China shows off assault, anti-ship helicopters

May 17, 2018

Asia Times:

A new variant of China’s Z-19 multirole reconnaissance/attack helicopter wrapped up its firing tests this week. This version of the Z-19 series, which entered service with the Chinese military in 2012, displayed its ultra-maneuverability, and its developer, state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), has placed high hopes on its marketability overseas.

This export model, the Z-19E, conducted multiple flight tests with air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles as well as rocket projectiles in precision attacks, witnessed by a group of foreign diplomats invited to observe the drill, according to People’s Daily.

The single-rotor Z-19E has a tandem cockpit and a narrow body with miniaturized and comprehensive avionics and weapons systems as well as a millimeter-wave fire-control radar on board, for multitasking in all-weather conditions. Specifically, the versatile helicopter has two pylon stores for rockets, gun pods, and eight HJ-8 or other anti-tank/air-to-surface/anti-ship as well as air-to-air missiles.

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