Z-20 utility/transport, naval helicopter & Z-21 heavy attack helicopter - News and Discussions

[Fatman17]

Could any of the moderators or administrators please merge the multiple threads about the Z-20 series helicopters into a single thread?

The latest photos of the Z-21.
View attachment 161306

Any links?

 

[Michael]

Any links?

Previously, information regarding the Z-20 series helicopters (including the Z-21 attack helicopter) was scattered across multiple threads.

Maybe.

You could rename this thread to "Z-20 Series Helicopter News & Discussions" and make it a sticky thread.

==============================================

Official new images:
The pilots of the officially commissioned Z-20T helicopter wear "fly helmets."

 

[Fatman17]

Previously, information regarding the Z-20 series helicopters (including the Z-21 attack helicopter) was scattered across multiple threads.

Maybe.

You could rename this thread to "Z-20 Series Helicopter News & Discussions" and make it a sticky thread.

==============================================

Official new images:
The pilots of the officially commissioned Z-20T helicopter wear "fly helmets."
View attachment 161330

Okay

 

[chinasun]

​

China's Z-21 Heavy Attack Helicopter, The Rival Of The AH-64 Apache​

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Wz-21 Heavy Attack Helicopter – “Hexagon” Snapshot
- 10 t class, 6.5 t empty, derived from Z-20, 1 500 km ferry range / 600-700 km combat radius; covers Taiwan Strait, South China Sea and Tibetan Plateau.
- Firepower: 23 mm chin gun + 16 × 130 km-range ATGMs + 70 mm guided rockets / TY-90 AAM; one salvo kills a tank company.
- Sensors: mast-mounted AESA, 100 km detection, 32 targets tracked simultaneously; 5× “Longbow” performance.
- Mobility: twin up-rated WZ-10 turboshafts, 1 780 kW at 5 000 m, top speed 400 km/h; IR & acoustic signatures cut by 30-40 %.
- Protection: Ti-alloy/carbon-fiber armor vs. 23 mm fragments; RWR, LWR, MAWS, active jammer—MANPADS lock-on probability halved.
- Tactics: 200 km UAV swarm command, destroys air-defense from stand-off, cuts exposure time by 80 %.

 

[Michael]

​

China's Z-21 Heavy Attack Helicopter, The Rival Of The AH-64 Apache​

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Wz-21 Heavy Attack Helicopter – “Hexagon” Snapshot
- 10 t class, 6.5 t empty, derived from Z-20, 1 500 km ferry range / 600-700 km combat radius; covers Taiwan Strait, South China Sea and Tibetan Plateau.
- Firepower: 23 mm chin gun + 16 × 130 km-range ATGMs + 70 mm guided rockets / TY-90 AAM; one salvo kills a tank company.
- Sensors: mast-mounted AESA, 100 km detection, 32 targets tracked simultaneously; 5× “Longbow” performance.
- Mobility: twin up-rated WZ-10 turboshafts, 1 780 kW at 5 000 m, top speed 400 km/h; IR & acoustic signatures cut by 30-40 %.
- Protection: Ti-alloy/carbon-fiber armor vs. 23 mm fragments; RWR, LWR, MAWS, active jammer—MANPADS lock-on probability halved.
- Tactics: 200 km UAV swarm command, destroys air-defense from stand-off, cuts exposure time by 80 %.

Guys,

The Z-21 is currently still in the testing phase. We don't even have a high-definition photo of it yet.
Therefore, it's pointless to discuss its performance data at this time.

 

[Zarvan]

My prediction is eventually these or Turkish ones will be part of Pakistani Armed Forces. Not this one specifically but military transport helicopters in general will come from mainly two of these resources.

 

[Deino]

IMO one of the best Images of the Z-21 so far.

 

[Aziqbal]

AI enhanced using ChatGPT

 

[Deino]

AI enhanced using ChatGPT

View attachment 162673

Wie? Chat indeed improves images already that much?

 

[Michael]

IMO one of the best Images of the Z-21 so far.

View attachment 162667

There's a strange problem.

Logically, attack helicopters should be the main weapon system of the army's aviation corps. Only special units of the air force and navy would be equipped with attack helicopters.
Therefore, the development of attack helicopters should be a project under the army system, and only later extended to the special units of the air force and navy.

However, this Z-21 attack helicopter, currently under development and testing, uses the PLAAF's tactical numbering system.

 

[Deino]

There's a strange problem.

Logically, attack helicopters should be the main weapon system of the army's aviation corps. Only special units of the air force and navy would be equipped with attack helicopters.
Therefore, the development of attack helicopters should be a project under the army system, and only later extended to the special units of the air force and navy.

However, this Z-21 attack helicopter, currently under development and testing, uses the PLAAF's tactical numbering system.

I think this is only a coincidence that they seem to use the same system like the PLAAF Airborne forces Z-20KT (6x2x) and in fact they follow the typical numbering system for prototypes: namely no. 62TP with T standing for type or variant and P for individual prototype.

Z-20J as the first major variant with 621X: at least 4 prototypes are known (6211, 6212, 6213, 6215)

Z-20F as the second major variant with 622X: also at least 4 prototypes (6221, 6222, 6223, 6225)

Z-21 as the third major variant with 623X: 6231 (unconfirmed), 6232, 6233

However since the original Army Z-20 use a simpler system based on 63P (with so far at least likely 5 prototypes built (631 unconfirmed), 632, 633, 635, 636) it could indeed be that the Z-21 is more a naval project,

 

[Michael]

I think this is only a coincidence that they seem to use the same system like the PLAAF Airborne forces Z-20KT (6x2x) and in fact they follow the typical numbering system for prototypes: namely no. 62TP with T standing for type or variant and P for individual prototype.
Z-20J as the first major variant with 621X: at least 4 prototypes are known (6211, 6212, 6213, 6215)
Z-20F as the second major variant with 622X: also at least 4 prototypes (6221, 6222, 6223, 6225)
Z-21 as the third major variant with 623X: 6231 (unconfirmed), 6232, 6233

I haven't studied these numbering systems in much detail. I'm just curious.

it could indeed be that the Z-21 is more a naval project,

Analyzing the external factors, the PLA Navy indeed has a more urgent need for it than other branches of the military. The Type 075/076 LHDs have been long awaited.
But.
Based on the photos that have been released so far, this view is not valid. It lacks many of the distinctive features of a naval helicopter.

 

[Deino]

I haven't studied these numbering systems in much detail. I'm just curious.

Analyzing the external factors, the PLA Navy indeed has a more urgent need for it than other branches of the military. The Type 075/076 LHDs have been long awaited.
But.
Based on the photos that have been released so far, this view is not valid. It lacks many of the distinctive features of a naval helicopter.

I agree, so far it all looks like a regular heavy attack helicopter for the Army, but this numbering "coincidence" is just strange. If it would be a separate new type, then a serial number like 631x would be more logical.

So we need to wait for more information

 

[cir]

AI enhanced using ChatGPT

View attachment 162673

Z-21 features an integrated UAS bay that allows for in-flight launch and recovery of drones.

 

[Yommie]

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