As reported by Shepard on February 20, 2024, the Chinese company Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) showcased the Z-10ME attack helicopter at the Singapore Air Show 2024. This model is an export-improved version of the original Z-10 and is characterized as a 6-ton all-weather, multi-purpose medium attack helicopter. It introduces several enhancements aimed at increasing performance and combat capabilities.
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The Z-10ME attack helicopter, in its final version, was presented for the first time at the Zhuhai Air Show 2018. (Picture source: Army Recognition)
The development of the Z-10ME was first acknowledged when it was displayed as a model at the 11th Zhuhai Air Show in November 2016. The helicopter has been part of significant events, such as the Dubai Air Show in 2017 and the 12th Zhuhai Air Show in November 2018, where it debuted as a complete aircraft. Its design includes a single-rotor with a tail rotor, a streamlined fuselage with a tandem cockpit, and a rear three-point landing gear layout.
According to information available in Chinese media, one of the notable changes in the Z-10ME is the upgrade from the WZ-9 engine to the new WZ-9G engine, increasing the power output from 1,250 hp to 1,500 hp. The helicopter also features improvements such as a new engine inlet design with a centrifugal separation sand filter, aimed at improving performance in sandy and windy environments. Additionally, the exhaust port has been repositioned upwards to reduce the helicopter's infrared signature by utilizing downwash airflow, which may enhance survivability against infrared-guided threats.
The Z-10ME has six additional pieces of armor around the fuselage and cockpit, aimed at enhancing protection against small-arms fire. It includes a set of countermeasures like infrared/ultraviolet alarms and laser countermeasures. The aircraft builds on the Z-10's avionics and fire control system by adding an active infrared jamming system and missile approach warning equipment on the short wings, intended to improve situational awareness and defense capabilities. The Z-10ME is also designed to carry jamming pods, which may be used for electronic warfare missions.
In terms of armament, the Z-10ME features a 23mm cannon and has four external hardpoints that allow for a payload capacity of up to three tons. This facilitates the helicopter's ability to carry a diverse range of weapons and ammunition including air-to-ground and anti-tank missiles, air-to-air missiles, gun pods, guided bombs, and small drones. It can accommodate up to 16 anti-tank guided missiles, four 7-barreled rocket launchers, or two 32-barreled rocket launcher pods, and is compatible with various munitions like the GB-25/50 guided bombs and 57mm unguided air-to-air rockets. The helicopter can also launch SW-6 drones and CM-501XA bombs.
Additionally, the Z-10ME incorporates a millimeter-wave radar system positioned above the main rotor. This system is intended to enhance the helicopter's targeting capabilities, enabling it to guide long-range anti-tank missiles and other munitions more effectively.
Chief Designer Wu Ximing has compared the Z-10ME to other helicopters in its class, such as the Russian Ka-52 and Mi-28, the American Apache, and the European Tiger. He notes that the Z-10ME is designed to compete in areas such as maneuverability, combat radius, and multitasking capability. Comparative analyses suggest that the Z-10ME has an operational range of 800 kilometers, which is compared to the Apache's reported range of 480 kilometers, alongside considerations of power-to-weight ratio and maneuverability.
