We spoke to Ron Smith, former Head of Future Projects at Westland Helicopters to get his first thoughts.

Revealed this week on Chinese social media was a new Chinese attack helicopter. We spoke to Ron Smith, former Head of Future Projects at Westland Helicopters to get his first thoughts.

“It’s a development of the Z-20, which is very much a Black Hawk clone. It has a five-blade rotor and a slim fuselage with tandem cockpits – presumably as AH-64, with the gunner in the front seat and the pilot to the rear…with rather restricted view – which may be complemented by helmet-mounted display, which may access distributed camera systems to provide synthetic ‘through the skin’ vision. There are large laterally disposed panniers, presumably for a significant volume of mission system avionics. The overall appearance is that of a Black Hawk crossed with the US AH-64 and Russian Mil Mi-28. There appears to be a TADS (Target Acquisition and Designation Sights) and PNVS (Pilot Night Vision System) – style sensor pack under the nose and presumably provision for a forward-mounted cannon for area suppression. There may be provision for a mast-mounted sensor for target acquisition, dependent on weapon guidance technology. There would appear to be upward exhausting infra-red Suppression. Other protuberances suggest High Frequency radio, defensive aids (one might expect missile launch detection / approach warning, presumably with a capability to trigger appropriate countermeasures. One would also expect navigation aids and a comprehensive comms fit. Dependent upon doctrine, there may be provision of data links / satcom for coordination with land vehicles, other helicopters and command infrastructure – particularly if third party target designation forms part of the operational tactics. In the modern world, one might speculate about the capability to interact with and potentially provide for command and control of unmanned air systems. Presumably, the aircraft is designed for operation across a wide range of environmental conditions. Measures to reduce detectable signatures are not particularly evident, other than with respect to the IR suppression treatment. The extra blade area might allow a reduced tip speed operation to minimise acoustic signature. The lack of a stepped canopy is evident. This could minimise the weight of protective armour, whether metallic or transparent. This does suggest synthetic measures to provide all-round situation awareness for the crew / rear seat occupant. The wing appears to have inboard heavy weapon stations, presumably for long-range anti-armour weapons or external fuel carriage, when required. The outboard stations could carry lighter missiles for anti-air use, or rockets, or electronic warfare systems. It would be interesting to understand the PLAAF doctrine for the use of helicopters in support of ground forces in both offensive and defensive operations. The size of the helicopter suggests classic anti-armour operations in natural terrain (using terrain screening) rather than urban operations. Other possible roles could be as an escort to troop-carrying helicopters and operations against enemy command centres and logistic nodes.”

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So it is to the Z-20 what a Huey Cobra is to a Huey?

“Yes – a slimmed-down fuselage will save some weight, but think AH-1Z, rather than AH-1G. Issues that one can’t easily speculate about include internal fuel capacity, ammunition capacity for cannon (heavy stuff), and if it is driven by a ‘hot and high capability’. Something to consider is what the engine rating and transmission rating structure look like.”