Z-21 (?) - New Chinese Heavy Attack Helicopter

Common dynamic components with the Z-20 alone will likely see this platform supersede the other attack helicopters in the Chinese inventory. Heavier payload and probable better endurance will also make it a front runner.

Given the rest of the high-tech nations race for greater speed, range, and endurance, it would not surprise me if this were the last traditional combat helicopter for China.
 
yasotay said:
Given the rest of the high-tech nations race for greater speed, range, and endurance, it would not surprise me if this were the last traditional combat helicopter for China.
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I'd actually expect them to try for a compound helicopter, Cheyenne style, before trying for a tilt-rotor.
 
I would not see China going for a tilt-rotor yet Scott Kenny, look at how long it took the US with the V-22 program and all the accidents between the initial design and eventual in service. I would think that the next thing that China would try is a Cheyenne style compound helicopter that would be a much more likely less risky option to take.
 
Given China's ability to acquire technology, and their fast growing technology sector, I would not be surprised to find the Chinese rotorcraft community already working on both types. Given their national aspirations, long range VTOL would seem an imperative.

That said, I agree that the next step would most likely be a compound rotorcraft, vice a tilt rotor.
 
FighterJock said:
I would not see China going for a tilt-rotor yet Scott Kenny, look at how long it took the US with the V-22 program and all the accidents between the initial design and eventual in service. I would think that the next thing that China would try is a Cheyenne style compound helicopter that would be a much more likely less risky option to take.
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A lot of the issues with the Osprey were due to scaling up an H1/H60 sized fuselage to CH46 size. The XV-15 people happily jumped into and flew wherever it needed to go.

So something roughly 12-16pax should work quite easily for the Chinese to make work.
 
FighterJock said:
I would not see China going for a tilt-rotor yet Scott Kenny, look at how long it took the US with the V-22 program and all the accidents between the initial design and eventual in service. I would think that the next thing that China would try is a Cheyenne style compound helicopter that would be a much more likely less risky option to take.
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To me, the most important point seems to be this:

Under what circumstances would the PLA need a fast helicopter with a light transport aircraft-like range? (that has a big disadvantage of requiring significantly more maintenance)

They're not island hopping all the way from one side of the Pacific to the other, their main threat is literally right next door and that threat's main backers are also within 1000 kilometers of China at the furthest.

From what I can see, this is unknown to most American observers but Chinese helicopters also have some unconventionally long range; they can literally cross the Strait, loiter for a good while, launch their payload and fly back without any refuel (they don't have probes anyway).
 
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My thoughts too SK2, I wonder why they did not assign the Z-21 to Army Aviation? Seems rather strange, where were the Z-20s assigned to?
 
It appears that the Chinese, at least with the prototype, have elected to go with a single air data sensor positions off the port side of the front cockpit. Similar to the AH-1Z. This is a suposition from the protusion of the cover there and the lack of any on the engine deck like that of the AH-64D and E.
 
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SK2 said:
Interesting that they are assigned to PLAAF instead of PLA Army Aviation
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Pardon? Why do you think it is already assigned and then to the PLAAF?

FighterJock said:
My thoughts too SK2, I wonder why they did not assign the Z-21 to Army Aviation? Seems rather strange, where were the Z-20s assigned to?
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It si not assigned yet! It has the typical CFTE serial numbers and here 6233 fits nicely to the second prototype carrying 6232.
Even more the number fits nicely into the typical Z-20/21-testing pattern with the Z-20J prototypes as 621x and the Z-20F prototypes are numbered 622x.

Z-21 6232 - 20240919 - 太湖军I名 +.jpg
 
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Deino said:
Pardon? Why do you think it is already assigned and then to the PLAAF?



It is not assigned yet! It has the typical CFTE serial numbers and here 6233 fits nicely to the second prototype carrying 6232.
Even more the number fits nicely into the typical Z-20/21-testing pattern with the Z-20J prototypes as 621x and the Z-20F prototypes are numbered 622x.
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Sorry my fault, I was looking at it's 4-digit bort number and thought it was assigned to PLAAF already
 
Thanks Deino, I did not know that it would be the PLAN Marine Corp and that it would fly of the LHDs. Makes sense really coming to think about it.
 

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