What's new

Z-20 Utility Helicopter News & Discussions

Even more I would be interested in its current status ?? We are now 3 years after the maiden flight, so there's surely some more testing (OPEVAL) to be done ... and then, if a naval version is also in the making ?

Deino
 
It's very ironic that CAC (which used to produce light to medium single engine fighter)beat SAC(good at producing heavy dual engine fighter) by developing J20 in Chinese 5th gen fighter bidding. SAC need to work harder, at least come up with some innovation in fighter jet design. They can't rely on Su27 series forever.

Now CAC J10D is incoming as rumor spread, SAC put its own life on a line.
 
It's very ironic that CAC (which used to produce light to medium single engine fighter)beat SAC(good at producing heavy dual engine fighter) by developing J20 in Chinese 5th gen fighter bidding. SAC need to work harder, at least come up with some innovation in fighter jet design. They can't rely on Su27 series forever.

Now CAC J10D is incoming as rumor spread, SAC put its own life on a line.


Indeed ironic like You said and for me - like I just wrote for the upcoming "Eye on the East" report in the next Combat Aircraft - SAC needs to be successful with the FC-31 since otherwise it will lose its capabilities to stay in China in the fighter business. Like You said; the Flankers won't last forever and either the FC-31 will succeed or they have to heavily invest into another project.

By the way, the Z-10-thread is wrong; where should I move it to ?

Deino
 
if youd on't see the irony in it... then you are a lost cause

Lol.
It seems that I am not the very person to take the fancy causes. Good for you.

Does the utility heli include attack function? I heard it's a transport helicopter.
Yeah bro. The limitedd attack role depend on it's configerations.
There do have professtional attack helis, WZ-10 WZ-19 for example.
 
Looking good. Still whenever I see it, I always think of the wasted opportunity not to design ramp door on it like the NH90 or Mi-17. That way it looks a more different than the blackhawk and provides quicker means of entrance/exit off the chopper.
 
Looking good. Still whenever I see it, I always think of the wasted opportunity not to design ramp door on it like the NH90 or Mi-17. That way it looks a more different than the blackhawk and provides quicker means of entrance/exit off the chopper.

A Chinese commentator described why Blackhawk style was chosen compare to NH90 or Mi-17, because Z-20 meant to be transported within Y-8 body or Y-20 for rapid and long distance deployment same as what American did with its Blackhawks, design with ramp door mean it has to make Z-20 taller and can be difficult to squeeze inside the medium body transport.

UH-60_Black_Hawk_being_offloaded_from_a_C-5_Galaxy_in_Honduras.jpg
 
Last edited:
A Chinese commentator described why Blackhawk style was chosen compare to NH90 or Mi-17, because Z-20 meant to be transported within Y-8 body or Y-20 for rapid and long distance deployment same as what American did with its Blackhawks, design with ramp door mean it has to make Z-20 taller and can be difficult to squeeze inside the medium body transport.

This unlikely,
1) Z-20 can't carry by Y8 or Y9 due to Y8 or Y9 center of cargo area have extra super-structure for wings make space smaller so Z-20 can't slot in. however Y-20 is no issue carry Z-20.
2) China have S-70 so they have "sample" to make Z-20 and no mistake to re-engineering it.
3) China Army so satisfied with S-70 performance and reliability, so no wrong continue with design.
4) Z-20 is China Army project so follow Blackhawks is logical direction.
4) US military asset is China military bigger fans.
5) China no experience in NH90 and too advance technologies in NH90 is make china too hard to design and take longtime to RnD.
 
By the way ... any news recently ???
very low profile project, not many news reported...
i believe Z-20 in Low Rate Initial Production LRIP to make some unit for Army aviation try out and getting feedback。
 
very low profile project, not many news reported...
i believe Z-20 in Low Rate Initial Production LRIP to make some unit for Army aviation try out and getting feedback。
I like it being less fanfare.
 
This unlikely,
1) Z-20 can't carry by Y8 or Y9 due to Y8 or Y9 center of cargo area have extra super-structure for wings make space smaller so Z-20 can't slot in. however Y-20 is no issue carry Z-20.
2) China have S-70 so they have "sample" to make Z-20 and no mistake to re-engineering it.
3) China Army so satisfied with S-70 performance and reliability, so no wrong continue with design.
4) Z-20 is China Army project so follow Blackhawks is logical direction.
4) US military asset is China military bigger fans.
5) China no experience in NH90 and too advance technologies in NH90 is make china too hard to design and take longtime to RnD.

Actually, Y8 had been used to transport a PLAN Army aviation S-70 to Tibetan Highland, so Y9 should have no problem to transport Z20.

Another reason why not choosing NH90 weight class helicopter is that Z20 is more suitable for current and future (those already on drawing board) destroyers and frigates' hangars.

y8_04large.jpg
 
Actually, Y8 had been used to transport a PLAN Army aviation S-70 to Tibetan Highland, so Y9 should have no problem to transport Z20.
Another reason why not choosing NH90 weight class helicopter is that Z20 is more suitable for current and future (those already on drawing board) destroyers and frigates' hangars.

Well in image is Y-8A specific custom version made to transport S-70, it modify cargo area and some structure, also S-70 need remove rotor mask and rod first. if not wrong only 2 unit Y-8A have built in 1986 to transport PLAN Army S-70. and other Y8-Y9 version is not capable. i believe S-70/Y-8A will retire together (already 30 years +) after Z-20 enter operation and Y-20 will use to transport Z-20 nationwide.

Well Z-20 is PLAN Army project, it never consider navy operation. also currently PLAN navy frigate/Destroyer flight deck too small and Helicopter Landing Grid position make Z-20 difficult and danger to perform takeoff/landing in high sea state. low sea state should be find to landing. but eventually Z-20 need some modification/some design change to become navy version, like blockhawk to seahawk take about 5 years. for ship, like type 054/052 need add extra hull (extend flight deck space) about 3 meter at stern to provide enough safety for Z-20 operation.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom