Harbin Z-20

The Harbin Z-20 is a 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).[2][3] The Z-20 can operate from locations up to 4,000 m (13,000 ft) in altitude as well as from the Liaoning aircraft carrier.[4][5] It is regarded to be comparable in performance to the US-made Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, which civilian variant Sikorsky S-70C-2 has been used by the People's Liberation Army since 1984.[6]

Harbin Z-20
Role Medium lift helicopter
National origin China
Manufacturer Harbin Aircraft Industry Group
First flight 23 December 2013
Introduction 1 October 2019[1]
Status In service, in production [1]
Primary user People's Liberation Army

Development

The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has had a requirement for a high-altitude medium utility helicopter that can operate in the mountainous regions in China since the 1980s. In 1984, the PLAAF acquired 24 Sikorsky S-70C-2s with enhanced General Electric T700-701A engines, which have more superior performance than the Mi-17V5 that were later purchased. These 24 Sikorsky S-70C-2 helicopters were civilian version of the military UH-60 Black Hawk, but went straight into service with the People’s Liberation Army. China probably could have purchased more Sikorsky if not for the fallout from the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests that resulted in an EU and US arms embargo. This led to the development of an indigenous so-called "10-tonne helicopter project" that started in 2006, and the Z-20 made its first flight on 23 December 2013.[4]

Helicopter production in China received a massive boost after the 2008 Sichuan earthquakes highlighted the value of helicopters in humanitarian missions.[7] In addition to the PLAAF, the Z-20 will likely be used by other services in the People's Liberation Army.[8] It could fill the role of a multi-role naval helicopter for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) that is small enough to be interoperable across all PLAN vessels while still have a full suite of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities installed; something that the current Ka-28 and Changhe Z-8/Changhe Z-18 are incapable of.[4]

Design

Some sources have suggested that the Z-20 is a copy of the Black Hawk and thus have given it the moniker "Copyhawk".[9][10] The speculation arose from the fact that the PLAAF had bought 24 Sikorsky S-70-C2, which the Black Hawk was based on. There were also speculations that linked the design of Z-20 to the Black Hawk that was abandoned by US special forces in Pakistan during the operation to kill Osama bin Laden on 1 May 2011.[11] According to sources, Pakistan had allowed Chinese officials to examine wreckage of the abandoned Black Hawk.[12]

While the Z-20 bears a strong resemblance to the S-70/UH-60 Black Hawk series, there are several key differences including a five-bladed main rotor (as oppose to four on a Black Hawk) and more angular tail-to-fuselage joint frame, giving it greater lift, cabin capacity, and endurance than the Black Hawk. It also has a fly-by-wire design as well as fairings installed aft of the engine exhausts and on the tail spine, which are likely housings for satellite communications or the BeiDou satellite navigation system.[13] Aviation Week points out that China may had decided it was better to improve upon the proven known design of the 1970s S-70/UH-60 Black Hawk that fits PLA operational requirements than to assume developmental risks. This was consistent with the strategy that China used with the development of the Z-8 and Z-9 helicopters.[3]

The Z-20 is believed to be powered by the domestic WZ-10 turboshaft engine providing 1,800 kW (about 2,400 shp), compared to the GE T700-701D engine that produces 1,500 kW (about 2,011 shp) on the S-70/UH-60 Black Hawk.[14] In addition to a more powerful engine than the S-70/UH-60 Black Hawk, the Z-20 incorporates new technologies that reduce weight and improve lift. These features enable it to conduct operations at altitudes up to 4,000 m (13,200 ft).[4]

Operators

Specifications (estimated)

Data from Military Today[14]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2 flight crew
  • Capacity: ~2,200 lb (1,000 kg) of cargo internally, including 12–15 troops, and ~8,800 lb (4,000 kg) of cargo externally
  • Length: 65 ft 7 in (20 m) (approx.)
  • Height: 17 ft 5 in (5.3 m) (approx.)
  • Empty weight: 11,023 lb (5,000 kg) (approx.)
  • Max takeoff weight: 22,046 lb (10,000 kg) (approx.)
  • Powerplant: 2 × WZ-10 or Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-76C turboshaft engines, 2,400 shp (1,800 kW) each (unconfirmed)
  • Main rotor diameter: 52 ft 6 in (16 m)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 190 kn (220 mph, 360 km/h)
  • Cruise speed: 160 kn (180 mph, 290 km/h)
  • Range: 300 nmi (350 mi, 560 km)
  • Service ceiling: 18,000 ft (5,500 m) (approx.)
  • Rate of climb: 1,400 ft/min (7.1 m/s)

Armament

  • Guns: provision for machine guns

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Related lists

  • List of active Chinese military aircraft
  • List of Chinese aircraft
  • List of utility helicopters

References
  1. "Z-20 helicopter confirmed in Chinese military service".
  2. Fei (26 December 2013). "China Develops New Type of Helicopter: DM". CRI English. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  3. Bradley Perrett (24 December 2013). "Chinese Military Utility Helo Makes First Flight". Aviation Weekly. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  4. "China Has High Hopes For Z-20 Helicopter". 22 November 2017.
  5. Staff Reporter (24 December 2013). "Z-20: China's first domestic tactical utility helicopter". Want China Times. Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  6. Global Times (24 December 2013). "First helicopter flight". Global Times. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  7. "Z8 Helicopter production boost from 2008". AirForceWorld.com. Archived from the original on 27 October 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  8. Waldron, Greg. "Harbin Z-20 destined for wide number of roles". Flight Global. Retrieved 2020-07-02.
  9. Kyle Mizokami (7 November 2017). "Meet China's Blackhawk Helicopter, the 'Copyhawk'". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  10. Chris Luo (24 December 2013). "China's new 'Black Hawk' helicopter takes maiden flight". SCMP. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  11. David Cenciotti (3 September 2013). "Mysterious Chinese Helicopter Emerges That Resembles The One Used In Bin Laden Raid". Business Insider. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  12. Zachary Keck (26 December 2013). "Did China Just Clone a Black Hawk Helicopter". The Diplomat. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  13. "China's Z-20 Helicopter Features Home-made Engine, Fly-by-wire". Defense World. 10 October 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  14. "Z-20 Medium Transport Helicopter". Retrieved 2 July 2020.
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