Changhe Z-10 Attack Helicopter

Changhe Z-10 Attack Helicopter

Changhe Z-10 Attack Helicopter

The Changhe Z-10 is a Chinese medium attack helicopter developed for the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force.

The Chinese Changhe Z-10 was designed with input from the Russian Kamov design bureau. It is the first indigenous attack helicopter produced in China. A fresh design with an introduction dating back to 2012, numerically, it already covers the needs of the Chinese armed forces.

1. Purpose and Design:

   • The Z-10 is primarily designed for anti-tank warfare missions but has secondary air-to-air combat capability.
   • The project was initiated by chief designer Wu Ximing. Initially, Russian involvement was with the Kamov Design Bureau, but collaboration was halted due to disagreements over design philosophy.
   • The Chinese designers and the PLA General Armaments Department preferred a lighter-weight, more agile airframe with less emphasis on armor.

2. Development Timeline:

   • Early Exploration: In 1979, the Chinese military recognized the need for dedicated attack helicopters to counter large armored formations.
   • Evaluation of Options: China evaluated the Agusta A129 Mangusta and secured an agreement with the United States to purchase AH-1 Cobras and a license to produce BGM-71 TOW missiles (though the latter was canceled due to political events).
   • Local Development: The Z-10’s development began in the late 1990s, and its first flight took place on April 29, 2003.

3. Nickname Origins:

   • The Z-10 and its lighter counterpart, the Harbin Z-19, were named after characters from the Chinese classic novel Water Margin:
     • Z-10: Fierce Thunderbolt (Pi Li Huo), the nickname of Qin Ming.
     • Z-19: Black Whirlwind (Hei Xuan Feng), the nickname of Li Kui.

4. Current Status:

   • In September 2016, the PLA announced that all of its army aviation units had been equipped with the Z-10.

The Z-10 is a significant addition to China’s military aviation capabilities, enhancing its ability to engage both ground targets and other aircraft.

Blue Sky navigation pod

Specifications:

• Crew: 2
• Length: 14.15 m (46 ft 5 in) 
• Height: 3.85 m (12 ft 8 in) 
• Empty weight: 5,100 kg (11,244 lb)
• Gross weight: 5,540 kg (12,214 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 7,000 kg (15,432 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × WZ-9 turboshaft engines, 930–957 kW (1,247–1,283 hp) each
• Main rotor diameter: 12 m (39 ft 4 in)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 270 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn)
• Cruise speed: 230 km/h (140 mph, 120 kn)
• Range: 800 km (500 mi, 430 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 6,400 m (21,000 ft)
• g limits: +3
• Rate of climb: 10 m/s (2,000 ft/min) +

weapon system

• Guns: 1x 23 mm (0.906 in) PX-10A revolver cannon or 1x 25 mm (0.984 in) M242 Bushmaster chain gun copy
• Hardpoints: 4 with a capacity of 1,500 kg (3,307 lb) useful load

  Rockets:

1. Type 57 57 mm (2.244 in) unguided rocket
2. FS70 70 mm (2.756 in) unguided rocket
3. FS70A (GR-5) 70 mm (2.756 in) guided rocket
4. FS70B 70 mm (2.756 in) air burst fragmentation rocket
5. FS90 90 mm (3.543 in) unguided rocket
6. FS90A 90 mm (3.543 in) guided rocket

   Missiles: For each hardpoint:

1. 4× HJ-8, HJ-9 laser-guided air-to-surface missiles
2. 4× AKD-10 (BA-7) laser-guided air-to-surface missiles
3. 4× AKD-9 (BA-9) laser-guided air-to-surface missiles
4. 4× AKD-21 (BA-21) millimetre-wave air-to-surface missiles
5. 4× AG300M or AG300L laser-guided air-to-surface missiles
6. 4× CM-502KG or CM-502V NLOS air-to-surface missiles
7. 2× CM-501GA NLOS air-to-surface missiles
8. 1× CM-501XA loitering munition
9. 4× TY-90 air-to-air missiles
   

