Harbin Z-20
Summary
| Category | Military Helicopters |
| Origin country | 🇨🇳 China |
| Manufacturer | Harbin |
| First flight | 23 December 2013 |
| Year introduced | 2019 |
| Number produced | 230 units |
Technical specifications
| Version: Z-20 | |
|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
| Operational range | 560 km (348 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 360 km/h (224 mph) |
| Wingspan | 16 m (52.5 ft) |
| Height | 5.3 m (17.4 ft) |
| Length | 20 m (65.6 ft) |
| Service ceiling | 6,000 m (19,685 ft) |
| Empty weight | 5,000 kg (11,023 lbs) |
| Max. takeoff weight | 10,000 kg (22,046 lbs) |
| Climb rate | 7.1 m/s (23.3 ft/s) |
| Powerplant | 2 x WZ-10 turboshaft delivering 800 kW each |
Current operating countries
All operators
Armament
Missiles payload:
- Air-to-Surface AKD-9
- Air-to-Surface AKD-10
- Air-to-Surface CM-502KG
- Air-to-Surface CM-502V
- Air-to-Surface CM-501GA
- Air-to-Surface CM-501XA
- Air-to-Air Short-Range TY-90
- Anti-Ship YJ-9
Bombs payload:
- Rocket Pod Various rocket pods
Description
The Harbin Z-20 is a medium-lift utility helicopter produced by the Harbin Aircraft Industry Group (HAIG). Development began under a 10-tonne helicopter project in 2006 to meet a People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) requirement for a high-altitude utility helicopter. This requirement followed China's inability to purchase additional Sikorsky S-70C-2 aircraft due to the arms embargo enacted after the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. The Z-20 completed its first flight on 23 December 2013. Production was accelerated following the 2008 Sichuan earthquakes, which emphasized the utility of helicopters in humanitarian operations.
Based on the S-70/UH-60 Black Hawk design, the Z-20 incorporates fly-by-wire controls and a five-bladed main rotor. The angular tail-to-fuselage joint frame increases cabin capacity, lift, and endurance. Power is provided by two WZ-10 turboshaft engines, each rated at 1,600 kW (2,100 shp) with an emergency thrust of 2,000 kW (2,700 shp). The rotor blades feature de-icing technology, permitting operation at altitudes above 4,000 m (13,000 ft). Avionics and sensors include fairings for satellite communications or BeiDou navigation, electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, radar warning receivers, a missile approach warning system, and four chaff and flare launchers. The aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of 10,000 kg, carrying up to 15 passengers, 1,500 kg of internal cargo, or 4,000 kg of external cargo.
For armed operations, the Z-20 utilizes four hardpoints on two stub wings. Armament options include machine guns, autocannons, rocket pods, AKD-9 and AKD-10 laser-guided air-to-surface missiles, CM-502KG, CM-502V, or CM-501GA non-line-of-sight (NLOS) missiles, CM-501XA loitering munitions, TY-90 air-to-air missiles, and YJ-9 anti-ship missiles.
The Z-20 operates from the Liaoning aircraft carrier and high-altitude regions. PLA Ground Force Aviation operates 150 Z-20 and 40 Z-20T units, while the PLA Air Force operates over 30 Z-20S and six Z-20K units. The PLA Naval Air Force operates at least two Z-20F and two Z-20J units. Additional operators include the People's Armed Police and the China Coast Guard.
Main Variants
- Z-20: Base transport variant used by the PLA Army.
- Z-20T: Armed assault variant featuring stub wings with two hardpoints each for weapons and targeting sensors.
- Z-20S: Search and rescue variant equipped with FLIR, a searchlight, a cabin hoist, and medical equipment.
- Z-20F: Naval anti-submarine warfare variant equipped with under-nose surface radar, torpedo pylons, and a dipping sonar.
- Z-21: Dedicated attack helicopter based on the Z-20 airframe, featuring a tandem cockpit, a 23 mm autocannon, and six wing hardpoints.