Breaking news
PLA's aviation brigade starts deploying WZ-10 attack helicopters in western China.
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World Aviation Defense & Security News - China
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PLA's aviation brigade starts deploying WZ-10 attack helicopters in western China
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An aviation brigade in western China has begun deploying WZ-10 armed helicopters, China's first generation of homegrown armed helicopters. This is just the most recent instance of the helicopter's deployment, as it has been widely deployed across the spectrum of Chinese aviation, according to the website of China’s Ministry of Defense.
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 A PLA CAIC WZ-10 attak helicopter |
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The WZ-10 "Fierce Thunderbolt" first flew in 2003, and the PLA and the PLAN currently flies around 80-100 helicopters.
The WZ-10 was built by Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation, with design input from Russia's Kamov Design Bureau. With its 23-mm cannon and over one ton of guided weapons including HJ-10 anti-tank missiles, 57-mm rockets and Tianjian 90 air-to-air missiles, the WZ-10 is China's frontline attack helicopter. Future upgrades for the Z-10 could include a millimeter wave radar similar to the American Longbow system, more powerful WZ-16 turboshaft engines to increase speed and armor, improved infrared and electronic countermeasures, and the ability to network with unmanned systems such as drones. |
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