Z-10

Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2012
First Flight : April 29, 2003
Total Production : 370

Model Status Year Produced
Z-10 Active 2012 370



Z-10

Group : Attack Helicopters
Status : Active
Also Known As : Fierce Thunderbolt (Chinese nickname), WZ-10, Z-10ME
Origin : China
Contractor : Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation CAIC
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2012
First Flight : April 29, 2003
Total Production : 370

The Z-10 is an indigenous Chinese design for a dedicated attack helicopter equipped with armor plates, advanced sensors and weapons. Externally, the aircraft resembles the South Africa's Rooivalk and Italy's A129 attack helicopters. The Z-10 has a five-blade main rotor driven by two turboshaft engines and a four-bladed tail rotor. The two-man crew seats in tandem with the gunner in the front seat and the pilot in the back seat. The sensor package including FLIR, TV camera, laser designator and rangefinder are mounted at the nose along with a 23mm gun. The Z-10 can carry up to eight HJ-8E anti-armor guided missiles. Several prototypes have been built so far and the maiden flight was carried out April 2003. The Pentagon's China Military Power 2007 claims that Z-10 combat performance armed with HJ-8E missiles will be equal to Eurocopter's Tiger but still below that of AH-64 Apache.

The Z-10ME is a modified export version unveiled in 2018 and available for export beginning in 2024. Pakistan is expected to become the first operator of the new attack helicopter.

Operators
Country Status State Notes
ChinaActive 208/360
PakistanActive 3/10 Z-10ME
Specifications
Notes
Crew 2
Main Rotor Blades 5
Number of Engines 2
Tail Rotor Blades 4
Dimensions
Height 3.9 meter
Length 14.2 meter
Main Gun Caliber 30 millimeter
Main Rotor Diameter 12 meter
Mass
Empty Weight 5,100 kilogram
Max Takeoff Weight 7,000 kilogram
Performance
Ceiling 6,400 meter
Max Range 800 kilometer
Power
Max Power at TakeOff 3,200 hp
Speed
Climb Rate 10 mps
Cruise Speed 230 kph
Top Speed at High Altitude 270 kph
Gear
Air-to-Air Missiles
TY-90
Anti-Tank Guided Missiles
8
HJ-108
HJ-8E8
Turboshaft Engines
2

News

Wednesday, 21 February, 2024
China Promoting New Z-10ME Attack Helicopter for the Export Market

As China's independently developed Z-10ME attack helicopter made its overseas debut at the Singapore Airshow on Tuesday, analysts said that the helicopter has huge potential

Tuesday, 21 July, 2020
China Developing New Anti-Tank Missile for Z-10 Attack Helicopter

Chinese media reported last week the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had tested a new kind of air-to-surface missile for its attack helicopter fleet.

Monday, 17 February, 2020
Chinese People's Liberation Army Unveils Latest Z-10 Attack Helicopter Upgrades

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has unveiled its latest edition of the Z-10 attack helicopter, featuring exhaust openings that face upward instead of outward,

Monday, 26 November, 2018
Z-10ME Attack Helicopter Equipped with Infrared Depressor

China's made-for-export attack helicopter Z-10ME is equipped with a new infrared depressor that renders it more capable of evading enemy missiles, according to its manufacturer.

Thursday, 11 October, 2018
Chinese Z-10 Attack Helicopter Gets Improved Armor

The Chinese Z-10 attack helicopter is now equipped with extra armor involving graphene, a material that is strong and light, a Chinese military expert said on Wednesday after

Saturday, 24 February, 2018
Chinese Z-20 Military Medium-Lift Helicopter Getting Closer to Entry into Service

New online photos of China's Z-20 10-ton utility helicopter have sparked heated discussion on the Internet.

Saturday, 10 September, 2016
Chinese Army to Equip All Units with WZ-10 Attack Helicopters

An updated version of China’s WZ-10 combat helicopters will soon be assigned to all ground force aviation units, according to the China Daily.

Friday, 11 September, 2015
China Developing Fourth Generation Combat Stealth Helicopter

Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC) has confirmed it has started the development of a fourth-generation attack helicopter with “stealth capability”; it will “feature supreme

Monday, 26 August, 2013
Chinese WZ-10 Attack Helicopter Launches First Air-to-Air Missile

GUANGZHOU, Aug. 26 (Xinhua) -- China's first self-developed modern military attack helicopter WZ-10 has launched its first air-to-air missile and successfully intercepted

Friday, 3 May, 2013
Chinese Army Z-10 Attack Helicopters Tested during Drills

BEIJING, May 3, (ChinaMil) -- Army aviation troop units of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) staged an air confrontation drill of armed helicopters at the end of

Photo Gallery

Notes

* Prime Contractor
State Latest Known holdings/Original Procurement
Com - Date of Commissioning
Decom - Date of Decommissioning

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