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23 May 2024
by Akhil Kadidal
The
PLA Daily
published an image on 20 May 2024, showing a Harbin Z-20 with an EO/IR pod in the nose and stub wings for weapons, suggesting that the PLA may have inducted an armed/assault version of the helicopter.
(PLA Daily/US DoD/Janes)
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has revealed that it has developed a new armed assault variant of China’s Harbin Z-20 utility helicopter.
Images of the new variant were published in the PLA Daily newspaper on 20 May 2024 in connection with a report on an NCO serving with the PLA’s 76th Group Army as a flight mechanic.
The photograph showed two Z-20s in flight, out of which the aircraft in the foreground was equipped with high-mounted stub wings (each with possibly two underwing hardpoints) and an electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) pod in the nose. The PLA Daily captioned the photo as “a new type of domestic helicopter flying with iron wings”.
The photograph also showed the aircraft in PLA colours, albeit without a serial number. It is unclear if the aircraft has entered military service.
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