Harbin Z-19

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harbin_Z-19

The Harbin Z-19, also called WZ-19, is a Chinese reconnaissance/attack
helicopter developed by Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation (HAMC) for the
People's Liberation Army Air Force and the Ground Force Air Force. It is a
specialized combat variant of the Harbin Z-9 which is a licence built version of
the Eurocopter Dauphin.

The Z-19 is an updated modified version of the Harbin Z-9W (similar to the
development of the Bell AH-1 Cobra from the UH-1). It is a twin-seat tandem
helicopter using mechanical components derived from the Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin
series, as the Z-9 series are licence-built versions of the Dauphin.

The Z-19 features a fenestron tail, reducing the noise level and therefore
allowing it to achieve some level of acoustic stealthiness. The exhausts have
also been designed to reduce the infrared signature. The helicopter is equipped
with a millimeter wave fire control radar. Unlike most other attack helicopters,
it lacks a nose-mounted machine gun or autocannon.

The Z-19 also features armor plating, crash-resistant seats, and a turret with
FLIR, TV, and laser rangefinder. It is also equipped with advanced helmet
mounted sight (HMS), which looks different from that of the CAIC WZ-10.

The general designer of the WZ-19 was Wu Ximing (???) of the 602nd Research
Institute, one of the Chinese top scientists involved in the 863 Program, after
graduating from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics in 1984. Wu
had earlier participated in the designs of the armed version of the transport
helicopters Z-8A, Z-11 and WZ-9. He also participated in the development and
flight testing of another Chinese attack helicopter, the CAIC WZ-10. At the 9th
Zhuhai Airshow held in November 2012, Aviation Industry Corporation of China
formally announced the official names of the WZ-10 and WZ-19 at a televised news
release conference, with both attack helicopters named after fictional
characters in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of
Chinese literature. WZ-10 is named as Fiery Thunderbolt (Pili Huo, ???), the
nickname of Qin Ming, while WZ-19 is named as Black Whirlwind (Hei Xuanfeng,
???), the nickname of Li Kui.


Role
Reconnaissance and attack helicopter

Manufacturer
Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation

First flight
2011

Introduction
2012

Status
In service

Primary user
People's Liberation Army Air Force

Produced
2011-Present

Number built
186+

Developed from
Harbin Z-9W

Harbin is developing the Z-19, which is expected to function and support with a
heavier attack helicopter, the CAIC WZ-10, in the near future. Export variants
will be designated WZ-19 (Wuzhuang Zhíshengji, ????? - attack helicopter), but
aircraft used in China will be designated Z-19 as WZ is used by the PLAAF for
UAVs (WZ - Wúrén Zhenchá, ???? (Unmanned Reconnaissance)).

Specifications (Z-19)

General characteristics
Crew: Two, pilot and observer
Length: 12 m (39 ft 4 in)
Height: 4.01 m (13 ft 2 in)
Empty weight: 2,350 kg (5,181 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 4,250 kg (9,370 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × WZ-8C turboshafts, 700 kW (940 hp) each
Main rotor diameter: 11.93 m (39 ft 2 in)
Main rotor area: 111.79 m2 (1,203.3 sq ft)

Performance
Maximum speed: 280 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn)
Cruise speed: 245 km/h (152 mph, 132 kn)
Range: 700 km (430 mi, 380 nmi)
Endurance: 4 hours
Service ceiling: 6,000 m (19,685 ft)
Rate of climb: 9 m/s (1,800 ft/min)

Armament

2 pylons for rockets, gun pods, 8x HJ-8 or other
anti-tank/air-to-surface/anti-ship missiles, 8x TY-90 air-to-air missiles.




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