New Chinese helo - Z-20 based on S-70?

[chopper2004]

Z-20 (http://chinese-military-aviation.********.nl/p/helicopters-iii.html)

Also on Combat Aircraft issue this month, it was mentioned there was a sighting of a helo fuselage in the test rig at Xian-Yanliang late last year. The vague (ish) description says it resembles a modified S-70 as they do have 20 odd in the inventory not sure how many are flyable, due to the then embargo. The Z-20 prototype could be flown by end of this year.

Cheers

[Ian Corrigible]

Oh dear. Wonder whether the Z-20 will have a lower noise signature (http://www.pprune.org/military-aircrew/450526-stealth-uh60-used-obl-raid.html#post6427524) than most Hawks... :suspect:

China still has at least three (http://bit.ly/19Pk1R5) of the original 24 S-70Cs acquired in 1984 operational.

I/C

[Ian Corrigible]

"Chinese Black Hawk clone Z-20 airborne," courtesy of Alert5 (http://alert5.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/141102q3io03rbdvrq2yrq.jpg):

http://i.imgur.com/E17DPK9.jpg

("Copy four main rotor blades, get fifth one free!" :E)

I/C

[500 Fan]

It looks like it might be more closely based on the Z-10 attack helicopter with only the cabin and forward fuselage being based on the S-70. Certainly the tailboom and main rotor seem to be from the Z-10. An interesting design.

500 Fan.