WWW.ROTORHUB.COM VOLUME 36 NUMBER 1 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

DEFENCE

Role model MH-60R modernisation in detail

EYES ON THE SKY PLA PROGRESS TARGETING STRATEGIES Tracking technology Chinese helicopter programmes options

DH-01-17_OFC.indd 1 1/13/2017 1:34:56 PM DH-01-17_IFC.indd 2 1/13/2017 1:36:44 PM CONTENTS

Editor Tony Skinner 3 EDITORIAL COMMENT FEATURE [email protected] State of the nation 27 EYES ON THE SKY Tel: +44 (0)20 3179 2594 Widely used by commercial operators, Deputy Editor Helen Haxell 4 NEWS automatic helicopter flight tracking technology [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)20 3179 2597 • bulks up on is increasingly emerging into the military Asia-Pacific Editor • to deploy Tiger and NH90 to Mali domain. Gordon Arthur • RAF Kabul crash cause revealed [email protected] • Thai Army puts faith in Leonardo FEATURE Staff Reporters Beth Maundrill • Serbia signs for nine H145Ms 31 TARGETING STRATEGIES [email protected] Grant Turnbull A number of the world’s militaries are on the [email protected] FEATURE cusp of more advanced attack capabilities as Contributors 8 MODEL MASTERPLAN their helicopter fleets adopt the latest in missile Pieter Bastiaans, Gerrard Cowan, Peter Donaldson, Jim Dorschner, The USN’s MH-60R programme is looking ahead technology. Nicholas Fiorenza, Scott R Gourley, Alexander Mladenov, Sompong to mid-life upgrades and an eventual successor Nondhasa, David Oliver, Richard Scott, to help the platform move with the times. Barry D Smith, Babak Taghvaee, Alan FEATURE Warnes, Andrew White, Jim Winchester 37 PARALLEL LINES Production and Circulation Manager FEATURE appears to have developed two David Hurst [email protected] 14 INDIGENOUS DRIVE helicopters simultaneously, taking both the Z-10 Tel: +44 (0)20 3179 2579 China has struggled under Western embargoes and Z-19 models into service within a short time Sub-editors to raise its rotary game and is casting off foreign of each other. Adam Wakeling, Jenny Wright assistance to produce models domestically. Graphic Designer Kam Bains TAIL SPIN Commercial Manager FEATURE 40 MISSILE MANAGEMENT Anthony Wilkinson [email protected] 22 TAKING BACK THE NIGHT Col David Warnick, US Army Project Manager Tel: +44 (0)20 3179 2575 Developments in NVGs have allowed African, for Joint Attack Munition Systems within Junior Sales Executive Eastern European and Central American the Program Executive Office and Lance Golding [email protected] countries to reap the benefits of the technology Space, speaks to Beth Maundrill about the Tel: +44 (0)20 3179 2599 once enjoyed only by Western nations. Joint Air-to-Ground Missile programme. Editor-in-Chief Tony Skinner Head of Publishing Sales Mike Wild Managing Director Darren Lake Chairman Nick Prest Subscriptions Annual rates start at £65 Tel: +44 (0)20 3179 2592 Email: [email protected] Web: shop.shephardmedia.com Defence Helicopter is published six times per year by The Shephard Press Ltd, Saville Mews, 30 Saville Road, London, W4 5HG, UK. Subscription rates start at £65. Air Business Ltd is acting as mailing agent. Articles and information contained in this publication are the copyright of The Shephard Press Ltd and may not be reproduced in any form without the Page 37 written permission of the publishers. Print by Buxton Press, Derbyshire, UK Front cover: An MH-60R Seahawk drops a pallet of supplies on the flight deck of the LCS USS Fort Worth. (Photo: USN) © The Shephard Press Ltd, 2017 ISSN 1741-6043 The Shephard Press Ltd Saville Mews, 30 Saville Road, London, W4 5HG, UK SUBSCRIPTIONS Tel: +44 (0)20 3179 2570 9 industry-specific magazines (print and digital) 14 definitive data sets/handbooks (print and digital) Shephard Plus online – in-depth news, analysis and intelligence. To subscribe to our print and online services visit www.shephardmedia.com

WWW.ROTORHUB.COM VOLUME 36 NUMBER 1 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 DEFENCE HELICOPTER WWW.ROTORHUB.COM 1

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Tony Skinner, Editor State of the nation

Recent global events have cast the reduction immediate spotlight are: the VH-92A in military spending across the Western world Presidential Helicopter Replacement In the next issue of the past six or seven years in a stark light. programme; the USAF’s Combat Rescue Regarded as an obvious necessity by Helicopter and UH-1N replacement; and the • US Army upgrades various governments as they attempted to get longer-term Future Vertical Lift initiative. • Scout/light attack their houses in order after the financial crisis, Over the next 12 months, competing • Self-protection the subsequent erosion of military capability teams are expected to fly their vision of the brought about by deferred or cancelled next generation of rotorcraft under the Joint • Avionics defence procurements has proven a risky Multi-Role Technology Demonstration – Bell choice, following the posturing of China and with its V-280 tiltrotor and Sikorsky-Boeing and enduring insurgencies in with the SB>1 coaxial compound. several new requirements, with little detail on Afghanistan and Iraq. Internationally, several key procurements how these would be taken forward. Helicopter Should the defence budget floodgates will need to advance during 2017 to meet executives in will be hoping for some open around the world in 2017, however, the the inescapable deadline of legacy aircraft clarity from the government in 2017, as well trends evident across the military rotorcraft going out of service. as several other Eastern European countries sector in recent years are unlikely to change An RfP is expected to be issued by the with pressing needs to replace Soviet-era any time soon. German government for its heavy vertical rotorcraft. An under-investment in rotorcraft R&D has lift requirement. Berlin is considering both Elsewhere, modernisation continues apace meant the lion’s share of operations are still the Sikorsky CH-53K and Boeing CH-47 in many countries that have smaller overall being carried out by helicopters of 1970s and Chinook. With the NH90 Sea Lion naval fleets or less constrained defence budgets, 1980s design, with technical capability gaps multirole helicopter currently being readied with several Middle Eastern nations in easily visible across the board. to replace the German Navy’s Sea King particular currently seeking further US-made In particular, degraded visual Mk 41 fleet, the type is also in the frame helicopters through the Pentagon’s FMS environments – a common theme across for potential future selection as a Sea Lynx mechanism. these pages – continue to hamper replacement. The first export contract for the Bell-Boeing operations, while newer technologies such For any ASW helicopter requirement, the V-22 tiltrotor is also advancing, with the initial as autonomous systems, the latest NH90 is likely to be up against the Leonardo fuselage for Japan currently on the production survivability suites and advances in avionics AW159 Wildcat, which the German Navy will line at Boeing’s Philadelphia facility. are far from being fully exploited. see up close and personal in 2017, when the Western manufacturers are unlikely to UK deploys the aircraft on board a have things all their own way in 2017, US initiatives German frigate in the Mediterranean. however. Russian Helicopters has been The US has a range of programmes to increasingly successful on the international address many of these shortfalls, which will Cancelled contract market, Korea Aerospace Industries is soon come under the control of the incoming In Poland, meanwhile, the government’s marketing its Surion internationally (in Trump administration, seemingly hell-bent on helicopter renewal strategy fell into farce conjunction with ) and re-evaluating the Pentagon’s flagship when it ended H225M contract talks with China’s domestic helicopter capability is now procurement programmes. Among the Airbus Helicopters in October 2016. The maturing to the point where it will become a rotorcraft projects that may fall under the defence ministry then promptly announced contender in certain markets. ▪

