Engineering:Harbin Z-21
The Harbin Z-21 (Chinese: 直-21) is a type of heavy-weight, twin-turboshaft, attack helicopters based on the Harbin Z-20 airframe. Produced by the Harbin Aircraft Industry Group (HAIG), the helicopter was first observed in China in March 2024.[1] The United States Army University estimated that Z-21 would be inducted to the People's Liberation Army Ground Force Aviation (PLAGF) service in around late 2027.[2]
Description
The Z-21 has a tail section and rotor configuration similar to the Harbin Z-20, but with a thinner fuselage. A tandem cockpit replaces the side-by-side seating cockpit on the original. In front of the cockpit, an electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor turret is fitted, while an autocannon is mounted below. A cheek fairing is added for additional ammunition and avionics. A millimeter-wave (mmW) radar is mounted on top of the rotor mast, with VHF/UHF communication antennas, satellite communication antennas, laser warning receivers (LWR), radar warning receivers (RWR), and a missile approach warning system (MAWS) mounted around the fuselage. The helicopter is fitted with two WZ-10 engines, rated at 1,790 kW (2,400 shp) each with the exhaust direction changed to upward-facing to reduce the infrared signature.[3][4]
According to Janes Information Services, at an estimated maximum takeoff weight of 10–12 t (22,000–26,000 lb) (in the same class as the AH-64E Apache and the Mi-28),[3] The heavy-weight Z-21 allows the airframe to provide better protection and heavier payload than China's previous Changhe Z-10 helicopters, complementing the latter. Four hard points are fitted under the stub wings, while two more are mounted on the wingtips, for a total of six, which is more than the four hardpoints on the Z-10.[3][4][5] Other than the stub wings, the Z-21 features hardpoints underneath the fuselage for carrying external fuel tanks, extending the helicopter's range and on-station endurance, which would be critical in a contested environment without forward arming and refuelling point (FARP).[2]
Specifications (Z-21)
Data from Popular Mechanics,[4] Janes,[6] Defence Security Asia[7]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 16 m (52 ft 6 in)
- Height: 3.86 m (12 ft 8 in)
- Empty weight: 5,200 kg (11,464 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 10,000 kg (22,046 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × WZ-10 turboshaft engines, 1,790 kW (2,400 hp) each [3][4]
- Main rotor diameter: × 13.35 m (43 ft 10 in)
Performance
- Combat range: 650 km (400 mi, 350 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 6,250 m (20,510 ft) (approx.)
- Rate of climb: 13 m/s (2,500 ft/min)
Armament
- Guns: 1x 30 mm (1.181 in) auto cannon
- Hardpoints: 6 hardpoints on two stub wings with provisions to carry combinations of:
- Rockets:
- Various rocket pods
- Missiles:
- AKD-9 laser-guided air-to-surface missile
- AKD-10 laser-guided air-to-surface missile
- CM-502KG or CM-502V NLOS air-to-surface missile
- CM-501GA NLOS air-to-surface missile
- CM-501XA loitering munition
- TY-90 air-to-air missile
- Other: 500kg drop tank
- Rockets:
Avionics
EO/IR sensors
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
- AgustaWestland Apache
- Bell AH-1Z Viper
- Boeing AH-64 Apache
- Leonardo Helicopters AW249 Fenice
- Mil Mi-28 Havoc
- Kamov Ka-52 Alligator
Related lists
- List of active Chinese military aircraft
- List of Chinese aircraft
References
- ↑ Newdick, Thomas (21 March 2024). "China's New Heavy Attack Helicopter Spotted For The First Time (Updated)". https://www.twz.com/land/chinas-new-heavy-attack-helicopter-spotted-for-the-first-time.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Camarena, Joaquin (5 June 2026). "The Z-21's External Fuel Tanks Expand the PLAA's Planning Options for Helicopter Missions". https://www.army.edu/News/View/Article/4509912/the-z-21s-external-fuel-tanks-expand-the-plaas-planning-options-for-helicopter/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Kadidal, Akhil (28 March 2024). "New Chinese attack helicopter in development". https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/defence/new-chinese-attack-helicopter-in-development.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Roblin, Sébastien (22 October 2024). "America's AH-64 Apache Is One of the World's Deadliest Helicopters—And China Just Made Its Own Copy". https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a62681367/china-z21-attack-helicopter/.
- ↑ D'Urso, Stefano (30 March 2024). "First Clear Photos Of China's New Z-21 Attack Helicopter (With Striking Resemblance To AH-64)". https://theaviationist.com/2024/03/30/first-clear-photos-show-chinas-new-z-21-attack-helicopter-and-its-striking-resemblance-to-ah-64/.
- ↑ "New Chinese Z-20 'armed assault' variant emerges". 23 May 2024. https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/defence/new-chinese-z-20-armed-assault-variant-emerges.
- ↑ "Z-21". https://defencesecurityasia.com/en/china-z21-heavy-attack-helicopter-ah64-apache-taiwan-strait-pla-indo-pacific/.
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