Z-19, the new attack helicopter

CCTV: WZ-9

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Z-19 looks really tiny and payload is probably very small. This thing wouldn't be too effective, at least not much more than a multipurpose helicopter similar to black hawk, mounted with a gun on the side.

Considering it's based on Z9 it should be able to carry at least eight HJ8 or TY90, or with the additional pair of pylons compare with Z9 it may be able to carry an additional pair of rocket pods.

Probably Z-19 will be given the roles of recogn & attack helicopters, and also armed escort for transport helicopters and land convoys. Given the size of Chinese army, they may need large number of Z-19 for convoy escort, the cheaper Z-19 has less impact on the budget. The alternate option of WZ-9 (armed version of Z-9) may be deem to have less survival chance. (compare with armed Huey UH-1 and its derivative AH-1, no AH-1 was shot down in Vietnam war).

I think tank buster/bunker buster roles would be reserved for the more costly WZ-10.

Z-19 is more like a Z-9 gone through crash diet, with lots of fat trimmed from the tosso. The design looks a lot like the Kawasaki OH-1...if they share the similarity in role as well, then we can very certain the future role of Z-19. That said, however, it'd be better if the EO turrets are mounted somewhere higher than at the chin (or nose, whatever)

Looks like the WZ-19 is derived directly from the WZ-9 with one of the main changes being the incorporation of stealth shaping.

Originally Posted by CottageLV

Z-19 looks really tiny and payload is probably very small. This thing wouldn't be too effective, at least not much more than a multipurpose helicopter similar to black hawk, mounted with a gun on the side.

How did you figure it's small? I don't see any references in the pics...

that isnt actually a bad looking helo

really very nice actually!

I'm curious about Z-19's potential to become something like the AH-1T Sea Cobra.

back in the summer of 2009 it was reported that Pakistan had got hold of a Apache helicopter found in 2 disassembeled 40ft containers from the Nato supply convoy, these were handed over to the PA which were then sent to China

When US asked for them Pakistan said they were destroyed in a attack on the convoys, a year before that Taliban got hold of parts of 3 US helicopters from similar containers and actually even showed a video of them, the parts were from 2 Blackhawks and 1 Chinnok

this has also been highlighted in Carey Schofield's book, "Inside Pakistan Army" , over the years Pakistan has made "missing" many containers which passed through Pakistan en-route to Afghanistan, and if you ever visit the gun and bazars of Peshawar you can routinely find US equipment, from US uniforms to manuals for helicopters, even tinned food!!

there was one guy who owned a American military Humvee, he had it converted to run on 4 gas cylinders!!

there is a possibily therefore that China has access to the very best American military equipment and some of which will be benifical to WZ-19 and WZ-10 attack helicopter programmes

How credible are these reports? I find it hard to believe that the Americans would be shipping really classified stuff by road through Pakistan given the well documented security issues with attacks on convoys and what not.

Basic mass quantity stuff like rations, uniforms, even private mail and light vehicles sure, but attack helos? I thought those were always flown around either under their own power, or inside transport aircraft.

Watch this shows up soon in some story from a major media outlet.

you would be suprised, not all helos are transported via large military cargos, its expensive and isnt always possible

if Taliban can get hold of them then sure Pakistan can, there is also bullet proof glass for attack helos which has also been found, and we are talking high end replacement windshields for advanced US helos like AH-64 Longbows, very useful for anyone who has a attack helo programme

disassembeled parts of helicopters is well established route through Pakistan, as ISAF and Nato use helicopters for everything they do in Afghanistan, this news is credible, any visit to Bara Bazar will probably confirm it

also the rotor tail for the "stealth" Blackhawk used in the Bin Laden raid was captured by Pakistan army, it isnt just limited to helos, Tomahawks from 1998 Clintons failed attack in Afghanistan and Predator drones all make thier way into Pakistan

Pakistan has shared much info for F16 with China, even then we got F16 C/D Block 52+, it isnt all that controlled