What's new

WZ-10 might have Improved Homemade Engine

Cornered Tiger

FULL MEMBER
Joined
Sep 4, 2013
Messages
553
Reaction score
0
Country
Pakistan
Location
Pakistan
According to a recent report from Qiangjiang Evening, China’s homemade helicopter gunship will hopefully have new-type homemade WZ-16 engine, which features more power than currently used WZ-9C engine, of which the power is merely about 1,000kw.

WZ-16 engine is a medium thrust engine jointly developed by AVIC and France, and will be firstly equipped on Z-15/EC175 helicopter made by China and France, which has won over 100 global orders. WZ-16 engine is expected to improve WZ-10 gunship to the same level of Apache attack helicopter.

At present, WZ-10 gunship can only hang 8 antitank guided missiles, compared to 16 of Apache.

According to famous Chinese military expert Song Zhongping, WZ-10’s maneuverability is comparable with foreign counterparts, but its armors are thinner due to limited power of engine, and this could be fatal in battles.

WZ-10 helicopter was expected to use Canada’s PT6C-67B engine with full authority digital electronic control system and 1,250kw power, but was later obstructed by U.S.

It was reported that WZ-10 helicopter also tried Russia’s VK-2500 and Ukraine’s TV3-117, but finally adopted homemade WZ-9C engine, at the expense of compromising performance.

Source:- http://www.china-arms.com/2016/04/wz-10-helicopter-gunship-might-to-have-improved-homemade-engine/
 
According to famous Chinese military expert Song Zhongping, WZ-10’s maneuverability is comparable with foreign counterparts, but its armors are thinner due to limited power of engine, and this could be fatal in battles.

Means now Z-10 would undergo airframe strengthening too? Seems PA has been waiting for this news.
 
Most importantly, a retrofit with an uprated engine would allow the Z-10 to utilize an MMW radar, which would provide it the capability to target enemy assets beyond the horizon and in poor weather conditions. The Z-10 could also then be equipped with exhaust shields to improve its IR signature.
 
If engine issue are resolve than no need to go for more cobras then are already ordered. Better to acquire z 10s and MI 28 NE dual control only
 
  • The WZ16 is a new generation turboshaft engine, jointly developed by AVIC and Turbomeca (a SAFRAN subsidiary) under a 50/50 partnership. Turbomeca named the engine Ardiden 3C. The WZ16 engine is initially intended for installation on AC352 helicopters.

    1_3942842493.jpg

    Features The WZ16 engine is developed from Turbomeca’s Ardiden family of engines, which feature technical characteristics from the 4th generation turboshaft engine. With middle cycle parameters and highly efficient components, it is designed with a dual centrifugal compressor, an annular reverse flow combustion chamber, a single stage gas generator turbine, a 2-stage axial flow power turbine and a dual-channel, full authority digital engine control system (FADEC). Its advantages include a high power/weight ratio, high unit power, low specific fuel consumption, high reliability, excellent maintainability, as well as advanced control and failure diagnosis.

    WZ16’s development is conducted in strict compliance with EASA and CAAC regulations. Advanced technology, material, and manufacturing processes were applied in the development and manufacturing of the WZ16 engine, with the lowest possible full-life cost serving as the guiding principle. The engine’s target TBO (time between overhaul) is 5000 hours and the predicted MTBF (mean time between failure) will be greater than 550 hours. WZ16 engines allow 15% of power growth, and can be installed on 7-8 ton, twin-engine helicopters, as well as 13 ton, three-engine helicopters.


  • Performance parameters
    Takeoff power No less than 1240 kw.
    Maximum continuous power No less than 1100 kw.
    Specific fuel consumption(Under maximum continuous power) No more than 294 g/(kw*hour)
    Baseline engine weight Not exceeding 220 kg.
    Dimension No larger than 1120 X 590 X 615mm
    Power:take-off condition
    Dry mass≤127.6 kg






 
French collaboration in WZ-16 is a good news. Frenches are known to have produced powerful yet reliable engines. Good going China.
 
  • The WZ16 is a new generation turboshaft engine, jointly developed by AVIC and Turbomeca (a SAFRAN subsidiary) under a 50/50 partnership. Turbomeca named the engine Ardiden 3C. The WZ16 engine is initially intended for installation on AC352 helicopters.


    Features The WZ16 engine is developed from Turbomeca’s Ardiden family of engines, which feature technical characteristics from the 4th generation turboshaft engine. With middle cycle parameters and highly efficient components, it is designed with a dual centrifugal compressor, an annular reverse flow combustion chamber, a single stage gas generator turbine, a 2-stage axial flow power turbine and a dual-channel, full authority digital engine control system (FADEC). Its advantages include a high power/weight ratio, high unit power, low specific fuel consumption, high reliability, excellent maintainability, as well as advanced control and failure diagnosis.

    WZ16’s development is conducted in strict compliance with EASA and CAAC regulations. Advanced technology, material, and manufacturing processes were applied in the development and manufacturing of the WZ16 engine, with the lowest possible full-life cost serving as the guiding principle. The engine’s target TBO (time between overhaul) is 5000 hours and the predicted MTBF (mean time between failure) will be greater than 550 hours. WZ16 engines allow 15% of power growth, and can be installed on 7-8 ton, twin-engine helicopters, as well as 13 ton, three-engine helicopters.


  • Performance parameters
    Takeoff power No less than 1240 kw.
    Maximum continuous power No less than 1100 kw.
    Specific fuel consumption(Under maximum continuous power) No more than 294 g/(kw*hour)
    Baseline engine weight Not exceeding 220 kg.
    Dimension No larger than 1120 X 590 X 615mm
    Power:take-off condition
    Dry mass≤127.6 kg



I am not proud of this engine at all. This collaboration is nothing more than a reverse engineering exercise. The real 100% domestic engine is WZ-20, not sure when it will be ready.
 

Back
Top Bottom