Is the Z-19 expected to have an EO/IR mast like the one that was on the Kiowa Warriors?
One Z-19 with a EO/IR mast and another with a MMW radar mast, working in conjunction, could be very potent in locating and confirming targets.
Could be very useful in the mountainous terrain of Taiwan, moving behind mountain ridges. Especially if a PLAN marine landing force moved in from the less populated and probably less defended east coast of Taiwan, and moves over the mountains to do a pincher move, in conjunction with the PLA Navy and PLA army on Taiwan’s west coast.
This would only be a stopgap, a faster more stealthy helicopter like the Bell Invictus 360 would be needed to be survivable in the world modern air defenses.
But in the men time, a mast mounted EO/IR mast could be useful in training marines, and keeping the light scout helicopter niche viable.
Once in the dense cities of Taiwan, a light helicopter would be better suited for the terrain.