Harbin Z-20

The Harbin Z-20 is a medium-lift utility helicopter produced by the Harbin Aircraft Industry Group (HAIG), first flight on 23 December 2013.[2] it has a maximum takeoff weight in the range of 10 tonnes (22,000 lb),[3] can operate at locations up to 4,000 m (13,000 ft) altitude,[4] as well as from the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning.[5] It is thought to be comparable to the US-made Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, the civilian Sikorsky S-70C-2 variant of which 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 for operations in the mountainous west region since the 1980s. Initially they acquired in 1984 24 Sikorsky S-70C-2s with enhanced General Electric T700-701A engines, which gave unmatched performance even in comparison to the Mi-17V5 purchased later. These 24 Sikorsky S-70C-2 helicopters were civilian version of the military UH-60 Blackhawk, although they went straight into People’s Liberation Army service. China probably could have purchased more Blackhawks but the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre started an arms embargo. Development of the so-called "10-tonne helicopter project" started in 2006, and the Z-20 made its first flight on 23 December 2013.[7]

After the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, helicopter production in China received a massive boost as politicians saw the helicopter's value in humanitarian missions.

In addition to the PLAAF, the Z-20 will likely find service throughout the People's Liberation Army. For the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), it could fill the role of a multi-role naval helicopter small enough to be interoperable across all PLAN vessels while still being able to have a full suite of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities installed, something the current Ka-28 and Changhe Z-8/Changhe Z-18 cannot do.[7]

Design

Some sources suggest that the Z-20 is a copy of the Black Hawk[8] because the Peoples Liberation Army Air force had bought 24 Sikorsky S-70-C2 which the Blackhawk is based on and link the design 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.[9] The sources say that Pakistan allowed Chinese officials to examine the Black Hawk wreckage.[10] However, Aviation Week also points out that although some aspects of the design do appear similar, such as the tail wheel arrangement, there are also marked differences. For example, the Chinese Z-20 has a five blade rotor compared with the Black Hawks' four blades. Blackhawk helicopter design is around 40 years old, so a lot of information is available and China may have decided is better improving an existing known design that fits PLA operational requirements than assuming development risks. China has also used existing designs with its Z-8 and Z-9 helicopters. [3]

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 and more angular tail-to-fuselage joint frame, giving it greater lift, cabin capacity, and endurance than the Black Hawk, as well as a fly-by-wire design. It also has 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. The Z-20 is believed to be powered by the domestic WZ-10 turboshaft engine providing 1,600 kW (about 2,145 shp), compared to the latest GE T700-701D engine that produces 1,500 kW (about 2,011 shp). Having a less powerful engine than the UH-60 is offset by using 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). It is not clear how much damage in combat can the helicopter tolerate or how will the helicopter perform in real operations when compared with UH-60. Z-20 has been given the nickname "Copyhawk" by some western analysts.[7]

Operators

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".
  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. China Has High Hopes For Z-20 Helicopter. Aviation International News. 22 November 2017.
  8. Chris Luo (24 December 2013). "China's new 'Black Hawk' helicopter takes maiden flight". SCMP. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  9. David Cenciotti (3 September 2013). "Mysterious Chinese Helicopter Emerges That Resembles The One Used In Bin Laden Raid". Business Insider. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  10. Zachary Keck (26 December 2013). "Did China Just Clone a Black Hawk Helicopter". The Diplomat. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
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