WWW.ROTORHUB.COM VOLUME 36 NUMBER 1 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 DEFENCE HELICOPTER 3

DH-01-17_p03_Comment.indd 3 1/13/2017 1:42:33 PM NEWS bulks up on helicopters On 22 August 2016, the air force officially Myanmar has been linked with a first export Photo: Myanmar Air Force welcomed two Y-8F-200W transport aircraft purchase of the Chinese-Pakistani JF-17 and ten Grob G 120TP trainers into service. fighter, although official confirmation has not In June 2015, the MAF received a batch of yet been made. The MAF anticipated receiving various helicopters, including one Mi-35P, at three Yak-130 advanced jet trainers by the end least three Airbus Helicopters AS365 Dauphin of 2016, and it is reported to be interested in 2s and three Jet Ranger IIIs. Also more Mi-17V-5s. commissioned were examples of the Doing business with the Myanmar military is Beechcraft 1900D and Grob G 120TP. a sensitive issue due to its human rights The Myanmar Air Force (MAF) inducted four The Dauphins were assigned to SAR, abuses and arms embargoes in force. Airbus Helicopters H120s in a ceremony to medevac and maritime reconnaissance However, in September, the then President mark the service’s 69th anniversary on 15 missions, while the Bells are basic trainers for Barack Obama said the US was ‘prepared to December. These are believed to be the first pilots transitioning to the Mi-2, Mi-17 and lift sanctions that we have imposed on Burma Colibri types to enter service in the country. Mi-35. [Myanmar] for quite some time’. He was At the same event at Meiktila Air Base in The MAF operates an eclectic rotary-wing presumably referring to economic sanctions. central Myanmar, the air force commissioned fleet consisting of the Bell 205, Bell 206, Mi-2, Nevertheless, US embargoes over military four Beechcraft 1900D aircraft, Mi-8/17, Mi-35, Dauphin 2, Alouette III and platforms are likely to remain for longer. adding to several already in service. W-3 Sokol, but the airworthiness of Myanmar’s However, China has had no such Notably, Vice-Senior Gen Soe Win, the hotchpotch fleet is poor. compunction about selling military equipment Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence In June, DH reported online that Russian to the Myanmar armed forces. Myanmar is Services, revealed at the ceremony that the Helicopters had been awarded a contract to known to be operating up to a dozen CH-3A MAF had received a total of 69 aircraft spread repair four Mi-35Ps. The first will be UAVs, for example. Chinese-built K-8W aircraft over eight batches since 2011. This figure repaired in Russia, while the remaining are also being used in counter-insurgency included 14 helicopters of four types and 55 three will be worked on in Myanmar by missions. fixed-wing aircraft of six types. Russian technicians. By Gordon Arthur, Hong Kong

Germany to deploy Tiger and NH90 to Mali On 11 January, the German government deployed Chinooks. The German helicopters Germany is also supporting MINUSMA approved the deployment of four Tiger will be deployed to Mali between spring with a Heron 1 UAS. For example, it provides attack and four NH90 medevac helicopters 2017 and mid-2018 to fill in the gap until real-time imagery of the routes to be taken to Mali to replace the Royal Air the UN comes up with an international by Bangladeshi convoys, with irregularities Force (RNLAF) Apaches and Chinooks being rotation solution. on the ground which could be a sign of IEDs withdrawn. The Apaches have been deactivated since communicated by the Heron 1 ground Deployment is subject to parliamentary 1 January and are being airlifted back to the station to the Bangladeshis. approval for raising the ceiling on German Netherlands. In December, German Defence A total of Six Bangladeshis have died troops in Mali from 650 to 1,000. Minister Ursula von der Leyen said that the in Mali, with most of their casualties Based in Gao, the helicopters will support country’s helicopters would be used to build attributed to IEDs. the UN Multidimensional Integrated up the rescue chain. The heavier RNLAF Apaches have Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), This chain currently consists of medevac conducted reconnaissance with their which the describes as the by a protected vehicle or Chinook to a Franco- onboard sensors, supported ground troops, UN’s most dangerous peacekeeping German-Dutch Role 1 or French Role 2 flew shows of force and provided fire mission. hospital in Gao, with more seriously wounded support. One of these Apaches was lost in The Tigers will provide protection to the evacuated to Europe by a Luftwaffe C-160 an accident in 2015. NH90s, as did the RNLAF Apaches to the medevac or similar French aircraft. By Nicholas Fiorenza, Brussels

