Military Knowledge: CAIC Z-10 attack helicopter

The CAIC Z-10/WZ-10 is a modern battlefield attack helicopter of the Chinese Army. It is intended to directly counter the threat as posed by enemy armor in a number of scenarios utilizing advanced technologies and guided munitions as well as indigenous armament types.

The Z-10 is primarily fitted with a 23mm autocannon in its turret which can be replaced by the optional 30mm fitting, 30mm/40mm automatic grenade launcher or a 14.5mm heavy-class Gatling minigun.
Across the four available hardpoints can be fitted various air-launched munitions including the HJ-8 anti-tank wire-guided, HJ-9 anti-tank, HJ-10 anti-tank, TY-90 air-to-air, PL-5 short-range air-to-air, PL-7 air-to-air and PL-9 short-range air-to-air missiles. As with other attack helicopters of this class, the Z-10 is cleared to carry rocket pods and these arrive in 57mm or 90mm unguided forms.

Specifications:
Crew: 2
Length: 14.15 m
Height: 3.85 m
Empty weight: 5,100 kg
Gross weight: 5,540 kg
Max takeoff weight: 7,000 kg (

Powerplant: 2 × WoZhou-9 (WZ-9) turboshaft engines, 1,000 kW (1,300 hp) each
Main rotor diameter: 12 m
Maximum speed: 270 km/h
Cruise speed: 230 km/h
Range: 800 km
Service ceiling: 6,400 m
Rate of climb: 10 m/s

Guns: 1x 23 mm revolver gun or 1x 25 mm M242 Bushmaster chain gun
Hardpoints: 4 with a capacity of 1,500 kg
Rockets: 57 mm or 90 mm unguided rocket pods
Missiles: Up to 16 HJ-10 air to surface / anti tank / anti helicopter missiles. Up to 16 HJ-8, HJ-9 missiles
Up to 16 TY-90 air-to-air missiles
Up to 4 PL-5, PL-7, PL-9 air-to-air missiles