Why wz-10?

I notice china has been very secretive and persistnat with its wz-10 attack helicopter program. The resulting helicopter, however, should only rival the performance of the tiger. Why spend all this time and money developing a new helicopter when alternatives are available?

Check out these bad boys:

The mi-24 hind-2

highly developed and proven helicopter, seen action in afghan war

The mi-28N

Russia has selected this latest mil for its own army, its also going to compete in an algerian helicopter tender

My personal favorites, the ka-50 black shark and ka-52 alligator, definitely comparable to the eurocopter and apache long bow.

I think they are in different class. Eurocopter Tiger is more of a multi-role copter, whereas ka-50 and longbow are more like dedicated attack helicopter. (someone, please correct me on this!) Also, they are also at a different weight class. The tiger is at 6000 KG at maximum takeoff. Whereas apache longbow is in the 7000KG range and ka-50 is almost 10 tonne (is there such thing as a light Russian helicopter?).

Basically, WZ-10 was developed in the mind that it can become a heavier and more armoued version of Z-9 I think:
1. It can assume the role of attack helicopter
2. You can have civilian version (also known as) the CMH
3. You can have SAR version
4. You can even use it for transport
5. You can put it on a destroyer for ASW missions and providing surface search.
6. May become a nice export item? I don't know? Z-9 has achieved some exports that I didn't think was possible.

Note, it does have certain advantages:
1. It uses the latest P&W PT6-67C engine
2. It also uses brand new drivetrain designed in conjunction with Eurocopter (newer than Tiger)
3. Once HJ-10 ATGM gets equipped on it, it will have some powerful anti-tank munition
4. There is no indication that it's payload or range is not comparable to ka-50

Not to mention its importance in establishing an important milestone in chinese helicopter devolpment...

So much for no oneliners...

Typhuang, i wasnt aware that the tiger(its design) had any troop carrying or naval abilities. Are you saying the wz-10 is sort of going to be a armored, armed wz-9 style design, that can be adapted for different missions? This rather differes from the common impression of the wz-10, which heavily resembles the tiger.

And other than the hj-10, what other weapons is the wz-10 projected to carry? ty-90?
and also, how are the weapons carried? hopefully on actual wings rather than small stubs

do you guys knew what wz-10's ati tank ability and what the helicoper's payload, weapan and radar is?

Form most the source i heard, it can surpass cobra's ability but can't achive apache's speed and payload (correct me please).

What'd you mean? The Tiger is not bad at all. You can't expect a light copter to shoots 10 tonnes. Try getting a Hind to do a loop.
I am sure the HJ-8 and 9 are available, as current copters carry them.

But the different roles, CMH, naval..... Are you sure of that? Never heard of it.

I am sure the WZ-10 can surpass the early AH-1s, but not the new ones like the W or Z.

The Mi-28 and Ka-50/52 (Oh my God!!!!) are good copters, but as someone said, they are much heavier.

And China has its Hind counterpart already: the Mil-17s fitted with rockets are nearly as capable or better in different areas. Plus, the Hind isn't very manuverable, and can't carry troops and weapons at the same time.

MIGleader said:

So much for no oneliners...

Typhuang, i wasnt aware that the tiger(its design) had any troop carrying or naval abilities. Are you saying the wz-10 is sort of going to be a armored, armed wz-9 style design, that can be adapted for different missions? This rather differes from the common impression of the wz-10, which heavily resembles the tiger.

And other than the hj-10, what other weapons is the wz-10 projected to carry? ty-90?
and also, how are the weapons carried? hopefully on actual wings rather than small stubs

Click to expand...

sorry, I must have been a little unclear. I do not mean that you actually want to use WZ-10 as it is for troop carrying or naval mission. However, WZ-10 is basically a really advanced helicopter platform. It can be converted (to use less armour and such) so that it will be suitable for naval roles I think? At least I think CMH will serve this purpose. I'm assuming that CMH is developed in conjunction with WZ-10 and uses a lot of the technology developed for 10.

Another question is what China plans to do with EC-175. It seems to be not that much heavier than WZ-10/CMH. Similar in maximum liftoff weight and such.

because we need the experiende and knowledge to produce this kind of helicopter. we want to do it by ourselves. lol