Country of origin |
China |
Entered service |
2017 (?) |
Crew |
2 men |
Dimensions and weight |
Length |
~ 20 m |
Main rotor diameter |
~ 16
m |
Height |
~ 5.3
m |
Weight (empty) |
~ 5 t |
Weight (maximum take off) |
~ 10 t |
Engines and performance |
Engines |
2 x ? |
Engine power |
2 x ? |
Maximum speed |
~ 360 km/h |
Cruising speed |
~ 290 km/h |
Service ceiling |
~ 4 km |
Range |
~ 460 km |
Ferry range |
? |
Payload |
Maximum payload |
~ 1 t internally an ~ 4 t externally |
Passengers |
12 ~ 15 troops |
Armament |
Cannon |
provision for machine guns |
Missiles |
? |
Other |
? |
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A new medium-lift utility helicopter
with unconfirmed designation recently appeared in China. Most
sources suggest that it is Harbin Z-20. It is a copy of the UH-60
Black Hawk. Sometimes this Chinese helicopter is nicknamed the "Copyhawk". This new-generation
utility helicopter has been developed
in China since the late 1990s by AVIC China Helicopter Research and
Development Institute and both China's helicopter manufacturing
plants - Harbin Aircraft Industry Group and Changhe Aircraft
Industries Corporation. However the project was delayed by the
development of high priority
Z-10
attack helicopter. Also there were setbacks due to technical
problems, such as obtaining suitable engines. The project finally
gained full speed in around 2010. A prototype of the Z-20 made its first flight
in 2013. In 2016 this helicopter was still being tested. In 2017 new
images of this helicopter surfaced, sporting the People's Liberation
Army Air Force (PLAAF) roundel. This might indicate that the Z-20
was
already in service. In 2019 it became clear that this helicopter is
produced in quantity. Once available in sufficient numbers the
Z-20 could replace a fleet of Russian
Mi-17
helicopters in service with the PLAAF.
The Z-20 is a copy of the Sikorsky S-70 which is a basic
military utility helicopter of the US Army where it is known as the
UH-60 Black Hawk. The original helicopter is
also in widespread use worldwide. It appeared that Sikorsky licensed
production of this helicopter in China for non-military use. It
seems that China is violating this agreement. Civilian
Sikorsky S-70C-2 helicopters are used by the PLAAF since 1984. A total of 24
Sikorsky helicopters were obtained. Deliveries ceased in 1989 due to
imposed sanctions against China. The Z-20 made its first
flight almost 30 years since China acquired the original Sikorsky
S-70 helicopters.
The Z-20 helicopter
accommodates about 12-15 fully-equipped troops. It has a
payload capacity of around 5 000 kg. It can carry around 1 000 kg
internally and 4 000 kg externally. It can transport various loads,
such as vehicles and artillery pieces underslung externally.
This utility
helicopter can be armed with machine guns and possibly other
weapons, such as anti-tank and air-to-air missiles, or pods with unguided
rockets.
There is a
nose-mounted FLIR/TV turret.
The Z-20
has some minor differences comparing with the Black Hawk. Notably it
has a five-blade
rotor, comparing with the Black Hawk's four-blade. It seems that the
Z-20 uses rotor, engines and some other components of the Z-10
attack helicopter. It is speculated that this machine is powered by
Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-76C turboshaft engines. Also it could be
powered by a WZ-10 turboshafts, developing around 2 400 shp each.
Some sources report that development of new transmission system has
been assisted by Eurocopter.
The basic
utility helicopter can be modified to suit many military roles. Some
sources report that marine version of this helicopter is under
development.
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