4 DEFENCE HELICOPTER JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 VOLUME 36 NUMBER 1 WWW.ROTORHUB.COM

DH-01-17_p04-06_News.indd 4 1/13/2017 2:11:43 PM NEWS RAF Kabul crash cause revealed

An investigation into the crash of an RAF features to the extent that they lost sight of Puma HC2 in Afghanistan last year has found their leader, resulting in the formation integrity that the crew lost situation awareness while breaking down,’ said the director general of the attempting to land, causing the helicopter to Defence Safety Authority in his report strike the tether of a surveillance aerostat. summary. Five crew and passengers died when the ‘In trying to regain visuals, the crew lost platform impacted a persistent threat situation awareness to the point that they detection system (PTDS) and subsequently entered the PTDS Danger Area and struck the crashed within the perimeter of NATO HQ in tether,’ he added. An RAF Puma HC2. (Photo: UK MoD) Kabul. The aircraft (XW229) had been flying The PTDS was located in the southeast in formation with another Puma (ZJ955), corner of the NATO HQ and was one of which was acting as the lead aircraft, on a three operating in the Kabul area to provide shaft (TRDS), leading to a catastrophic sortie originating from Hamid Karzai ISR. All three PTDS had danger areas failure and loss of power to the tail rotor International Airport. established around them. Investigators itself. ‘Essentially, the crew had little control As the two platforms approached NATO HQ, determined that the helicopter impacted of the helicopter following the TRDS failure the crew of XW229 (A22) lost sight of the lead the tether and damaged the tail cone as it and it was very fortunate that the aircraft Puma. The report indicated that prior to this, pulled the tether along. The tether came down in the street rather than on a the crew of the ill-fated aircraft had become eventually snapped under force, rather than building,’ the report states. preoccupied with ground features and being ‘cut’ by the rotor blades. Three upgraded Puma HC2s arrived in restrictions that were in place to avoid flying Examination of the wreckage suggested Afghanistan in early 2015 to support the UK’s over the Presidential Palace in Kabul. ‘The that the tether had not interacted with the contribution to NATO’s Resolute Support sortie ran well up until the point that the crew tail fin, tail rotor gearbox or tail rotor, but had mission. of A22 focused their attention on ground significantly weakened the tail rotor drive By Grant Turnbull, London Thai Army puts faith in Leonardo Leonardo Helicopters delivered six AW139s and general transport missions. This On 19 August the RTA signed a contract to the (RTA) in December, battalion also has UH-1Hs, UH-1H with Leonardo to buy five AW149 medium raising the number of units in service to gunships and H125M platforms in service. helicopters with a budget of $92.8 million, ten. Additionally, the RTA has ordered five The RTA began purchasing AW139s in set for delivery in 2017. They will be used for AW149s to replace ageing UH-1Hs that are 2012, with the first two units – ordered for utility, SAR, EMS and troop transport tasks. being phased out of service. $37 million – now deployed on VIP Derived from the AW139, the AW149 The six AW139s were ordered last year transport missions in the Department of has a larger fuselage and more powerful for $80 million to serve the 1st Aviation Army Transportation. A further two were engines, resulting in a greater cargo Battalion Army Aviation Centre for utility later ordered. volume and payload capacity. It can carry 18 troops and has a maximum speed of 169kt. Earlier this year, the RTA received six H145Ms from Airbus Helicopters for use as VIP transport platforms. Currently, the RTA has other new types such as the UH-72A Lakota and H125M, but it still requires more than 30 new helicopters to replace a fleet of more than 100 UH-1Hs that are gradually being withdrawn. By Sompong Nondhasa, Bangkok

AW139s are replacing ageing UH-1Hs For more news, visit within the Royal Thai Army. (Photo: author) www.rotorhub.com

WWW.ROTORHUB.COM VOLUME 36 NUMBER 1 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 DEFENCE HELICOPTER 5

DH-01-17_p04-06_News.indd 5 1/13/2017 2:11:44 PM NEWS Serbia signs for nine H145Ms Airbus Helicopters has signed a contract with year when the Polish government cancelled maintenance centre for Serbia’s fleet of the Serbian government for the delivery of its proposed plan to purchase 50 H225Ms. Gazelles, will incorporate the newly acquired nine H145Ms (pictured above). The aircraft The delivery of the nine H145Ms is slated to helicopters into its fold for repair and overhaul will be received by the Serbian Air Force and begin at the end of 2018 and is anticipated to work in the long-term. Police. The order was authorised on 28 continue into 2019. The 3.7t platforms will be The air force currently operates around 47 December by the company and the Serbian deployed on a range of missions, including Gazelles within its multirole helicopter fleet MoD and Ministry of Interior, only two months SAR, medevac and combat operations. and in June 2016, Serbia’s MoD received two after the MoU was signed. The contract includes associated logistics Mi-17V5 medium military-transport The procurement deal will be welcome support as well as the transfer of technology helicopters. The latter purchase was direct news for Airbus Helicopters, which for the maintenance and repair of the from Russian Helicopters. experienced a setback towards the end of last rotorcraft. Moma Stanojlović, the current By Helen Haxell, London

Russian Navy gets refurbished Ka-29s The rotary-wing fleet of Russian Naval overhauled engines, main rotor columns As of December 2016, the Russian Navy Aviation (RNA) has been further and main gearbox. had only four Ka-29s in an airworthy state, strengthened with the delivery of a batch of The contract for the Ka-29 refurbishment out of about 20 units originally assigned to six Ka-29s on 21 December. These assault and restoration into airworthy state was the four fleets and one training centre. transport helicopters, originally built in the around $7.14 million, according to the For example, the Northern Fleet had two 1980s, were overhauled at the Kumertau- Moscow-based Centre for Analysis of serviceable Ka-29s (deployed in October based KumAPE plant controlled by Russian Strategies and Technologies (CAST). 2016 on the Russian Navy’s sole aircraft Helicopters holding, and are set to be The Ka-29 is an armed derivative of the carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov, for operation in delivered to the Russian Pacific Fleet’s Ka-27 Helix family. The helicopter is mainly the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea). 7062nd Air Base at Vladivostok. used for support of assault operations but Meanwhile, the Yeysk combat training and In addition to the airframe can also be used for transport of troops aircrew conversion centre operated two refurbishment and repairs on an and military cargo, operating from Russian more of the type. as-needed basis, the helicopters received Navy ships. By Alex Mladenov, Sofia

