CAIC Z-10

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAIC_Z-10

The CAIC Z-10 (Chinese: ?-10 for ???), also called WZ-10, is an attack
helicopter developed by the People's Republic of China. It is designed primarily
for anti-tank warfare missions but has secondary air-to-air capability as well.
It was co-designed by Kamov design bureau of Russia under a contract with the
Chinese government. and the 602nd Research Institute under Wu Ximing (???) and
is being built by Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAIC).

Nicknames of characters in the Chinese classic novel Water Margin have been used
to name Z-10 and its smaller counterpart Harbin Z-19: Z-10 is called Fierce
Thunderbolt (Pi Li Huo, ???), the nickname of Qin Ming, while Z-19 is called
Black Whirlwind (Hei Xuan Feng, ???), the nickname of Li Kui.

In September 2016, the PLA announced that all of its ground force aviation units
had been equipped with the WZ-10.

In 1979, the Chinese military studied the problem of countering large armour
formations. It concluded that the best conventional solution was to use attack
helicopters. Eight Aérospatiale Gazelle armed with Euromissile HOT were procured
for evaluation.

By the mid-1980s, the Chinese decided a dedicated attack helicopter was
required. At the time, they used civilian helicopters converted for the
military; these were no longer adequate in the attack role, and suitable only as
scouts. Following this, China evaluated the Agusta A129 Mangusta, and in 1988
secured an agreement with the United States to purchase AH-1 Cobras and a
license to produce BGM-71 TOW missiles; the latter was cancelled following the
Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 and the resulting arms embargo. The colour
revolutions prevented the purchase of attack helicopters from Eastern Europe in
1990 and 1991; Bulgaria and Russia rejected Chinese offers to purchase the Mil
Mi-24.

While attempting to import foreign designs failed, war games determined that
attack helicopters had to be commanded by the army, rather than the air force.
This led to the formation of the People's Liberation Army Ground Force Aircraft
(PLAGFAF), with an initial strength of 9 Harbin Z-9. The PLAGFAF conducted
tactical experiments that would help define the future Z-10's requirements.
Research also decided that anti-tank missiles like the BGM-71 TOW were
inadequate, and favoured an analogue to the AGM-114 Hellfire. These findings
ensured the Z-10 would be based around the new missile.

The Kamov design bureau was contracted to perform the development work under a
secret contract. Kamov worked with the Chinese to establish base specifications,
such as weight, speed and payload capacity after which they had full freedom to
design the helicopter. Kamov designed, tested and verified the helicopter
design, after which it was provided to the Chinese team. Although designed in
Russia the prototype construction, flight testing and further development was
performed by the Chinese.


Role
Attack helicopter

Manufacturer
Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAIC)

Designer
Kamov
602nd Aircraft Design Institute

First flight
29 April 2003

Introduction
December 2012

Status
In service

Primary user
People's Liberation Army Ground Force

Produced
2003-present

Number built
119+

Unit cost

US$ 17 million


Cockpit

The stepped tandem cockpit houses two aviators - the gunner in the back and the
pilot in the front - different from the conventional layout of most attack
helicopters, confirmed by Chinese official news agency's video report. The
flight control of both aviators serves to back each other up, and the pilot, who
is also the team leader of the aircrew, may override the gunner’s commands. The
bottom and sides of the cockpit are protected by composite armor, and so are the
engines and the fuel tank located in the middle of the fuselage.

The canopy of the cockpit is specially treated to prevent glare from the sun,
and, as an additional option, a tanned version is also available for camouflage
purposes, though this is not standard. The bullet-proof glass of the canopy may
be as thick as 38 millimeters, and is able to withstand direct hits from
shrapnel and rounds fired from machine guns up to .50 caliber size.

In June 2012, United States charged United Technologies and two of its
subsidiaries, Pratt & Whitney Canada and Hamilton Sundstrand, of selling engine
control software to China which aided in the development of the CAIC Z-10. While
the Chinese defence ministry denied that China bought or used the software,
Pratt & Whitney Canada and Hamilton Sundstrand agreed to pay more than $75
million to the U.S. government to settle the charges.

Orders

China's Army Ground Forces have ordered of 118 with 106 delivered, and 12 more
to go, as of 2018. The Pakistan Army acquired 3 units for evaluation with a
follow up order for 7 more, but in 2017 they opted for the TAI/AgustaWestland
T129 and plan to manufacture aircraft parts in Pakistan.

Specifications (estimated)

General characteristics
Crew: 2
Length: 14.15 m (ft)
Rotor diameter: 12.0 m (ft)
Height: 3.85 m (ft)
Empty weight: 5,100 kg (11244 lb)
Useful load: 1,500 kg (lb)
Loaded weight: 5,540 kg ~ 6,000 kg (lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 7,000 kg (15432 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × WZ-9 turboshaft, 1000 kw (1350 shp) each

Performance
Maximum speed: 270 km/h
Cruise speed: 230 km/h
Range: 800 km ()
Service ceiling: 6,400 m (ft)
Rate of climb: over 10 m/s (ft/min)

Armament

Guns: 23x115 mm revolver gun or 25*137 mm M242 Bushmaster chain gun.
Hardpoints: 4
Rockets: 57 mm, 90 mm multi-barrel unguided rocket pods
Missiles: ** Up to 16 HJ-10 air to surface / anti tank / anti helicopter
missiles. ADK10 is reported to be the official name of HJ10 missile. Up to 16
HJ-8, HJ-9 missiles
Up to 16 TY-90 air-to-air missiles
Up to 4 PL-5, PL-7, PL-9 air-to-air missiles


Avionics

YH millimetre-wave fire-control radar
Helmet mounted sight with night vision goggles
BM/KG300G self protection jamming pod
Blue Sky navigation pod
KZ900 reconnaissance pod
YH-96 electronic warfare suite




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