Z-20T, a closer look

Note the upward exhaust, changed to reduce the infrared signature

 

 

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Introducing Z-20T Assault Helicopter

Another "not so surprising" unveiling at China’s biggest air show in Zhuhai is the Z-20T, the "Assault Version" of the standard Chinese transport helicopter.  

Judging by the exhibition model, this armed variant has similar configuration as the US MH-60L geared to support special operations
 
The front nose is likely be sporting a complete set of forward-looking infrared detection equipment similar to the flying night vision system (PNVS) on the nose of the "Apache" attack helicopter.  In addition, there is a target acquisition/marking system (TADS), which can carry out fire strikes through three channels of white light-thermal imaging and laser.

The Z-20T has a pair of heavy short wings, which can carry large air-to-ground rocket nests, as well as AKD-10 laser semi-active air-launched anti-tank missiles. The ability to carry long-range Blue Arrow-21 anti-tank missiles is also possible.  

Given its layout, the Z-20T is geared to support ground assault missions by specializing in infiltration attacks against key targets, in addition to being a versatile air assault helicopter.

 

 

 

Monday, July 29, 2024

Armed Z-20 Transport Helicopter.

It is unsurprising that the PLA will arm the Z-20 transport helicopter; new photographs of Z-20s with stub wings as mounts for weapons and small total increased lift confirm this anticipation.   Some Chinese military analysts are already laboring the stub wings variant "Z-20W" which indicates its secondary vertical assault mission. 

Take note of the two different stub wings.  The first photo comes from the Navy, and the second is a screen capture of a report on the LH Brigade of the 76th Group Army.

 

Photos Of the Day: Type 075 landing helicopter dock AnHai, fully loaded with Z-20J on deck

 

Chinese frankenstein of the day: T-72 tank chassis with Type96B style turret

According to discussions on the Chinese internet, this 'Frankenstein' tank appears to be Norinco’s latest effort to boost arms sales by retrofitting the basic Soviet-era T-72 chassis with a modern yet cost-effective turret. The intended market? Predictably, Africa and the Middle East friendlies.  

The T-72 is a Soviet-designed tank known for its reliability and use in many "organizations" around the world. China also produced the Type 90-II series, "influenced" by the T-72 design for export, thus retrofitting the Type90/Type96 families of turret to the chassis should not be too much of an engineering overhead.  

While there's no explosive reactive armor (ERA) noted in the picture below, I am sure they can be also mounted on later on, if there's budget left.

 

 

Wing-in-ground-effect is back, meet China's Rainbow T1 (WIG) Drone

Since the 1970s, the Wing-in-Ground-effect (WIG) concept famously embodied by the Soviet Ekranoplan has largely faded from mainstream aerospace development. Now, China is breathing new life into this niche technology with the introduction of the Rainbow T1 WIG drone.

Designed with molecularity in mind, the Rainbow T1 can be configured for either attack or reconnaissance missions. Leveraging the ground effect, it skims just 0.5 meters above the water’s surface, enabling stealthy, sea-hugging flight. With a top speed of Mach 0.62 and an impressive range of 600 kilometers, the T1 combines speed, endurance, and low observability—giving the PLAN a nice boost in littoral and maritime operations if-and-when it enters service.

TKUP201 120mm airborne self-propelled mortar, of the 134th Combined-Arms Mechanized Airborne Brigade

 The 15th Airborne Army is a rapid reaction force, traditionally prioritizing mobility and deployability over heavy armor and firepower to optimize airdrop and air assault operations. However, with the increasing number of Y-20 transport aircraft entering service, the 15th Airborne can now afford to field slightly heavier equipment. The TKUP201 is an example of this shift toward a more firepower direction.

Vehicle "KJ60 2402 " translates into:   KJ = Air force,   60 = 134th Combined-Arms Mechanized Airborne Brigade.    2402 = 2nd battalion,  4th company,

Tuesday, July 07, 2020

Photos Of The Day: ZBD03 Airborne Recovery Variant

That little crane comes in handy for picking up all those misdrops/lootcrates

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

PLAAF Airborne's new assault brigade

12 months after the last great PLA orbat reform, CCTV airs its first report on PLAAF's assault brigade thus confirming its existence.   Source (here)

央视网消息：作为国防和军队改革后组建的新质作战力量，日前，组建刚刚一年的空军空降兵某空中突击旅首次亮相练兵场，开展多机型伞降训练和空地协同训练，迈开了由传统伞降部队向多能空中突击部队转型的坚实步伐

Saturday, April 29, 2017

15th Airborne Corps' new ORBAT

The CMC decommissioned three divisional headquarters (43rd, 44th and 45th) on April 19th,  their regiments are now reformed into 6 brigades (127th, 128th, 130th, 131st, 133rd, and 134th) directly under the corps headquarters .   Additionally,  there will be a new SpOps Brigade , a Strategic Support Brigade (Engineering, Communication, etc) and an Aviation Brigade(Fixed And Rotary Wing Aircraft) bringing to a total of 9 line brigades. 

Sunday, January 19, 2014

PR Photos of the day: Vertical assault of an PLAAF airborne battalion combined arms battlegroup

Monday, January 18, 2010

15th Airborne Corps (ABC) is testing their vertical envelopment/air mobility capability

The 15th ABC's organic helicopter regiment was first revealed during the 2008 Sichuan earthquake rescue work and then by a high profile fly-by during the 60th national day celebration.

It is now time for the 15th to test its newly found air mobility assault capability in a large military exercise. The advantage of air mobile assault over airdrop are many: ranging from entire unit delivery in one place--which immediately allows combat-readiness, precision resupply landings, to on-station fire support from helicopter gunships. In time, it will be interesting to see if a small portion of the 15th ABC will be converted into air-cavalry to enhance the corps' mission profile.

Airborne troops in training

(Source: China Military Online) 2010-01-18
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/news-channels/photo-reports/2010-01/18/content_4119686.htm
Air-ground coordination

　 　Since the beginning of the training of the new year, a troop unit of the airborne force under the Air Force of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has organized the comprehensive exercise of live shell, actual-airdrop and actual-explosion strictly in accordance with the new Outline of Military Training and Evaluation. During the exercise, it stressed training on such subjects as command and control, airborne landing and airdrop, fire strike and comprehensive support, in a bid to enhance the core military capability of the troops. Shown in the pictures are some scenes of the troop unit in training.

　　By Wang Haitao

Editor:Yang Ru

Posted by Coatepeque at 9:44 PM