Avionics

• YH millimetre-wave fire-control radar
• Helmet-mounted sight with night vision goggles
• BM/KG300G self-protection jamming pod
• Blue Sky navigation pod
• KZ900 reconnaissance pod
• YH-96 electronic warfare suite

The Changhe Z-10, also known as the WZ-10, is a Chinese medium-weight, twin-engine attack helicopter developed by the Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAIC) for the People's Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF). Primarily designed for anti-tank warfare, it also possesses secondary air-to-air combat capabilities.

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Development History

• Initiation: The development of a medium-weight helicopter program began in 1994, with the attack helicopter program formally commencing in 1998.

• Design Collaboration: The preliminary design was provided by the Russian Kamov Design Bureau, while prototyping was conducted by the 602nd Aircraft Design Institute of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

• First Flight: The Z-10's maiden flight occurred on April 29, 2003.

• Service Entry: The helicopter entered service with the PLAGF in 2009.

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Design and Features

• Airframe: The Z-10 features a tandem cockpit configuration, with the gunner seated at the front and the pilot at the rear. Its slim, rhombic fuselage design reduces radar cross-section and enhances structural strength.

• Rotor System: Equipped with a five-blade main rotor and a four-blade tail rotor arranged in a non-orthogonal (scissor) configuration to reduce noise.

• Materials: The fuselage is primarily constructed from aluminum alloy, with approximately 30% composite materials. The cockpit is protected by carbon fiber and bulletproof glass, with additional armor in critical areas.

• Stealth and Survivability: Incorporates radar-absorbent materials and infrared suppression systems to reduce detectability. Later models feature upward-facing exhaust nozzles to further minimize infrared signatures.

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Propulsion

• Engines: Initially powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67C turboshaft engines during prototyping. Early production models utilized domestic Zhuzhou WZ-9 engines, each producing approximately 1,350 shp. Upgraded variants are equipped with WZ-9C engines, offering enhanced power output.

• Performance:

  • Maximum Speed: Approximately 270 km/h (168 mph).
  • Cruise Speed: Around 230 km/h (143 mph).
  • Range: Approximately 800 km (497 miles) with internal fuel tanks.

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Armament

• Cannon: A chin-mounted automatic cannon with 180° horizontal traverse. The specific caliber can vary, with options including 23mm or 30mm cannons.

• Missiles:

  • Air-to-Surface: Capable of deploying various anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) such as the HJ-8, HJ-9, HJ-10, AKD-9, and AKD-10. The helicopter can carry up to 16 missiles across four hardpoints.
    
  • Air-to-Air: Equipped to fire TY-90 missiles, specifically designed for aerial combat between helicopters.
    

• Rockets: Supports a variety of unguided and guided rockets, with options including 7-tube and 19-tube rocket pods for different calibers.

• Additional Payloads: Can be fitted with electronic warfare pods, external fuel tanks, and can undersling loads up to approximately 3 tonnes, such as all-terrain vehicles for special operations.

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Avionics and Systems

• Fire Control: Advanced systems integrating targeting and weapon deployment.

• Sensors: Equipped with night vision and thermal imaging for all-weather operations.

• Communication: Data link capabilities for enhanced battlefield situational awareness.

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Operational Use

• Primary Role: Designed for anti-armor operations, effectively engaging and neutralizing enemy tanks and armored vehicles.

• Secondary Role: Capable of air-to-air engagements, providing defense against hostile helicopters and low-flying aircraft.

• Deployment: Actively used by the People's Liberation Army Ground Force and the People's Liberation Army Air Force Airborne Corps. The Pakistan Army Aviation Corps has also received units of the Z-10ME variant.

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The Changhe Z-10 represents a significant advancement in China's rotary-wing aviation capabilities, combining modern design with versatile armament options to fulfill multiple combat roles on the modern battlefield.

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