The Bell AH-1Z Zulu
Capable. Flexible. Multi-mission. The ultimate in attack helicopters. The powerful AH-1Z delivers state of the art dynamics, weapons and avionics to incorporate the latest in survivability. With anti-armor capability, it engages and defeats the broadest array of threats at standoff ranges that defy imagination.
Standard configuration utilizes the T700-GE-401 engine.
Weapons Capability
• AGM-114A, B, and C Hellfire and anti-tank missiles up to 16 total
• AGM-114F Hellfire anti-ship missiles – up to 16 total
• 70mm Rockets, 19 or 7 shot pods – up to 76 total
• AIM-9 Sidewinder (A superior supersonic air-to-air missile with infrared target detection for fire and forget capability.)
• LUU-2A/B nighttime illumination flare
• Mk 77 fire bombs
• 77 and 100 gallon external auxiliary fuel tanks
• 20 mm cannon (With a higher muzzle velocity and flatter trajectory for better accuracy, it is capable of handling M50-series rounds designed specifically for air-to-air combat)
• MK 76 practice bombs
• BDU-33D/B practice bombs
• MK 106 practice bombs
Survivability & Crashworthiness
Like no other attack helicopter in the world, the AH-1Z survives combat with an advanced countermeasure suite, which includes:
• AVR-2A Laser Warning Receiver
• APR-39A(v) 2 Radar Warning Receiver
• ALE-47 “Smart” Countermeasures Dispenser and
• AAR-47 Missile Warning Device.
...and the latest airframe technologies, such as:
• Energy attenuating crashworthy seats
• Energy-absorbing landing gear
• Self sealing fuel tanks and fuel systems
• Fuel vapor inerting systems
• Mass retention designs to ensure major components stay where they should in the event of a crash, and many other advanced features.
Modern Technology
The AH-1Z is a design for the 21st century. Produced to meet the stringent requirements of the USMC today – its aircraft design brings together proven AH-1W airframe reliability, a new composite four bladed rotor system and powerful T700-GE-401engines. With virtually identical front and rear cockpits, fully integrated weapons, avionics and communications systems the AH-1Z flies with the most advanced aircraft survivability equipment in the world. The AH-1Z is truly state-of-the-art.
Best Targeting System
Target identification is critical in the complex post-cold war and urban conflict environments. The AH-1Z Target Sight System (TSS) incorporates a third-generation FLIR and currently provides the longest range, lowest jitter and highest weapons' accuracy possible of any helicopter sight in the world. In addition, the completely passive and automatic system scans the battlefield without emitting trackable radar, positively identifying and tracking multiple targets at ranges beyond the maximum range of its weapons system.
Helmet Mounted Sight and Display System
The "Top Owl" Helmet Mounted Sight and Display (HMS/D) system supports improved communication and reduced cockpit workload. Manufactured by THALES Avionics, the Top Owl HMS/D is the most technically advanced helmet available. Upgradeable "in-service" and as additional requirements develop, it combines both avionics function with the aircrew life support and protection into a single unit.
Maintenance
Designed for lower maintenance, with the helicopter mechanic in mind, the AH-1Z is one of the most reliable aircraft made. Maintenance features of the AH-1Z include:
• Fault detection sensors that facilitate “on-condition” maintenance
• Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals
• Better accessibility
• Elimination of certain maintenance tasks
• Less maintenance man hours per flight hour
• Less spares storage requirement
Modern Cockpit
Identical front and rear cockpits provide the true ability to fly and fight from either cockpit, so there's no need to have separate training programs for front or back seaters.
The Hands on Collective and Stick (HOCAS) side-stick architecture, allows pilot function without removing hands from the collective flight controls. Color displays are large, multifunctional and combined with the moving-map technology. Helmet mounted displays provide all the information required to engage the enemy more quickly and accurately.
H1 Program Commonality
Shared dynamics and nearly identical cockpits vastly reduces the logistical tail, procurement and training costs required to support a large fleet of mixed type aircraft. The AH-1Z and UH-1Y have 84% commonality with identical components.