Replacement has been stalled by the army VV-2 in Iranian due to budgetary constraints and sanctions. The aircraft has been designed for either helicopter market piloted or unmanned flight missions and is The first flying prototype of the VV-2 light equipped with a TS100 ZA engine helicopter was unveiled by Softex Aero at by PBS. The VV-2 can produce 190shp the eighth International Iran Kish Air Show continuous power in cruise speed and 245shp in November 2016. This latest achievement take-off power, equating to five minutes. of the Ukrainian company, which also The VV-2 can undertake various missions, manufactures the V-52 light helicopter, is a from surveillance to reconnaissance, and the high-speed, single-engine, two seat Photo: author unmanned variant can be used as a light (tandem) platform. scout/ for counter- The VV-2 has drawn the attention of a of a domestic production line for under- insurgency, counter-narcotics and counter- private Iranian company and two licence production of the helicopter at the terrorism missions in the east and southeast governmental Iranian companies – Iranian IAMI facility in Shahin-Shahr, or for assembly of the country. Helicopter Support and Renewal (IHSRC) and at the IHSRC facility in Tehran. Its aerodynamic shape bears some Iranian Aircraft Manufacturing Industries If these talks come to fruition, then the resemblance to the AH-1 attack helicopter. (IAMI), both of which are under subordination manned version of the platform will have the However, the company claims it has been of the Iranian Aviation Industries Organization. capability to be procured by Iranian Army developed for the civilian market, with a Negotiations have taken place regarding Aviation, which currently operates 132 range of usage from leisure activities to investment at the R&D phase of the VV-2. AB206s, and by the Iranian Police Aviation as aviation sports. Interest has been shown in the establishment a replacement for its ageing 206 JetRangers. By Babak Taghvaee, Ankara

6 DEFENCE HELICOPTER JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 VOLUME 36 NUMBER 1 WWW.ROTORHUB.COM

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DH-01-17_p07_Airbus.indd 7 1/13/2017 2:01:41 PM 12849-AH-NavalPanther-DefenseHeli-AD-205x273.indd 1 12/01/2017 16:52 PROGRAMME UPDATE

The USN will be in receipt of the final batch of MODEL MH-60Rs in 2018. (Photo: Lockheed Martin) MASTERPLAN The USN’s MH-60R programme is looking ahead to mid-life upgrades and an eventual successor to help the platform move with the times. By Gerrard Cowan

he USN first deployed the MH-60R The most recent batch for the service there’s a lot of consideration being given to Seahawk in 2009, and will receive was procured in FY2016, making a total of keeping those aircraft in service longer,’ he T its final scheduled deliveries of the 280 platforms, said Capt Craig Grubb, told DH. helicopter in the summer of 2018. While manager of the navy’s H-60 programme. the aircraft has been in service for some The final set of 29 MH-60Rs is known as Lead role years now, it continually receives upgrades Lot 14, and will be delivered in June 2018. Lockheed Martin is the lead industrial and modifications to allow it to adapt to an The acquisition is part of a rotorcraft partner in the MH-60 programme, having evolving operational environment. masterplan, designed to take seven acquired manufacturer Sikorsky in The Romeo variant is primarily focused different types and replace them with the November 2015. In addition, the company on ASW and ASuW, with secondary missions two MH-60 variants, and the programme is has long contributed to the helicopters in its including SAR and medevac. According almost complete. According to Grubb, the own right. to manufacturer Lockheed Martin, the SH-60F retired in the spring of 2016 and Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and platform – along with its sibling, the the SH-60B retired in 2015. Training equips the model with sensors MH-60S – has flown more than 650,000 There are still a few HH-60Hs remaining and advanced mission systems, while it hours across a 500-plus fleet. It is deployed in the fleet, which he said will be in service also produces the common cockpit with both the USN and a number of export through FY2019 and possibly longer. avionics. There have been various changes customers. ‘They’re pretty valued by the fleet, so to the aircraft over the years, said Tom

