Changhe Z-11WB Kuang 'Buzzard'

[ItssLuBu 1,803]

Changhe Z-11WB Kuang 'Buzzard'

 

 

History & Background

Developed by the Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation the Changhe Z-11WB is claimed to be the first helicopter solely developed by the PRC despite being largely based upon the Eurocopter AS350. Research into the construction of what was then a utility helicopter began towards the end of the 1980's with the first flight taking place in 1994 and entrance to service in 1998. Chief designer Wu Ximing is crediting with developing this particular helicopter, alongside others such as the CAIC Z-10 and his influence can be seen here through the use of CAD/CAM methods.

 

The Z-11WB variant is a new attack and recon derivative developed from the existing Z-11 with a redesigned cockpit and Electro-optics ball under the chin. Its missions incorporate ground attack, recon and command amongst others. With an overal length of around 13 metres this is a small helicopter with light weight and maximum take off weight in the region of 2,200kg. The redesigned cockpit which already provides excellent visibility, includes multi functional displays to reduce pilot workload and space for a sole pilot and three troops. These rear seats can be folded to incorporate door mounted weapons or for additional load space. Power comes from a WZ8D turbo-shaft engine a license built version of the Turbomeca Arriel 2B1A engine producing around 680 hp and giving a top speed just shy of 280 kph.

 

In Warthunder this could make a good mid rank helicopter for the Chinese Helicopter Tech Tree with similar if not better loadout options than something like the Gazelle.

 

 

Weaponary

 

 

Weaponary on the Z-11WB (as pictured above) consists of a multitude of both guided and unguided missiles and rockets. With three (one quad mount, 2 single) hardpoints and also potential for door mounted gatlin machine guns or grenade launchers options include;

 

TY-90 'Sky Swallow' Air to Air Missiles

TL-2 'Sky Dragon', AG-300 and CM-502KG air-to-surface missiles

BA-7 'Blue Arrow' and HJ-8 'Red Arrow' anti-tank guided missiles

FT-9 and YZ-212D guided bombs, as well as pods with unguided rockets

 

Specifications

 

 

General Information (As built)

Crew: 1

Capacity: 4 (refit)

Length: 11.24 m (36 ft 11 in) fuselage

13.01 m (43 ft) with rotors turning

Width: 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in)

Height: 3.14 m (10 ft 4 in) to top of rotor hub

Empty weight: 1,253 kg (2,762 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 2,250 kg (4,960 lb)

Fuel capacity: 423 kg (933 lb) maximum

Powerplant: 1 × Liming WZ-8 turboshaft engine, 510 kW (680 hp) for take-off

450 kW (603 hp) max. continuous

350 kW (469 hp) cruise

Main rotor diameter: 10.69 m (35 ft 1 in)

Main rotor area: 89.8 m2 (967 sq ft)

Blade section: NACA 0012

 

Performance

Top speed; 278 kph

Range: 680 km

Endurance: 4 hours 15 minutes

Service ceiling: 5,270 m (17,290 ft)

Rate of climb: 8.2 m/s at sea level

 

Armament and Weaponry

Door-mounted CS/LM12 7.62 mm miniguns or LG3 40 mm automatic grenade launchers

TL-2, AG-300 and CM-502KG air-to-surface missiles

BA-7 and HJ-8 anti-tank guided missiles

TY-90 air-to-air missiles

FT-9 and YZ-212D guided bombs, as well as pods with unguided rockets

 

Sources

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changhe_Z-11

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TY-90

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HJ-8

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TL-6#TL-2

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbomeca_Arriel

http://www.military-today.com/helicopters/z11wb.htm

http://www.military-today.com/missiles/hj8.htm

https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/changhe-z-11wb-reconnaissance-and-light-attack-helicopter/

Edited February 9, 2020 by ItssLuBu

[leroyonly 4,311]

Open for discussion. 

[Milocat 4,857]

+1, looks like a neat addition!

[Borotovas 4,500]

+1

[CubicSquare 156]

Nice +1

[Danzig A1@live 495]

+1 would be a neat upgrade over the current Z-11WA to see

[Arcadia_Nyx 811]

+1, but Blue Arrow 7 (which is the export version of AKD-10) should be disabled and implemented.

[csla1972 849]

+1