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Aerial refueling-capable Z-20, stealth chopper expected in China: chief designer
Liu Xuanzun
04:13 Jan 12 2022
China's Z-20 helicopters fly above the 5th China Helicopter Exposition in Tianjin. Photo :AP
China's Z-20 utility tactical helicopter could get upgrades including the ability to receive aerial refueling, the chopper's chief designer said on Tuesday, who also suggested the possible existence of a stealth helicopter and the development of the country's domestically built heavy-lift helicopter.
Deng Jinghui, the chief designer at the China Helicopter Research and Development Institute of the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China, made the remarks in an interview published by China Central Television (CCTV) on Tuesday.
"Since helicopters have less range compared with fixed-wing aircraft, we are considering extending that range in the form of aerial refueling. We can also use other aircraft to transfer helicopters in long-range deployment," Deng said, when asked about the future upgrades of the Z-20, which made the first public appearance in 2019 and has since attracted attention over its upgrade potential.
Other possible upgrades include the use of additional safety air bags to better protect the flight crew, and further improvements to the chopper's vibration and noise reduction, Deng said.
Media have also been speculating about the development of a wide variety of variants developed based on the original transport version of the Z-20, including an attack version, a ship-borne utility version and a ship-borne anti-submarine warfare version.
In May 2021, a media report revealed a scale model of what seems to be a stealth helicopter on display at a facility of the China Helicopter Research and Development Institute. Some said it could be a stealth variant of the Z-20.
When asked if a stealth helicopter is in development, Deng did not give a direct answer, but said, "Helicopters are low-altitude killers that play a unique role in special operations. I'm also interested in this question, so let's look forward to an answer together."
The stealth helicopter could be a forward research project, and this type of aircraft could be a good choice in assault and penetration missions, since it is more difficult to spot and has a higher chance of survival, Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military aviation expert, told the Global Times.
In response to a question on the aerodynamic design of China's domestically developed heavy-lift helicopter, Deng said that this will be decided based on the request of the user and China's technological capabilities.
It will likely feature a main rotor and a tail rotor like the CH-53E, unlike the tandem rotor design used by the CH-47. This is because China now has a better technological reserve in the former, so the development risk is lower, according to Deng.
China is reportedly developing a 40 ton-class heavy-lift helicopter jointly with Russia.
Liu Xuanzun
04:13 Jan 12 2022
China's Z-20 helicopters fly above the 5th China Helicopter Exposition in Tianjin. Photo :AP
China's Z-20 utility tactical helicopter could get upgrades including the ability to receive aerial refueling, the chopper's chief designer said on Tuesday, who also suggested the possible existence of a stealth helicopter and the development of the country's domestically built heavy-lift helicopter.
Deng Jinghui, the chief designer at the China Helicopter Research and Development Institute of the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China, made the remarks in an interview published by China Central Television (CCTV) on Tuesday.
"Since helicopters have less range compared with fixed-wing aircraft, we are considering extending that range in the form of aerial refueling. We can also use other aircraft to transfer helicopters in long-range deployment," Deng said, when asked about the future upgrades of the Z-20, which made the first public appearance in 2019 and has since attracted attention over its upgrade potential.
Other possible upgrades include the use of additional safety air bags to better protect the flight crew, and further improvements to the chopper's vibration and noise reduction, Deng said.
Media have also been speculating about the development of a wide variety of variants developed based on the original transport version of the Z-20, including an attack version, a ship-borne utility version and a ship-borne anti-submarine warfare version.
In May 2021, a media report revealed a scale model of what seems to be a stealth helicopter on display at a facility of the China Helicopter Research and Development Institute. Some said it could be a stealth variant of the Z-20.
When asked if a stealth helicopter is in development, Deng did not give a direct answer, but said, "Helicopters are low-altitude killers that play a unique role in special operations. I'm also interested in this question, so let's look forward to an answer together."
The stealth helicopter could be a forward research project, and this type of aircraft could be a good choice in assault and penetration missions, since it is more difficult to spot and has a higher chance of survival, Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military aviation expert, told the Global Times.
In response to a question on the aerodynamic design of China's domestically developed heavy-lift helicopter, Deng said that this will be decided based on the request of the user and China's technological capabilities.
It will likely feature a main rotor and a tail rotor like the CH-53E, unlike the tandem rotor design used by the CH-47. This is because China now has a better technological reserve in the former, so the development risk is lower, according to Deng.
China is reportedly developing a 40 ton-class heavy-lift helicopter jointly with Russia.