8 DEFENCE HELICOPTER JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 VOLUME 36 NUMBER 1 WWW.ROTORHUB.COM

DH-01-17_p08-12_Naval.indd 8 1/13/2017 2:03:53 PM PROGRAMME UPDATE

Kane, director of naval helicopters at helicopters’ Hellfire missile capability and The navy is looking Lockheed Martin. was aimed at addressing the threat posed ‘As the aircraft get delivered, [the navy by clusters of small vessels. ahead to a has] incorporated upgrades along the way, ‘That’s one of the primary weapons to mid-life upgrade of so the configuration of aircraft that we’re help combat the fast attack and fast the helicopters, which is delivering now is very much different inshore attack craft threat – large groups [compared with] the ones we first of small boats heading towards a high- scheduled for the delivered,’ he said. value unit or some other surface vessel,’ mid- 2020s. The biggest change with the Lot 14 he explained. aircraft will be the introduction of a moving Kane echoed this, saying the APKWS map capability, said Grubb, which would would allow a significantly greater volume enable bottom topography mapping for of fire. ‘Typically, what would happen is a ASW use. number of small boats would congregate, Kane said that a moving map capability with MANPADS, weapons, guns, whatever Typically, if new capability is added to the has been desired by the fleet for some time the threat might be, and they’ll approach a code, it requires a significant amount of and is likely to be seen in Lot 14 aircraft. large-value target. So this gives the navy testing across the code base to avoid any The introduction of this would boost better fire capability.’ unforeseen impacts. ‘By modularising the situation awareness. ‘The crews can see In addition to moving map and code, it makes that job to test new code a bottom topography of the ocean… they APKWS, the third element from a much easier, because you only really need know at what depths they’re operating,’ development standpoint is software to test the specific area of the code that he commented. modernisation, Kane said. The original you’re changing. So we’re in the process of The MH-60R has evolved over the years software that was delivered with the doing that as well.’ to address emerging threats. One of the aircraft is becoming obsolete. The most significant recent changes was the modernisation programme that Accepting the future addition of the BAE Systems Advanced Lockheed Martin is currently working on Part of the drive behind the software Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS). with the navy modifies language codes modernisation is to make the aircraft more ‘[The APKWS] turns a standard unguided and processing. adaptable to future changes, Kane said. 70mm rocket into a precision laser-guided ‘[It] updates some of that language and ‘They recognise that as threats evolve… rocket to give warfighters a low-cost surgical modularises the codes, so it breaks the There will be added capability that will be strike capability,’ said the UK company. code into smaller processing elements required to address those threats.’ APKWS has now been fielded for both that makes it cheaper to maintain and A more modern software architecture the MH-60R and MH-60S, said Grubb. upgrade.’ This would make modifications makes upgrades generally more affordable He believed this would augment the much simpler in the future, he explained. and less time-consuming, he said. ‘Modernising software architecture absolutely gives the navy capability to add In recognition of future threats, there has been a push on software modernisation on board the aircraft. (Photo: CAE) future upgrades. And future weapons, future IR countermeasure systems… Those are things that the navy looks at from a roadmap standpoint.’ Kane said the navy had been successful at developing roadmaps for the helicopters, to enable it to evolve as needed. ‘They recognise that the platform itself will be out there for a number of years… They certainly have been forward-looking, recognising they’re going to need to continue to invest in the platform.’ The commonalities between the Sierra and Romeo – such as their common cockpit – would save the service money on training and sustainment costs, said Kane. If a system becomes obsolete across both aircraft, he explained the next steps: ‘We pay for that one time, the navy pays for it one time, and they can get the benefit of that upgrade or capability or solving that

WWW.ROTORHUB.COM VOLUME 36 NUMBER 1 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 DEFENCE HELICOPTER 9

DH-01-17_p08-12_Naval.indd 9 1/13/2017 2:03:55 PM PROGRAMME UPDATE Seamless integration with “SKIMMER”

International customers of the MH-60 variant have benefitted from the USN’s investment in sensors and weapons for the platform. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)

obsolescence problem across the entire The company thinks of it as a production able to do so far with the Seahawk,’ fleet,’ as opposed to Sierra having one set line. Each partner, depending on how he said. of problems and Romeo having another. many aircraft it has or other factors, will ‘We definitely see opportunities over The scale of the MH-60 product line also have to pay for a certain percentage of the the next decade with other countries, spread these advantages more broadly, development cost, rather than the entire and continued improvements and Kane said, including internationally. capability. enhancements to the suite of training ‘As obsolescence issues occur, which This is particularly beneficial for smaller systems that the USN uses.’ they always will, you can solve that with an countries that might only have between five CAE provides simulators and trainers for upgrade and offer that to the entire and 20 aircraft, he said. ‘They’re really a number of roles for the USN’s MH-60R international community that participates in participating in the larger product line, and fleet. The primary focus is the Tactical the Romeo, versus just having a small it makes it much more affordable for them Operational Flight Trainer (TOFT), which is country maybe deal with that issue all by to get that capability.’ made up of two separate devices. themselves, because it’s budget The first is what the navy calls an prohibitive.’ Investment leverage operational flight trainer, Stellwag said – a The MH-60R currently has three major The MH-60R and MH-60S are enduring flight simulator to train the pilot and export customers – the Royal Saudi Naval platforms that are likely to be around for co-pilot on all they needed to know to Forces, the Royal Australian Navy and the decades, said Chris Stellwag, director of operate an aircraft: ‘All the kind of things Royal Danish Navy. marketing communications at CAE Defence you’d normally train a pilot and co-pilot for: IAI’s integrated modular Individual customers naturally have & Security, which provides the USN and emergency procedures and tactics.’ package optimized for your differing requirements for the helicopter. international customers with simulators The second element is a rear crew However, maintaining the same basic and other training devices for the aircraft. trainer, or a weapons tactics trainer, which naval helicopter missions software lowers the development costs for ‘One of the advantages for foreign is designed to train the sensor operators partners, a particular advantage for militaries when they acquire a platform on the variety of equipment that is • Proven IAI naval mission systems countries that may only require a handful of like that is they’re getting the benefit of included in the aircraft. ‘In many respects, aircraft, Kane pointed out. the significant investment the USN is that’s the real mission of the helicopter: • Systems integration experience on a The common software makes it easier making in the continual upgrades and finding submarines, prosecuting them, wide range of helicopters, to meet the and less expensive to add on new enhancements to a fleet of 500-plus ASW, that sort of thing.’ most demanding operational capabilities. ‘Say there’s a new joint air-to- helicopters,’ he told DH. The two training devices can be requirements surface missile available, that we want to This meant that international customers networked together to form a TOFT, ‘so • Tailored packages to meet integrate on the platform… It could be were able to leverage the investment the the full crew can practice and rehearse specific requirements offered to the other international partners USN is making in enhancing the aircraft, the type of mission that they’re going to and developed and tested once, because through new sensor suites, weapon do together’, he explained. cost-effectively it’s on the same software.’ systems or countermeasures, for example. However, they can be used separately, This meant that the development of a Additionally, it boosted interoperability as required. The navy does this to provide new capability did not have to be paid for with their US ally. Stellwag said the routine training for those learning to fly the multiple times across multiple international helicopter was an attractive, low-risk and helicopter, or rear crews practising with partners, Kane said. ‘We pay for it once, cost-effective platform. ‘We’re always their different sensor packages. and the cost of that non-recurring conscious of maintaining strong positions Separately, CAE also provides SEE US AT development is really shared across all in platforms that we think are enduring, equipment designed to train the maintainers AERO INDIA 2017 international partners,’ he explained. and that’s what we’ve successfully been of the helicopter’s avionics suite. Pavilion, Hall A www.iai.co.il [email protected] AVALON AIR SHOW 2017 10 DEFENCE HELICOPTER JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 VOLUME 36 NUMBER 1 WWW.ROTORHUB.COM

DH-01-17_p08-12_Naval.indd 10 1/13/2017 2:03:58 PM Seamless integration with “SKIMMER”

