Harbin Z-20

Planes > Choppers

The Harbin Z-20 is a Chinese medium-lift utility helicopter produced by the Harbin Aircraft Industry Group (HAIG). It was first flown on 23 December 2013 and has a maximum takeoff weight in the range of 10 tonnes (22,000 lb).

The Z-20 can operate from locations above 4,000 m (13,000 ft) in altitude as well as from the Liaoning aircraft carrier.

It is regarded to be comparable in performance to the US-made Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, of which the civilian Sikorsky S-70C-2 variant has been used by the People's Liberation Army since 1984.

The helicopter uses fly-by-wire controls and a five-bladed main rotor; the Black Hawk has four blades. The tail-to-fuselage joint frame is more angular than the Black Hawk's, for greater lift, cabin capacity, and endurance. The fairings behind the engine exhausts and on the spine are likely for satellite communications or the BeiDou satellite navigation system. The Z-20 carries multiple defensive countermeasures, including radar warning receivers (RWR) and missile approach warning system (MAWS), and four chaff and flare launchers mounted for 360-degree coverage.

The Z-20 is believed to be powered by the domestic WZ-10 turboshaft engine providing 1,600 kW (2,100 shp) of power, significantly improved from the engines on the S-70-C2 and is slightly more powerful than the latest iteration of the Black Hawk engine, the GE T700-701D. The Z-20 also incorporates new technologies that reduce weight and improve lift as well as cutting edge de-icing tech on the rotor-blades. These features enable it to conduct operations at altitudes above 4,000 m (13,200 ft).

General characteristics

Crew: 2
Capacity: 12-15 passengers, 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) of cargo internally, 4,000 kg (8,800 lb) of cargo externally
Length: 20 m (65 ft 7 in)
Height: 5.3 m (17 ft 5 in)
Empty weight: 5,000 kg (11,023 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 10,000 kg (22,046 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × WZ-10 turboshaft engines, 1,600–2,000 kW (2,100–2,700 hp) each
Main rotor diameter: × 16 m (52 ft 6 in)

Performance

Maximum speed: 360 km/h (220 mph, 190 kn)
Cruise speed: 290 km/h (180 mph, 160 kn)
Combat range: 560 km (350 mi, 300 nmi)
Service ceiling: 6,000 m (20,000 ft) (approx.)
Rate of climb: 7.1 m/s (1,400 ft/min)

Armament

Guns: Provision for machine guns and autocannons
Hardpoints: 4 hardpoints on two stub wings , with provisions to carry combinations of:
- Rockets:
  - Various rocket pods
- Missiles:
  - AKD-9 laser-guided air-to-surface missile
  - AKD-10 laser-guided air-to-surface missile
  - CM-502KG or CM-502V NLOS air-to-surface missile
  - CM-501GA NLOS air-to-surface missile
  - CM-501XA loitering munition
  - TY-90 air-to-air missile

Avionics
EO/IR sensors