Harbin Z-20

The Harbin Z-20 (Chinese: 直-20; official codename Chinese: “神雕”, "Divine Eagle") is a Chinese medium-lift utility helicopter produced by the Harbin Aircraft Industry Group (HAIG). It was first flown on 23 December 2013 and has a maximum takeoff weight in the range of 10 tonnes (22,000 lb).[2][3] The Z-20 can operate from locations above 4,000 m (13,000 ft) in altitude as well as from the Liaoning aircraft carrier.[4][5] It is regarded to be comparable in performance to the US-made Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, of which the civilian Sikorsky S-70C-2 variant has been used by the People's Liberation Army since 1984.[6][7]

Z-20
Z-20 flying at Airshow China 2022
Role Medium lift helicopter
National origin China
Manufacturer Harbin Aircraft Industry Group
First flight 23 December 2013
Introduction 1 October 2019[1]
Status In service, in production[1]
Primary users People's Liberation Army Ground Force
People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force
People's Armed Police

Development

The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has had a requirement for a high-altitude medium utility helicopter that can operate in the mountainous regions in China since the 1980s. In 1984, the PLAAF acquired 24 Sikorsky S-70C-2s with enhanced General Electric T700-701A engines from the US government.[4]

China was unable to purchase more Sikorsky aircraft following the fallout from the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests that resulted in an EU and US arms embargo. This led to the development of an indigenous so-called "10-tonne helicopter project" that started in 2006, and the Z-20 made its first flight on 23 December 2013.[4]

Helicopter production in China received a massive boost after the 2008 Sichuan earthquakes highlighted the value of helicopters in humanitarian missions.[8] In addition to the PLAAF, the Z-20 will likely be used by other services in the People's Liberation Army.[9] It could fill the role of a multi-role naval helicopter for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) that is small enough to be interoperable across all PLAN vessels while still have a full suite of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities installed.[4][10]

The Z-20 has been tested carrying missiles on wing pylons.[11] A stealth Z-20 variant has been indicated under development since 2015.[12] One analyst said China could produce the stealth variant relatively easily because of their access to a modified MH-60 Black Hawk tail section, recovered by Pakistani security forces after a crash during the Bin Laden raid.[13]

Design
Z-20 ground display at Airshow China 2022
Z-20 ground display at Airshow China 2022
Z-20 Helicopter

The Z-20 is based on the 1970s S-70/UH-60 Black Hawk,[3] which China acquired in the 1980s.[4] Pakistan may also have allowed China to examine wreckage from the US special forces Black Hawk abandoned during the assassination of Osama bin Laden on 1 May 2011.[14][15]

The helicopter uses fly-by-wire controls and a five-bladed main rotor; the Black Hawk has four blades. The tail-to-fuselage joint frame is more angular than the Black Hawk's, for greater lift, cabin capacity, and endurance. The fairings behind the engine exhausts and on the spine are likely for satellite communications or the BeiDou satellite navigation system.[16]

The Z-20 is believed to be powered by the domestic WZ-10 turboshaft engine providing 1,700-2,000 shp of power, comparable to the latest iteration of the Black Hawk engine, the GE T700-701D.[17][18] The Z-20 also incorporates new technologies that reduce weight and improve lift as well as cutting edge de-icing tech on the rotor-blades. These features enable it to conduct operations at altitudes above 4,000 m (13,200 ft).[4]

Variants
Z-20
Base transport variant. Can be equipped with up to 8 KD-10 missiles.
Z-20K
Airforce airborne corps variant
Z-20S
Multi-role utility variant. Equipped with FLIR. Can be equipped with up to 8 KD-10 missiles.
Z-20F
Naval ASW variant.[10][19] Equipped with surface radar under nose, pylon for torpedoes, dipping sonar under belly and bubble window for observation.
Z-20W
Armed variant with AKD-9/AKD-10 missiles and targeting sensors.[20]

Operators
 People's Republic of China

Specifications (estimated)
PLAAF Z-20K sling loading Lynx CS/VP11 at Changchun Airshow 2023

