The Harbin Z-20 medium-lift helicopter of China has been compared to the US Navy's Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, which is thought to be a perfect copy. But as things stand, the Chinese had made improvements to this US platform that may include enhancements. Helicopter images have circulated on Chinese social media and are now in widespread service.
Chinese Harbin Z-20 a Copy of US Army's Aircraft
Sources say that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has been developing this 10-ton helicopter started in 2006 and flew on December 23, 2013, reported View60s.
According to some sources, China has begun developing this type of helicopter in the early years of the 21st century. The first exhibition of these choppers was at the 2019 Tianjin Chinese Air Show, where they were shown several units.
Visitors to the show thought the Z-20 was a complete copy of the UH-60, which is the most used medium-lift helicopter in the US.
When Hong Kong was returned to China, there were S-70 Sikorsky helicopters in the Hong Kong search and rescue operations. Access to the S-70 Sikorsky, a demilitarized version of the Black Hawk that is the staple of the US army, cited Air-Force Technology.
It has more range to fly to Nepal than other PLA helicopters cannot do; the Z-20's mission is to search and rescue and transport. The Harbin Z-20 is supposed to be able to fly as far as Nepal, something that few Chinese helicopters have been able to do so far.
Another story is the People's Liberation Army Air Force got 24 S-70-C2s that were used in 1984, they should have been copied, but it was a violation of the sale. It is expected to be part of the PLAAF.
China's Z-20 Difference With UH-60 Blackhwak
The People's Liberation Army Navy will use this medium helicopter for naval use and mounted as an anti-submarine platform.
The engine exhaust and the Chinese character on the fuselage are different, and the main rotor is five blades compared to the four on the original. A five-bladed rotor allows it to fly at higher altitudes and better lift overall; fairing on engine exhausts and tail spine are antennas for the BeiDou satellite navigation system, noted Military Wiki.
Powered by a China-made WZ-10 turboshaft engine with 2,145 horsepower over the older GE T700-701D. A new transmission system with Eurocopter's help enables ops at 4000 meters.
It has the same configuration as the UH-60, including the twin-engine including the main and tail rotor setup. Weapons armed are machine guns, rockets, and missiles with FLIR on the nose.
Another version planned is the naval version of the multi-use helicopter in development, which can be used on destroyers and aircraft carriers. Another copter called the Harbin Z-9 is a copy of the Eurocopter for other warships, but the Black Hawk clone is better or as good as the original.
The Harbin Z-20 is more than a reverse engineer version with improved avionics and systems, making it more than a copy.
Related Article: Xian H-20: China's New Stealth Bomber Built To Match America
