Z-21/Z-X heavy attack helicopter

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ACuriousPLAFan

Brigadier
Registered Member
Blitzo said:
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.
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Blitzo said:
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.
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I have seen some on Weibo stating/claiming that this Z-21/Z-XX could be an interim design that can be introduced into PLA service, until newer and better technological breakthroughs that would allow the development of more advanced heavy attack helicopter design that is equivalent to the S-97 or SB-1 can happen.

In the meantime, whether the Z-21/Z-XX is just an interim solution or is indeed the final design for full-scale procurement by the PLA - The mere existence and development of the Z-21/Z-XX means that China is getting much closer towards solving the fundamental question of "have and not have" (有和无的问题) WRT the heavy attack helicopter domain for the PLA.

This is especially true as it has been mentioned/claimed that the PLAN is urgently demanding for a heavy attack helicopter that can be deployed on their 075 and 076 LHDs, and the Z-21/Z-XX fits their need just in time. Moreover, there is also the need for heavy attack helicopters in the WTC, primarily to serve as a counterweight against the high-altitude operation-capable Apache and Hind heavy attack helicopters already in service with the IAF.

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On the other hand - Some part of me is hoping that this Z-21/Z-XX would be equipped with at least some degrees of cross-service CEC and manned-unmanned cooperability capability. But that might just be me.
 
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A

ACuriousPLAFan

Brigadier
Registered Member
MrCrazyBoyRavi said:
Bro. Thats ditto apache. First blackhawk and now apache. It doesn’t look good on PLA.
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"We have spotted a J-20! Since it's a rather unique design of its own with canards, let's leave him alone"
"We have spotted a J-35! Fvcking F-35 copycats! Shoot him shoot him shoot him!!"

Yeah, NO - Nobody on the battlefield thinks like that LMFAO

MrCrazyBoyRavi said:
They could had chose any external design but ended up copying US helicopter design.
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I suppose that India, South Korea and Turkey could have chosen any external design but ended up copying the US' F-22 and F-35 designs instead?
 
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