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DH-01-17_p08-12_Naval.indd 11 1/13/2017 2:03:58 PM PROGRAMME UPDATE

Simulators like these are necessary, navy’s suite of MH-60 training systems, It was necessary to address the Stellwag explained, because carrying out including training devices used for ‘obsolescence of technologies, circuit training on the actual aircraft is very door gunnery training and hoist boards and different things that go out of expensive and takes the helicopter out of operations, the release stated. The production’. Most militaries realise when use. ‘A simulated or virtual environment is a deal also covered the supply of two new acquiring both aircraft and training devices great learning environment, because you MH-60R TOFTs. that there is a life-cycle support cost can make mistakes and practice different The aim of the refresh programme is to involved, he added. procedures,’ he added. bring all the training devices to a common Looking ahead, Grubb said that a service baseline, on both the software and life assessment programme would be Refreshing change hardware side, Stellwag explained. If the carried out on both the Romeo and Sierra, As with the helicopters themselves, work is navy exercises various options, the with the MH-60S pencilled in for FY2017 and under way to upgrade the navy’s equipment programme will be valued at about $100 the MH-60R coming a few years after that. on the training side of the Romeo, as well million over several years. The navy expects to follow this with a as the Sierra, Stellwag said. He pointed to ‘Over the last decade, that helicopter service-life extension programme, which the MH-60R/S Tech Refresh programme, has gone through various upgrades and will look at a number of areas of the which was announced in February 2016. enhancements and additional capabilities, equipment, such as the airframe and the Under this contract, CAE will perform a so one of the important things in training components associated with the aircraft, ‘technology refresh’ on a variety of military aircrews is you want the training hydraulics, electrical systems, etc. simulators and training systems associated devices as closely as possible to be ‘It also has an interest in how you are with the helicopters, including TOFTs and concurrent with the aircraft you’re training doing from a performance standpoint, both weapons tactics trainers at NAS them for,’ he said. from an aircraft performance, mission Jacksonville, NAS North Island, NS Norfolk ‘The tech refresh programme is really systems and avionics backbone standpoint.’ and NS Mayport. designed to upgrade that suite of MH-60 In addition to this, the navy is looking According to a release at the time of the Seahawk training systems so that [they are] ahead to a mid-life upgrade of the award, the upgrades and updates include a concurrent with the fleet of helicopters that helicopters, which is scheduled for the mid- common hardware/software baseline for over the navy’s now operating.’ 2020s, around the same time as the life 20 MH-60 Seahawk training devices, Training devices need to be modified and extension work. It would therefore be converting an SH-60B helicopter simulator upgraded over time, Stellwag explained, as convenient to carry out both at once, as the into an MH-60 TOFT, and extending the visual with any piece of equipment. The life extension may include actual structural FoV on MH-60S operational flight trainers. simulators are typically in service for 25 to modification to the aircraft. For example, it Additionally, the company will be 30 years or even longer. As with the aircraft, could upgrade the avionics suite as part of responsible for the networking, over such a lengthy time period they do the mid-life upgrade while work is being interoperability, and integration of the need and enhancements. carried out on the life extension programme, Grubb said. The commonalities between the Sierra and Romeo – such as their common cockpit – will save the Pulling these different strands together navy money on training and sustainment costs. (Photo: CAE) made sense on a number of levels. ‘The challenge associated with that is that it’s a very large effort once you put that all together. But it makes sense from a timing perspective, as well as… [the] efficiency of doing the work in combination.’ The Seahawk was designed to be flexible for the remainder of the life of the aircraft. While the navy is in only the very early phases of exploring what a successor to the MH-60 might look like, there is an interest in being able to migrate the work done on the mid-life upgrade onto another platform at a later date. This would lead to ‘risk mitigation, at least, by doing some of that work early, if not being able to take that avionics suite, maybe mission systems from [the mid-life upgrade] and then migrate them to a follow-on air vehicle platform in the future’. ▪

12 DEFENCE HELICOPTER JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 VOLUME 36 NUMBER 1 WWW.ROTORHUB.COM

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DH-01-17_p13_FLIR.indd 13 1/13/2017 2:10:42 PM PLA

China has struggled under Western embargoes to raise its Helicopter – it was initially able to garner COTS technology from Western companies rotary game and is casting off foreign assistance to produce despite arms embargoes. This point is models domestically. By Gordon Arthur underscored by the fact that US authorities charged United Technologies in June 2012 for selling controlled items that aided the hina’s military, the People’s China even evaluated the Leonardo A129 Z-10’s development. Liberation Army (PLA), is the largest Mangusta, and had agreed to purchase Bell Subsidiary Pratt & Whitney C in the world, and such a force AH-1 Cobras from the US. However, the provided ten PT6C-67C in requires a considerable number of Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989 and 2001-02, plus another subsidiary, Hamilton helicopters. However, the PLA is still in the subsequent embargoes by the West Sundstrand, allowed six versions of military process of building up its rotary-wing fleet to immediately halted these efforts. electronic engine control software to reach suitable levels. The Z-10 from Changhe Aircraft China in 2002-03. The company paid a fine Although still reliant on Russian-built Industries Corporation (CAIC), entered the of more than $75 million for ‘making false aircraft, the country is now focusing stage rather furtively after the project and belated disclosures to the US predominantly on indigenous manufacture. kicked off in 1994. Although trumpeted as government about these illegal exports’. For a long time, the PRC has done so with an indigenous project, in fact it was Kamov The furore forced China to re-engine the licensed or copied designs from overseas, in Russia that helped design, test and verify Z-10 with twin WZ-9 turboshafts producing although in recent years, China has the Z-10’s airframe and propulsion. 1,340hp (meaning the Z-10 is somewhat amassed the experience and confidence to Since China initially cloaked it as a underpowered), a process that considerably develop more independent designs. civilian project – the China Medium delayed the programme. The table on p15 illustrates the range of helicopter types employed by the ground forces of the PLA, as well as by the air force (PLAAF) and navy (PLAN). The listed numbers are estimates only, due to the opaqueness surrounding China’s military. Indigenous Foreign assistance In consideration of China’s attack helicopters, in the 1980s the country acquired a handful of Aérospatiale Gazelles armed with drive HOT missiles, to study how to The Z-19 is a tandem-seat attack helicopter that utilise helicopters to defeat offers a lighter capability than the Z-10. These enemy armoured formations. examples are from the army’s Thunder aerobatic team pictured in Tianjin. (All photos: author)