Just as the AH-1W is being rebuilt and redesigned into the AH-1Z, the US Marine Corps Huey helicopters are being rebuilt and redesigned as well. The traditional reliability of the Huey series now contributes to the outstanding performance, state-of-the-art dynamics and avionics of the H1 Program.
The Bell AH-1Z
Z-10 Attack Helicopter, China
The Z-10 attack helicopter was developed by the Changhe Aircraft Industries Group (CHAIG) and China Helicopter Research and Development Institute (CHRDI) for the People's Liberation Army (PLA). The helicopter is being manufactured by Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAIC).
The Z-10 attack helicopter can be primarily deployed in anti-armour and battlefield interdiction missions. The helicopter can also conduct limited air-to-air combat operations.
The Z-10 helicopter took to the skies for the first time in April 2003. The first helicopter was delivered to the PLA 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.
Development of the Z-10 attack helicopter
"The helicopter can adapt to use the newly developed HJ-10 anti-tank guided missile (ATGM)."
The development of the Z-10 attack helicopter started in the mid-1990s at CHRDI's and CAIG's sites in Jingdezhen, China. It is the first modern attack helicopter designed and produced domestically by the People's Republic of China.
The full-scale test platform was completed by the end of 2001. The initial flight tests were completed in 2003 and the second stage of tests were concluded by 2004. The Z-10 can be compared with its Western counterparts, including AH-1 Cobra,
AH-64 Apache and
Tiger helicopters.
In June 2012, United Technologies and its subsidiaries Pratt & Whitney Canada and Hamilton Sundstrand pleaded guilty for breaching the Arms Export Control Act and making false assertions about the illegal export of US-made military software for the Z-10. The companies agreed to pay more than $75m to the US Government as part of a global settlement related to the Chinese arms export violations.
Features of the Chinese military aircraft
The Z-10 incorporates a conventional attack helicopter layout featuring a nail down fuselage and stepped tandem cockpits. The fuselage, with a sloped side, is tapered to the rear for a reduced radar cross section. The helicopter is equipped with five-bladed main rotor and four-bladed tail rotor. Two engines are mounted at the rear of the cockpit. The helicopter has a length of 14.1m, rotor diameter of 13m and a height of 3.8m. The maximum take-off weight of the Z-10 is 8t.
Cockpit and avionics onboard
The stepped tandem cockpit accommodates a gunner in the front and pilot in the rear on ejection seats. The cockpit is protected by composite armour. The bullet-proof glass canopy of the cockpit can withstand 7.62mm rounds.
The modern glass cockpit is equipped with multifunctional displays (MFDs), a helmet mounted sight with night vision goggles and a fly-by-wire (FBW) control system. The helicopter can be fitted with a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and a low-light television as well as radar systems.
Armaments on the modern attack helicopter
The chin mounted turret can be fitted with a 20mm or 30mm autocannon. Two stub wings provide four hardpoints for holding external weapons. The GJV289A standard databus architecture allows the integration of weapon systems of both Soviet and Western origin.
"It is the first modern attack helicopter designed and produced domestically by the People's Republic of China."
The helicopter can also adapt to use the newly developed HJ-10 anti-tank guided missile (ATGM). The missile is believed to be equivalent to the US-made AGM-114 Hellfire.
The helicopter can carry up to eight ATGMs for anti-armour role, eight TY-90 air-to-air missiles and four PL-5, PL-7 and PL-9 air-to-air missiles.
The TY-90 missile is specifically designed for helicopters performing aerial combat missions. The Z-10 can also carry multibarrel unguided rocket pods for ground attack missions. A total of four pods under sub wings can hold 57mm-90mm rockets.
Z-10 countermeasures and engines
The electronic countermeasures (ECM) suite of the Z-10 integrates a radar warning receiver, a laser warning receiver, an infrared jammer and chaff / flare decoy launching system. The modular design also adapts the latest systems, replacing the existing jamming and decoy launching systems.
The Z-10 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67C turboshaft engines. The engines are equipped with Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system. Each engine develops a maximum continuous power of 1,142kW.
Z-10 Attack Helicopter - Army Technology
Unable to get official link for Z-10
