WZ-10 Attack Helicopter
The WZ-10 is China's first domestically designed and produced attack helicopter, superficially comparable to Western counterparts such as the American AH-1 Cobra and AH-64 Apache, or the European PAH-2 Tiger. The design features a reduced signature fuselage, such as was incorporated in the abandoned American RAH-66 Commanche. But the WZ-10 must represent something of a disappointment for the Chinese. Although weighing about the same as the AH-64 Apache, it carries only half the armament, comparable to the much smaller AH-1 Cobra. And appearing some four decades after the American Cobra, it represents a retrogression relative to the typical two decade Chinese lag in military hardware compared to the United States.
The primary mission for the treetop hugging WZ-10 is battlefield interdiction, eliminating the enemy ground fixed and mobile forces, and concurrently certain air combat ability. The WZ-10 (Wuzhuang Zhisheng-10) is generally similar to the South African Rooviak and Italian Agusta A129. The PLA Army Aviation long lacked an attack helicopter such as the AH-64 Apache or Mi-28 Havoc. The limited attack helicopter force consisted of 30-40 Z-9Ws and 8 SA-342L Gazelles, along with 60 Mi-17 Hips with unguided rocket launchers.
The helicopter's net empty weight is approximately 5,500 kilograms. The helicopter approximate length is 14 meters, is 3.8 meters high, and is roughly 4.3 meters at its widest point. The main rotary consists of 4 blades made up of a compound material. The diameter of the blades is approximately 12 meters length.
Initially the WZ-10 prototypes were powered by Canadian PT6C-76C engines but the production version are likely to use the WZ-9 engines. At one time the WZ-10 was believed to have two European MTR 390 turboshafts, though this now appears in error. Initially there was speculation that the design used the power plant and transmission derived from the Harbin Z-9, with the fuselage modified to accommodate two pilots. However, over time efforts were made to depict the WZ-10 was the military component of the Chinese Medium Helicopter [CMH], and possibly sharing a common power train with the Z-15 [AC352].
Two wings along the fuselage that are roughly 4.32 meters long may carry 1,500 kilograms of munitions, including a 57.0 mm multibarrel rockets, the Red Arrow anti-tank missile. A 23 mm machine gun is fixed to the cabin at the front of the helicopter. The helicopter can carry up to 8 ATGMs, or IR-guided short-range AAMs.
The Wuzhi-10 cannon is installed in the lower jaw of the nose, and uses the internal magazine for chain-type bombs. Tungsten alloy armor-piercing shells, special (depleted uranium) armor-piercing shells and armor-piercing incendiary shells can be used. The turret and the rotating part adopt a rotating gun mount with an exposed body, with a 180-degree shooting range, which can follow the helmet sight and point flexibly. The helmet sight can be used to quickly adjust the shooting direction and lock the target. Moreover, due to the 23×115mm recoil used by the gun, the launch speed is fast and the accuracy is high. It is very suitable for Wuzhi-10 accompanying escort, airborne assault fire cover, and eliminating low-altitude helicopter threats and land light targets that appear at any time.
Wuzhi-10's powerful cannon has a large background. Its origin can be traced back to the famous ZPU-4 type quadruple 14.5mm anti-aircraft machine gun. The 14.5×115mm shells used by this gun are comparable to Western 20mm shells, so it is extremely powerful. At that time, the Soviet Union wanted to design a low-recoil 23mm cannon for fighters, and it came to mind this ammunition. The researchers replaced the 14.5mm projectile with a 23mm standard projectile, and then modified the shell to develop the 23×115mm projectile that was extremely successful.
In the 1950s, China introduced the HC-23 aircraft gun and supporting ammunition, named 23-1, and equipped it with J-5/6/7 aircraft. Later, they copied the GSh-23 aircraft gun and named it 23-2. For example, the J-8, J-10, "Fierce Dragon" and "Flying Leopard" used this aircraft gun derivative. The characteristics of guns and ammunition are very familiar. Therefore, at the beginning of the development of Wuzhi-10, the researchers first thought of this 23mm gun when demonstrating which aircraft gun should be used.
However, the structure of the original gun was not used, but on its basis, the chain automata structure was used to develop a 23mm chain cannon that is more suitable for helicopters. The chain gun automaton uses an external energy motor to drive the chain to drive the artillery bolt, launch the shell, shell, eject, and feed the shell into the chamber to complete the shooting cycle. It has the advantages of simple structure, compact size, and light weight.
The navigation and avionics are probably from domestic sources. The WZ-10 is equipped with FLIR thus allowing an operations in all weather. The navigation system consists of radioaltimeter, doppler radar and GPS. The fire control system is similar to the French Starry Night digital integration design. Reports indicate that the WZ-10 has an optics system that relays sensor information to the pilots helmets; essentially a system similar to the US Integrated Helmet and Display Sighting System (IHADSS). The helmet system also controls the direction that the machine gun is aiming. This allows the pilots to have an improved situation awareness as they can monitor flight systems and observe the terrain.
The WZ-10 has a non-traditional [for China] design that uses composite and radar absorbent materials. The WZ-10 is equipped with radar warning systems and with systems that will alert the crew that it has been targeted with laser range finders. The helicopter is also equipped with passive countermeasures and in an effort to reduce fratricide is equipped with IFF. The WZ-10 has modified engine exhausts to reduce IR signature of the helicopter. The cabin's bulletproof glass may resist 7.62 millimeter ammunition and composite armor under the cabin resists 12.7 millimeters machine gun fires. The cabin is equipped to maximize fire protection and the WZ-10 is also outfitted with ejection seats similar to the Ka-50.
Because of the geographical situation of China, the PLA must deal with several theaters, which have significant differences in geographical conditions, including those relating to the possibilities of support from the Air Force and Navy. In some special areas, such as Tibet, with its limited network of air bases, the possibility of air support will be limited and the PLA will have to rely on their own forces. Therefore, the question of the requirement for the PLA attack helicopter are debatable.
On the one hand, given the scale of China's naval forces, as well as the length of land borders, the country needs a heavy-class attack helicopter Mi-28 and AH-64, with a maximum takeoff weight of about 10 tons, can carry many weapons, especially antitank weapons, and also has a long flight duration. While the Chinese ground forces outnumber the land forces of Russia and the United States, the proportion of the helicopter component is much lower. Britain, France and Italy adopted a lighter, 4-5 ton helicopters. China adopted a similar WZ-10, and possibly this was not the best choice.
Despite the fact that some place the WZ-10 in the same class as the Augusta Westland A129 Mangusta and the Eurocopter Tiger, the Chinese helicopter is much heavier than these European counterparts. It is believed that the maximum takeoff weight of the Chinese helicopter is 7500 kg, with an empty weight 5400 kg. For the A129 the corresponding figures are 4600 kg full and 2530 kg empty, and for the Eurocopter Tiger (HAP), 6000 kg and 3060 kg. While the Chinese developers relied on European helicopters for performance targets and conceptual plan, they failed at the same time to meet the weight specifications of European helicopters.
As for the survivability of Chinese helicopter, it implements stealth technology, has taken some steps to reduce noise, with advanced blade propellers. Passive protection provides a helicopter safety when fired on by small arms (including contact with the propeller blades), also implemented technology to protect fuel tanks from penetration. In this respect, the helicopter is at the level of American, Russian and European counterparts.
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