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However, as the WZ-9 engine is Current inventory of the PLA helicopter fleet indigenously developed, China need not PLA PLAAF PLAN fear foreign-imposed embargoes. There is Z-10 91 Z-10K 3+ Z-18/Z-18F/Z-18J n/a talk that the 2,010hp WZ-16 engine, a Z-9W/Z-9WA/ Chinese-built Turbomeca Ardiden 3C to be 52+ Mi-171 10 Z-8/Z-8J/Z-8JH 24+ Z-9WZ used on the AC352, could one day find its Z-19 105 Z-8K/Z-8KA/Z-8KH 28 Ka-28 14 way onto the Z-10. Z-8A 53 AS332/EC225 8 Ka-27PS 3 The Z-10’s maiden flight occurred in April Z-9/Z-9B/ Mi-17/Mi-17V-5 44 55+ Ka-31 9 2003, and first deliveries to army aviation Z-9WZ/Z-9ZH units took place around 2009. Due to the Mi-171/Mi-171E 204 Mi-8 8 PLA’s secretive nature, it is impossible to S-70C-2 20 Z-9C/Z-9D 29 know how many Z-10s are in service, but it AS332 L1 6 could be around 90 units. The service Z-9B/Z-9ZH/DZ-9 50+ confirmed last September that it was being H120 Colibri 34 operated by every major army aviation unit, Z-11 46 for example, six brigades and four regiments designed to support the five theatre commands. (90mm or 57mm), missiles or gun pods China International Aviation & Aerospace (7.62mm, 12.7mm, 14.5mm or 23mm). Exhibition in Zhuhai November 2016. A Public unveiling Under the nose is a cannon, presumably Z-10K of the PLAAF, cloaked in a three- The Z-10 was the first Chinese helicopter to of 23mm calibre. A Norinco subsidiary has colour camouflage scheme, was shown to adopt hands on throttle-and-stick and a developed a mast-mounted optronic system the public for the first time. holographic helmet-mounted sight is also and millimetre-wave fire control , It is believed that the 15th Airborne standard fare. A stub wing either side of the although its development was too late to be Corps of the PLAAF has flown the Z-10K fuselage has two hard points capable of fitted on early Z-10s. since 2014, with development kicking off carrying four missiles each. Alternative The next phase of the Z-10’s around 2011. The PLAAF stated the Z-10K’s weaponry able to be fitted includes rockets development was made patent at the 11th missions were ‘mainly for attacking

The Z-9C is a navalised, look-alike version of the Dauphin. It is the primary helicopter embarked aboard major warships of the PLAN, and it is seen here on a Type 054A frigate.

WWW.ROTORHUB.COM VOLUME 36 NUMBER 1 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 DEFENCE HELICOPTER 15

DH-01-17_p14-20_China.indd 15 1/13/2017 2:14:39 PM PLA The Z-8 is an important platform, despite it being only a reverse- engineered copy of the decades-old Super Frélon. This is a Z-8KA of the PLAAF, on this occasion being used to carry parachutists.

ground targets such as hostile tanks and p37), which made its public debut at Airshow In January 2014, a Z-19 fitted with a armoured vehicles, and [it] can provide China 2012 in Zhuhai. It emanates from the mast-mounted active millimetre-wave direct fire support to ground troops’. Harbin Aircraft Industry Group (HAIG) and its radar was witnessed, probably allowing Other functions specific to the PLAAF lineage reveals direct descent from the armed anti-tank missiles to be launched in fire- include escorting CSAR helicopters, Z-9W, although it was completely redesigned and-forget mode. supporting airborne operations by with a tandem-seat cockpit. An estimated 105 Z-19s have entered paratroopers, and patrolling important air This connection is most obvious in its PLA service to date. A modified Z-19 variant force bases and sites to prevent infiltration fenestron tail, which has the advantage of broke cover at the 3rd China Helicopter or ground attack. dampening noise levels but the drawback Exposition in Tianjin in September 2015. The Z-10K in Zhuhai was exhibited of a higher power requirement and HAIG is squarely targeting this aircraft, alongside Blue Arrow 7 and AG-300M air-to- maintenance cost and greater aerodynamic designated the Z-19E, at the export market. ground missiles, plus Norinco BRM1 90mm resistance and weight. Positioned as a lower-cost alternative to guided rockets. The Z-19 was deliberately developed as a Western and Russian rotorcraft, it may The PLAN Marine Corps does not light attack helicopter, as an alternative to appeal to countries with limited defence currently possess any organic air support, the more expensive Z-10. Essentially, it gives budgets. At the time of writing, no Z-19E instead relying on the PLAN. It is possible the PLA a high-low mix of attack helicopters. sales had been recorded. that the navy could eventually adopt the First confirmation of the new Z-19 platform Tantalising but vague news appeared on Z-10 too, with the type known to have occurred in 2010, while its maiden flight was Chinese websites last November, promising conducted deck trials about a landing ship supposedly achieved in 2011. the rollout of a new attack helicopter that is in 2014. The Z-19 is protected by armour in key more advanced than the Z-10. It is Under a January 2015 agreement, the areas but, unlike the Z-10, there is no chin- supposed to appear within two years, Army took receipt of three Z-10s mounted weapon system. Instead, weapons although no further details are known. gifted by China. China’s ‘donation’ are mounted on two stub wings containing helicopters served two purposes. If the Z-10 two hardpoints each. The Z-19 is powered Stepping stone proves successful in counter-insurgency by twin WZ-8A (some sources say WZ-8C) A backbone of the PLA inventory is HAIG’s operations, it could encourage Pakistan engines, these being a licensed version of Z-9, used for both multirole and light attack and other potential operators to order more the Turbomeca Arriel unit. missions. The Z-9 was the result of a examples. Secondly, it provides the Chinese It can operate by day or night and under commercial venture with Aérospatiale that military important feedback from actual all weather conditions. The Z-19 performs began in 1980, enabling China to license- combat to inform future developments. scout and observation missions while the produce the AS365 N Dauphin 2. Z-10 would be responsible for countering The updated Z-9B first flew in 1992, Light attack enemy armoured vehicles. However, with its using upgraded engines and 70% Chinese The Z-10 has a sidekick in the shape of the range of armaments, the Z-19 offers a components. This programme was a key Z-19 light attack helicopter (see feature on decent amount of fire support. stepping stone that gave China access

