Chinese Z-10

The Chinese Z-10 is an attack helicopter under development in China, began in the mid-1990s. Prototype of the Z-10 maid it's maiden flight in 2003. It seems that initial production gunships were delivered to the Chinese army in 2009-2010. It will be the first dedicated modern Chinese attack helicopter. It has been designed with extensive technical assistance from Eurocopter and Augusta. It is believed that that the Z10 attack helicopter is in the same class as the AH-2 Rooivalk and the A-129 Mangusta, however it is not as capable as the AH-64 Apache.

The Zhi-10 (Z-10) Gunship helicopter uses a typical, tandem-seat gunship helicopter configuration and is powered by twin-engines. It is being developed by the by Changhe Aircraft Industries Group (CAIG) and China Helicopter Research and Development Institute (CHRDI).

The prototype of the Z-10 is powered by two Canadian Pratt & Whitney PT6C-67C turboshaft engines, delivering 1 531 hp each. However indigenous engines might be used on production helicopters. It might use the same engine of the WZ-9 helicopter, but it is less powerful than Canadian design.

This helicopter may be fitted with a fly-by-wire control, helmet-mounted sight for head-up display, television and forward-looking infrared sensors, radar and laser warning receivers, infrared jammer and decoy dispensers.

Specifications:
Crew: 2
Length: 14.1 m
Main rotor diameter: 12 m
Height: 3.85
Engines: 2 x Pratt & Whitney PT6C-67C turboshafts
Engine power: 2 x 1 531 hp
Maximum speed: 300 km/h
Cruising speed: 250 km/h
Service ceiling: 6 000 m
Operation Range: 800 KM
Armament: 30-mm cannon, HJ-9 or HJ-10 anti-tank missiles, TY-90 air-to-air missiles