WZ-10
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The WZ-10 (Wuzhuang Zhisheng-10) is an attack helicopter produced by the People's Republic of China. It is designed primarily for anti-tank missions, but is thought to have a secondary air-to-air capability as well. Although it is known that the WZ-10 is a third-generation design, estimates for its capabilities are subject to some debate. Some consider it to be inferior to contemporary western designs, such as the AH-64. Other sources place the WZ-10 in the same class as the Eurocopter Tiger and other "high-end" attack helicopters.
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[edit] History
Very little is known about the development history of the WZ-10, the project having been kept under tight security. However, the program may have begun in the mid to late 1990's to replace the WZ-9 aircraft currently in service with the People's Liberation Army.
[edit] Design
A recent photo published on the internet allows some general observations about the WZ-10 design. The WZ-10 appears to have a conventional attack helicopter layout, with the pilot and weapons system officer (WSO) seated in tandem, stepped cockpits. A five-bladed main rotor is utilized, in addition to a four-blade tail rotor. Two engines are podded to the aircraft just to the rear of the cockpit. Built-in armament consists of a cannon installed in the chin of the aircraft (likely to be of 30mm calibre) and two stub wings provide attachment points for external ordinance.
It is assumed that the WZ-10 has a fly-by-wire control system, and a fully modern "glass" cockpit with MFD screens. A sensor suite is located in the nose of the aircraft, probably consisting of television and forward looking infrared (FLIR) sensors, as well as a laser rangefinder (similar to the AH-64). A full complement of ECM systems is likely present as well.
The aforementioned stub wings have one or two hardpoints, making for a possible total of two or four. Anti-tank missiles are probably carried in groups of four, and may be of the HJ-9 type (comparable to the US TOW missile). It has been suggested also that the new HJ-10 missiles could also be carried. This would significantly improve the WZ-10's anti-tank capability, as the HJ-10 is thought to be similar to the US Hellfire ATM. A rudimentary anti-air capability is possibly present with the TY-90 AAM, a small missile intended for use against helicopters and slow-moving fixed-wing aircraft.
[edit] Popular culture
The WZ-10 is featured in the PC game Battlefield 2, associated with the Chinese faction.
[edit] Estimated specifications (WZ-10)
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: m (ft)
- Rotor diameter: m (ft)
- Height: m (ft)
- Disc area: m² (ft²)
- Empty weight: kg (lb)
- Loaded weight: kg (lb)
- Max takeoff weight: kg (lb)
- Powerplant: 2× turboshafts, () each
Performance
- Maximum speed: over 260 km/h
- Range: over 400 km (internal fuel)? ()
- Service ceiling: m (ft)
- Rate of climb: m/s (ft/min)
- Disc loading: kg/m² (lb/ft²)
[edit] Resources
[edit] Related content
Comparable aircraft
Eurocopter Tiger - Rooivalk - Mil Mi-28 - Agusta A129 Mangusta
Designation sequence
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