Within hours of opening the Helicopter China International Exposition, the Chinese have unveiled the export version of the all-weather Z-19E attack helicopter.
This is the release of the Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation: "The helicopter is able to provide offensive air support and destroy armored vehicles of any potential enemy with its air-to-surface weaponry, including HJ-8 anti-tank missiles, a cannon 23 mm and other systems. It can carry TY-90 air-to-air missiles for self-defense while the cockpit is armored. The aircraft can also carry out reconnaissance missions. Unlike its basic version, the new helicopter is equipped with systems immune to the enemy's electronic countermeasures. The Z-19E is equipped with stealth technology. Propulsion, rotor, tail and main systems are the same as the Harbin Z-19 ".
The 80 Z-19 Chinese lightweight helicopters built today will, together with the heavy Z-10, constitute the main component of the rotor aircraft's future attack. Although advertised as a stealth helicopter, the Z-19 adopts "acoustic stealthiness" to minimize the acoustic impact and discharges that screen the aircraft from infrared threats. A choice, that of a low noise impact, less expensive than the collocation (and continuous treatment) of absorbing radar materials that equip some (rotor and non-American) aircraft.
Similar in size to the OH-58 Kiowa, the Z-19 has a tandem configuration, with pilot (unlike the classic placement) in the front position and gunner in the back seat. The lines of the Z-19 are inspired by the Agusta A-129 and the Eurocopter Dauphin, although it is clear that the Chinese were at least inspired by the Japanese Ninja OH-1. The French influence is still evident, just think of the helicopter Z-9, Chinese version of the Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin built under license. As well as the Z-9, also the Z-19 / 19E, presents a tail solution Fenestron, a system that gives greater sound insulation, to guarantee the support of advances that will provide the Z-10 which will be the role of helicopter d ' heavy attack.
The Z-19 has an estimated range of 700 kilometers and a cruising speed of 245 kilometers per hour. Beyond the technical data and the main characteristics, some of which unknown, the Chinese have put on the market a potentially successful platform, considering the low cost. The Z-19E addresses precisely those countries that do not have big budgets and are looking for a cheaper alternative to heavy helicopters. It should be noted that the new Z-19 in service with the Chinese leave the assembly line with the radar installed above the main rotor, thus conferring the ability to launch fire-and-forget anti-tank missiles. The version for the foreign market does not provide this possibility, although it maintains part of the avionics of the Chinese regular model.
The battle name of the Z-19 is "Hei Xuan Feng", "Black Vortex". Hei Xuan Feng was the nickname of Li Kui, one of the 36 "Heavenly Spirits" protagonists of "The Brigands", one of the four great Chinese classical novels. The Z-10 assault helicopter also received the name of a "Heavenly Spirit": Pi Li Huo, nicknamed "Qin Ming", "Thunder".
(photo: MIL.HUANQIU.COM)
