Attack helicopters of the PLA

In modern armed conflict, as well as during special operations, attack helicopters are a mandatory element. Rotorcraft of this type are necessary both for striking and for covering intelligence and special purpose groups.

Wuji-10 reconnaissance and attack helicopters (WZ-10)

The appearance of the first attack helicopter under the designation "Wuzhi-10" in China became possible after in 1994, the specialists of the Kamov design Bureau completed the development of this rotorcraft under a contract worth 9 million US dollars. In the future, Chinese customers purchased the transmission and blades of the Augusta Westland company. In the process of creating a prototype of the combat vehicle, Chinese experts focused on the use of the canadian-made RT6S-67V power plant. However, the opposition of the US authorities led to the termination of Pratt&Whitney's supply of these power plants to China.

Chinese engine builders were forced to copy the turboshaft engine, which received the designation WZ-9A (932 kW power at take-off). Subsequently, this engine was modified and received the designation WZ-9C, the Power reached 1,132 kW. In the future, Chinese experts expect to install a WZ-9B engine with a power of 1,283 kW on this helicopter, which will allow fending off an increase in the mass of additional armor protection elements.

Wuji-10 attack helicopter (WZ-10)

In the interests of the PLA air assault units, a special modification of the helicopter was developed under the designation WZ-10K:

• equipped with devices to prevent sand and dust from entering the engine, and the exhaust manifolds are turned up to reduce the thermal visibility of the helicopter;
• automatic gun caliber reduced to 20 mm based on the use of standard NATO ammunition;
• changed the ammunition supply system for the aircraft gun and modified the muzzle brake-compensator, which reduced vibration when firing;
• additional graphene armor plates are installed on the cockpit;
• special flight helmets with additional sights that make it easier to aim at night are offered.

The fire control system allows the crew to "Wuzhi-10K" apply single-barreled automatic cannon of 20 mm caliber, anti-tank "Red arrow 10", NAR caliber 57 and 70 mm, and precision-guided aerial munitions a series of "Celestial arrow" caliber 90 mm and SD-class "air-air" TY-90.

Tactical and technical characteristics of the Uji-10 reconnaissance and attack helicopter»

Light reconnaissance and attack helicopter "Wuji-19E Black hurricane»

The development of a light reconnaissance and attack helicopter under the designation "Wuzhi-19" specialists of the Harbin aircraft manufacturing enterprise and the 602nd NIO of the Chinese aircraft manufacturing Corporation began in 1995 after the development of the production of the multi-purpose helicopter "Zhi-9". Chinese designers copied the design scheme and blades of the "Starflex" type of the a-129 "mongoose" light attack helicopter of the Italian company Augusta Westland.

The first flight of the Uji-19 was completed in July 2010, and two years later it entered service with army aviation units that need a light maneuverable and high-speed vehicle to support special forces units in mountainous areas. The helicopter is made on the basis of aggregates from civil vehicles-H410, H425 and H450, which are in great demand in the market of small civil aviation in China, which has reduced the cost.

Light reconnaissance and attack helicopter "Wuzhi-19»

The Wuji-19 helicopters are serially equipped with a modified version of the 650 kW WZ-8C turboshaft engine. However, Chinese experts expect to develop a new engine with a capacity of 718 kW, which will increase the armament of the rotorcraft, i.e. increase the number of VTP from four to six.

The helicopter is equipped with a serial system for radar and laser irradiation CLA-01W. Ground target detection and guidance is provided by the wxg-1006 opto-electronic system. After 2017 the helicopters began to equip nadterechnoi radar millimeter range.

The nomenclature of aviation weapons of destruction (ASP) includes ATGM "Red arrow 8A" and "Blue arrow 9", UR" air–to-air " TY-90, as well as NAR type 57-1 and 90-1 in launchers HF-25 and HF-7D 18 and 7 guides, respectively. These ammunition can be equipped with television PCHN, which will radically improve the accuracy of hitting ground targets.

Tactical and technical characteristics of the light reconnaissance and attack helicopter "Wuji-19E Black hurricane»

Zhi-11WB fire support helicopter»

In the period from 1988 to 1994, specialists of the 602nd research Institute of helicopter design of the PRC, with the assistance of partners from the French company Aerospatiale (currently Airbus Helicopters), developed the Zhi-11 light helicopter. The car received a type certificate in 1996, after which small-scale deliveries to the training units of the PLA AA began.

The AS350 "Squirrel"helicopter was chosen as the basis. Production of the helicopter is organized at the Changhes aviation industry enterprise. The helicopter has completed a full cycle of test flights in high-altitude conditions and in winter.

AS350 "Squirrel" helicopter»

After analyzing the use of MD530 and OH-58D light helicopters by the us military in various special operations, it was decided to develop a similar helicopter based on the Zhi-11. The new version of the rotorcraft was designated "Zhi-11WB".

The main difference is an increase in the area of the cockpit glazing, which is made of a special bullet-resistant alloy that provides protection from 5.56 mm bullets and shrapnel. The helicopter can be equipped with national-made WZ-8D/E/f engines. If necessary, this helicopter can be equipped with a WZ-8C turboshaft engine with a power of 630 kW.

For foreign buyers, it is possible to complete the engine LTS109-700D-2 (manufactured by Honeywell, USA) or Ariel 2B1A (manufactured by Turbomeca, France). Foreign-made power plants have a large resource (twice).

Detection and tracking of ground targets with subsequent attacks is provided by the W/ZH-09(A1) ECO, which allows the use of:

• adjustable high-precision bombs LS6, TL2 or FT-9 with a mass of 50 kg;
• ATGM "Red arrow 8C and 9" (up to 8 units.);
• SM-502K laser-guided air-to-ground missiles (up to 8 units));
• heavy air–to-ground missiles with extended range AG-300L (up to 8 units).);
• cluster bombs YZ-102A, YZ-200, YZ-212D.

The z-11WA helicopter can be equipped with two 57mm NAR launchers with 18 rounds each. The designers provided for the possibility of installing a 23 mm DX-10B model aircraft gun in a RS-1AU container with 200 rounds of ammunition.

For actions at night, the crew can use the MBZ-10A-1 night mode sight.

A CS/LM-12 6-barrelled 7.62 mm machine gun or an AG LG3 40 mm machine gun can be mounted in the cab on swivel turrets.

Zhi-11WB fire support helicopter»

Tactical and technical characteristics of the Zhi-11WB fire support helicopter»

Chinese aircraft manufacturers are working on new multi-functional helicopters with a take-off weight from 4.5 to 10 tons. Chinese experts recognize the presence of problems with power plants, but actively cooperate with French specialists, which allows them to gradually improve the flight characteristics of rotorcraft.

At the same time, Chinese designers are developing a new heavy military transport ekranoplan with four engines with a capacity of

5,000 kW each, which will allow you to transport at least 35 tons of cargo at a speed of 550 km / h over a distance of 1,000 km. Such an aircraft will allow you to land significant infantry forces or heavy weapons in hard-to-reach mountainous areas.

Based on the materials of the journal "Science and technology of the military-industrial complex of XI'an»