Any specs?
Does it actually exist in combat ready form?

Z-10 Attack Helicopter

Information

Last updated: 2 October 2007


The Z-10 (Zhisheng-10, or Zhi-10) attack helicopter is being developed by Changhe Aircraft Industries Group (CAIG) and China Helicopter Research and Development Institute (CHRDI), both based in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province. The primary mission for the helicopter is anti-armour and battlefield interdiction, with a secondary capability for air-to-air combat. The Z-10 is thought to be in the same class as the Agusta A-129, South African Rooivalk, and German Tiger attack helicopter.

A total of 6~8 prototypes have reportedly been built since 2003. The maiden flight of the helicopter took place on 29 April 2003. These helicopters are currently undergoing intensive flight testing before the design can be finalised and production approved. The helicopter is expected to enter PLA service in 2008/09.

Development of a dedicated attack helicopter began in the mid-1990s at Changhe and CHRDI. Another Chinese helicopter manufacturer, Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Company (HAMC), may have also involved in the design of the helicopter. Chenghe’s parent company, AVIC II, has been working with European partners on the common helicopter dynamic system, which can be used on both the proposed medium helicopter and the attack helicopter. However, China has not sought outside help with the attack helicopter’s mission system, possibly due to security reasons.

Internet source photos revealed that the Z-10 attack helicopter has a conventional attack helicopter layout, with the pilot and weapons operator seated in tandem, stepped cockpits. The helicopter has a five-blade main rotor and a four-blade tail rotor. Two engines are podded to the helicopter just to the rear of the cockpit. The fuselage has a sloped side to reduce its radar cross section (RCS), and is slender and tapered to the rear, with fixed landing gear. The tail boom tapers to the rear, with a high, swept-back fin with square tip. The flats are unequally tapered with a square tip, while the belly fin has the rear landing wheel attached. The tail rotor is mounted on the right side.

The helicopter may be fitted with a ‘fly-by-wire‘ (FBW) control system, and a modern glass cockpit with multifunctional display (MFD) screens. The helicopter crew may also be equipped with a helmet-mounted sight (HMS) for head-up display of information and weapon control. A sensor suite is located in the nose of the helicopter, possibly consisting of television and forward looking infrared (FLIR) sensors. The helicopter’s electronic warfare suite consists of radar warning receiver (RWR), laser warning receiver, infrared jammer and chaff and flare decoy dispensers.

Fixed weapon onboard the Z-10 includes a cannon installed in the chin of the helicopter. Two stub wings provide four stores stations for external ordinance. China is currently developing a new HJ-10 anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), which was said to be comparable to the U.S. AGM-114 Hellfire. In addition, the helicopter could also carry TY-90 air-to-air missiles and unguided rocket launcher pods.

The Z-10 helicopter is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67C turboshaft engines with Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC). The engines have a maximum continuous power of 1,531hp (1,142kw) each.

http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/helicopter/z10.asp

looks kinda like Blue Thunder

Originally Posted by AussieNick

Any specs?
Does it actually exist in combat ready form?

Looks like the one made by South Africans

http://www.army-technology.com/projects/rooivalk/

So I guess they copied something else.... They did so with the MiG Fighter, AK Series Rifle, and just about everything else.

Originally Posted by phoenix80

Looks like the one made by South Africans

http://www.army-technology.com/projects/rooivalk/

which looks like the mangusta, which looks like the eurocopter tiger


Mangusta


eurocopter tiger


Rooivalk

Originally Posted by 5.56X45mm

So I guess they copied something else.... They did so with the MiG Fighter, AK Series Rifle, and just about everything else.

more like parallel design, as i said above....all those attack helo's are designed to do the same job, in the same parameters....no wonder they look alike

Originally Posted by 5.56X45mm

So I guess they copied something else.... They did so with the MiG Fighter, AK Series Rifle, and just about everything else.

Chinese copy every thing

Originally Posted by phoenix80

Chinese copy every thing

MOD EDT:

OKAY LETS STAY ON TOPIC PLEASE

WZ... so is this called the "Whizzer"?