may be four fixed arrays, which may be for ESM which would make sense but more exotic would be if they were fitted with the AESA based MAWS that is used alongside DIRCM.
Or alternatively of course they could be nothing.
It looks like they may be four fixed arrays, which may be for ESM which would make sense but more exotic would be if they were fitted with the AESA based MAWS that is used alongside DIRCM.
Or alternatively of course they could be nothing.
TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
With the super chopper crowd now quiet.
Using the Z20 as the basis shows again the PLA’s conservatism streak. The main justification here is weapons payload. The Z10 is a lighter attack chopper closer to the AH1 and A129 Mangusta. Now with this we see a true SinoApache so the question I think we need to watch is what they mount for weapons. We just about sorted the Z10’s turret to a 23mm. Does this get a 30x165mm Soviet based on the 2A42? Or do the PLA decide to go their own way? Do they not bother at all?
Then the question of what it actually will mount on its hard points how many missiles what kinds? Will they develop their own CLT with drones?
It’s exciting
Using the Z20 as the basis shows again the PLA’s conservatism streak. The main justification here is weapons payload. The Z10 is a lighter attack chopper closer to the AH1 and A129 Mangusta. Now with this we see a true SinoApache so the question I think we need to watch is what they mount for weapons. We just about sorted the Z10’s turret to a 23mm. Does this get a 30x165mm Soviet based on the 2A42? Or do the PLA decide to go their own way? Do they not bother at all?
Then the question of what it actually will mount on its hard points how many missiles what kinds? Will they develop their own CLT with drones?
It’s exciting