Data from Military Today[25]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2 flight crew
  • Capacity: ~2,200 lb (1,000 kg) of cargo internally, including 12–15 troops, and ~8,800 lb (4,000 kg) of cargo externally
  • Length: 65 ft 7 in (20 m) (approx.)
  • Height: 17 ft 5 in (5.3 m) (approx.)
  • Empty weight: 11,023 lb (5,000 kg) (approx.)
  • Max takeoff weight: 22,046 lb (10,000 kg) (approx.)
  • Powerplant: 2 × WZ-10 turboshaft engines, 2,682 shp (2,000 kW) each (maximum)
  • Main rotor diameter: 52 ft 6 in (16 m)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 190 kn (220 mph, 360 km/h)
  • Cruise speed: 160 kn (180 mph, 290 km/h)
  • Range: 300 nmi (350 mi, 560 km)
  • Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,000 m) (approx.)
  • Rate of climb: 1,400 ft/min (7.1 m/s)

Armament

  • Guns: provision for machine guns

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References
  1. "Z-20 helicopter confirmed in Chinese military service - China Military". eng.chinamil.com.cn.
  2. Fei (26 December 2013). "China Develops New Type of Helicopter: DM". CRI English. Archived from the original on December 26, 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  3. Perrett, Bradley (24 December 2013). "Chinese Military Utility Helo Makes First Flight". Aviation Weekly. Archived from the original on 26 December 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  4. "China Has High Hopes For Z-20 Helicopter". 22 November 2017.
  5. Staff Reporter (24 December 2013). "Z-20: China's first domestic tactical utility helicopter". Want China Times. Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  6. Rogoway, Tyler. "Here Is Our Best Look Yet At China's UH-60 Black Hawk Clone The Z-20". The Drive.
  7. Desk, EurAsian Times (November 20, 2020). "Black Hawk Down: Why Chinese Z-20 Helicopters Are On-Course To Surpass American Black Hawk Choppers". Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News.
  8. "Z8 Helicopter production boost from 2008". AirForceWorld.com. Archived from the original on 27 October 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  9. Waldron, Greg. "Harbin Z-20 destined for wide number of roles". Flight Global. Retrieved 2020-07-02.
  10. "ASW-capable variant of Z-20 helo may soon enter PLA Navy service". 11 January 2021.
  11. Rupprecht, Andreas (21 October 2021). "Z-20 prototype seen carrying possible anti-tank guided missiles". Janes. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  12. "China developing new attack helicopter with stealth power". straitstimes. 12 September 2015.
  13. "Stealthy Variant Of China's Z-20 Black Hawk Clone Emerges In Concept Model Form". The Drive. 30 May 2021.
  14. David Cenciotti (3 September 2013). "Mysterious Chinese Helicopter Emerges That Resembles The One Used In Bin Laden Raid". Business Insider. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  15. Zachary Keck (26 December 2013). "Did China Just Clone a Black Hawk Helicopter". The Diplomat. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  16. "China's Z-20 Helicopter Features Home-made Engine, Fly-by-wire". DefenseMirror.com. 10 October 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  17. "Safran and AECC receive certification for the WZ10 turboshaft". www.airmedandrescue.com. 11 October 2019. Retrieved 17 Jul 2022.
  18. "T700-GE-701D Engine Awarded U.S. Army Qualification". www.geaviation.com.com. 4 Nov 2004. Retrieved 17 Jul 2022.
  19. Rogoway, Tyler. "Here Is Our First Clear Look At China's Z-20F Seahawk Helicopter Clone (Updated)". The Drive.
  20. https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/38509/chinas-z-20-black-hawk-clone-is-now-packing-air-to-ground-missiles
  21. "6 Asia". The Military Balance 2023. London: Routledge (For The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)). 15 February 2023. doi:10.4324/9781003400226. ISBN 9781003400226.
  22. Wang, Amber (2022-04-23). "Chinese navy shows off new anti-submarine helicopter". South China Morning Pos t.
  23. The Military Balance 2021. International Institute for Strategic Studies. p. 257. ISBN 978-1-032-27900-8.
  24. Rupprecht, Andreas; Dominguez, Gabriel (25 February 2022). "Possible New Variant of China's Z-20 Helicopter". Mönch Publishing Group. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  25. "Z-20 Medium Transport Helicopter". Retrieved 2 July 2020.
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