The Z-10, also known as the WZ-10, is an attack helicopter developed by the People’s Republic of China. It is designed primarily for anti-tank warfare missions but also has secondary air-to-air capability. If Turkey’s T-129 was produced due to U.S. intervention concerns that could not be handed over to Pakistan, it would serve as a good signal for China’s Z-10 helicopter. The specific case here is the export contract to Pakistan produced by Turkey’s T-129 attack helicopter, as the helicopter insisted on using a number of American-origin equipment.
Helicopters are the most effective means used for logistics, warfare, and rescue purposes. Today, attack helicopters mainly focus on two main tasks: first, providing direct short-range air support and accurate fire support for infantry, and second, conducting anti-tank missions and targeting enemy armored vehicles. The Z-10, also called WZ-10, is an attack helicopter developed by the People’s Republic of China. It is designed primarily for anti-tank warfare missions but also has secondary air-to-air capability. It was co-designed by KamoV Design Bureau of Russia under a contract with the Chinese government, and the 602 Research Institute under Wu Ximeng and is being built by Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation.
Z-10 attack helicopters began to develop in the mid-1990s. The prototype of the Z-10 made its maiden flight in 2003. The first helicopter was delivered to the People’s Liberation Army in 2009. The Z-10 was displayed for the first time at the 9th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai in November 2012. Few people suspect that China’s most advanced Z-10 attack helicopter is not designed by themselves as previous information, but the Kamov helicopter design institute helped design. This information was revealed by Kamov at the Heli-Expo 2013 in Las Vegas.
According to the chief designer of Kamov Helicopter Design Office, Sergey Mikheev, in 1995, Kamov was developing a preliminary design of a 6-ton attack helicopter for the Chinese government, but all information about this cooperation program has been kept secret by both parties so far. Kamov’s chief designer said that his design department had developed an attack helicopter project called Project 941, which was designed not based on any of the other helicopter projects. The Soviet Union was only designed completely according to China’s unique requirements.
“They gave us the weight of the new helicopter that needed to be designed, we discussed the preliminary specifications, then signed the contract and completed the full contract,” Mikheev told. After Kamov helicopter design office completed the design of Project 941, the Russian helicopter design department confirmed this design through testing, then provided the design to China. From these detailed design drawings, China has successfully developed the modern Z-10 attack helicopter.
The Z-10, also known as the WZ-10, is China’s most advanced attack helicopter, which is equipped with modern, self-developed Chinese avionics systems. It is capable of infrared tracking, making it capable of operating in all weather conditions, day and night. In addition, the Z-10 is also equipped with GPS, radar, optoelectronic camera systems, a helmet-mounted sight with night vision goggles, and a fly-by-wire control system, making aiming and tracking targets more efficient.
The Z-10 is made of a special composite material capable of absorbing radar waves, minimizing the possibility of being detected in combat. The cockpit glass of the WZ-10 is designed to prevent 7.62mm bullets, while the armor is designed under the cabin with the ability to withstand 12.7mm bullets from aircraft guns.
In addition, there is an ejection system under each pilot seat in case the pilot needs to escape. Currently, China is producing a series of this type of attack helicopter and has recruited some ready-to-fight Z-10 units. In addition, they are actively promoting exports, although few countries have indicated that they will buy this helicopter because of concerns that Chinese defense products are not of good quality compared to Russian and American goods. The Pakistan Army acquired 3 units for evaluation with a follow-up order for 7 more, but in 2017 they opted for the AgustaWestland T129 and plans to manufacture aircraft parts in Pakistan.
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The Z-10, equipped with a pair of WZ-9 engines, is said to be the Chinese version of the Pratt & Whitney PT6 engine, with 1,350 shaft horsepower each combined with a five-bladed main rotor assembly fitted low on the fuselage top and a pair of two-bladed tail rotor units. The maximum speed of the Z-10 reaches 270 km/h, and the range is about 800 km.
The flight control of both aviators seems to complement each other, and the pilot, who is also the team leader of the aircrew, can override the gunner’s commands. The engines and the fuel tank are located in the middle of the fuselage. The canopy of the cockpit is specially treated to prevent glare from the sun, and, as an additional option, a painted version is also available for camouflage purposes, though this is not standard.
Tracking and engagement systems are housed in a positional pose assembly as in the AH-64 and a chin-mounted turret houses the standard cannon armament. The fuselage is slim which promotes a very tight forward profile and accommodates a pair of turboshaft engines high in its configuration. The empennage is set low in the design with a conventional tail rotor offset to the starboard side. The tail rotor sits atop a tail vertical fin. At its base are a pair of horizontal stabilizers.
The chin-mounted turret can be fitted with a 20mm or 30mm autocannon. There is also the option of equipping either 35-40mm grenade launchers or 12.7 to 14.5mm multi-barrel guns. Two stub wings provide four hardpoints for holding external weapons. The undercarriage is fixed and consists of two single-wheeled main legs and a single-wheeled tail leg. The electronic countermeasures suite of the Z-10 integrates a radar warning receiver, a laser warning receiver, an infrared jammer, and flare decoy launching system.
Z-10’s ability to carry weapons has never been revealed, but it is estimated that it can carry up to 2 tons of weapons including rockets, missiles, and gun pods. According to the documents, the Z-10 carries up to 16 anti-tank missiles HJ-8, HJ-9, and HJ-10; up to 16 TY-90 air-to-air missiles or 4 PL-5, PL-7, and PL-9 air-to-air missiles. In the picture, the Z-10 is launching the HJ-10 anti-tank missile, which is supposed to have the same design as the famous U.S. AGM-114 rocket.
The Z-10 is said to be in the same class as the American AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, but it is still unclear how effective it is compared to the American version. Some reports say that the Z-10 is more advanced than the Apache, while others say the opposite.
In conclusion, the Z-10 attack helicopter is a modern Chinese rotorcraft designed for anti-tank warfare missions with secondary air-to-air capability. It is equipped with advanced avionics systems, armor protection, and weapon options, making it a formidable asset on the battlefield. While its origins may have involved collaboration with Russian design expertise, it has since evolved into a Chinese-produced and developed platform. However, its export prospects have faced challenges, with limited international interest due to concerns about the quality of Chinese defense products compared to those from other nations like the United States and Russia.