16 DEFENCE HELICOPTER JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 VOLUME 36 NUMBER 1 WWW.ROTORHUB.COM

DH-01-17_p14-20_China.indd 16 1/13/2017 2:14:42 PM The Superior Solution

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DH-01-17_p14-20_China.inddM-17-0004 Defence Helicopter AW101 17 CSAR.indd 1 1/16/201716/01/2017 1:01:58 12:12:08 PM IMD0570-16_TradeVisitorAd205x273_ShephardMediaTest.pdf 1 16/12/2016 4:49:08 PM

PLA

to dual-use technology, and the Z-9 soon missiles, 23mm cannon and TY-90 air-to-air Given the EU embargo on supplying become a key military helicopter for the missiles. military equipment to China, DH asked PLA. The Z-9 differs from the AS365 N in The Z-9WA has a greater weapon Safran Helicopter Engines about the use of that the tail rotor has 11 blades rather than carriage capacity than the preceding Z-9W, licensed engines on PLA helicopters. The the latter’s 13. It is indisputable that although it was still a stop-gap measure company responded: ‘These rotorcraft are China’s pathway to establishing a viable until the Z-10 and Z-19 entered service. The powered with a WZ-8 variant, which is a helicopter manufacturing industry has been Z-9WZ is yet further improved, with a better licence-built Arriel engine. greatly aided by . fire control system and laser designator ‘This licence was established before the The Z-9B is the standard utility version that enables it to fire newer missiles. export control measures were put in place, employed by the PLA and PLAAF, but and the WZ-8 engine is now a 100% a number of other variants have been Export success Chinese-built engine, with no Safran added over the years. For example, a The DZ-9 model, of which there are only a Helicopter Engines content inside.’ completely new type debuted in Hong small number, is modified for electronic A spokesperson pointed out: ‘Safran Kong in May 2011. Designated the Z-9ZH, warfare missions, particularly Helicopter Engines strictly complies with all this C2 platform received a longer, bulbous communications jamming. The Z-9C is a regulations concerning its import and nose with a FLIR system from Luoyang shipborne version used by the PLAN. export activities for military and dual (civil/ Electro-Optics. Equipped with a nose radar and having the military) technologies.’ The other main difference is in the ability to carry torpedoes, the navalised DH also asked for an explanation from cabin, where standard seat rows have Z-9C commonly operates aboard Chinese Airbus Helicopters about continued been modified to accommodate a warships. The follow-on Z-9D can carry four production of the Dauphin-derived Z-9 for digitised command console with radio light anti-ship missiles such as the C-701 the PLA. The company responded: ‘Airbus sets and multifunction display. The on external pylons. Helicopters is strictly adhering to the EU Z-9ZH’s endurance is listed by the PLA as Harbin has exported more than 50 Z-9s arms embargo on China, and Airbus being three hours 40 minutes, or with a to , Bolivia, Cambodia, Helicopters has no licence production range of 770km. Cameroon, Ghana, , Laos, Mali, agreement in place for military helicopters There are armed versions, too. The Z-9W Mauritania, Namibia, Pakistan and Zambia. in China.’ entered service in around 1989, while the Export versions are believed to be typically This explanation implies that the Z-9 is improved Z-9WA inducted in 2004 offered powered by Safran Arriel 2C turboshaft completely indigenised and that it is not night-fighting capabilities and a nose- engines, while rotorcraft for the PLA are licensed any more. Airbus Helicopters thus mounted FLIR. These armed platforms can powered by locally produced WZ-8 engines denies any contribution to its production. carry 57mm or 90mm rocket pods, developed via the Turbomeca (Beijing) 12.7mm machine guns, HJ-8 anti-tank Helicopter Engines Trading Company. Transport and rescue The medium-weight Z-8 from CAIC is another obvious copy of a French design, this time A mainstay of the PLA rotary-wing inventory is the Harbin Z-9, originally a licensed copy of the Aérospatiale’s SA 321Ja Super Frélon, of AS365N Dauphin 2. Pictured here is a Z-9ZH command variant in Hong Kong. which China bought 13 in the 1970s. Despite being certified back in 1999, the PLA refused for a long time to accept the Z-8 into service, owing to its poor reliability. Nevertheless, it began to enter widespread service in 2007 with the introduction of the improved Z-8K and Z-8KA – SAR and transport variants respectively. They are thought to be powered by WZ-6G engines. Since 2011, the PLA ground forces have adopted a number of Z-8Bs for transportation roles. The Z-8KH is another version, operated by the Hong Kong Garrison since 2011. A rescue hoist and under-nose FLIR system are fitted. The model has an endurance of three hours 55 minutes and a combat range of 720km. Its top speed is 130kt and its maximum payload is 5,000kg. The PLAN has several other Z-8 transport

and SAR variants in service, but these Official Show Daily Partner

18 DEFENCE HELICOPTER JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 VOLUME 36 NUMBER 1 WWW.ROTORHUB.COM

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DH-01-17_p14-20_China.indd 19 1/13/2017 2:14:45 PM PLA

are expected to be replaced by the Z-18. In addition to an army Z-18A transport During an ASEAN exercise last variant, naval Z-18J AEW and Z-18F ASW A backbone September, the PLAN pushed a burning Z-8 subtypes exist. The Z-18F can carry four of the PLA off the deck of Changbai Shan, a Type 071 sonobuoy launchers, a dipping sonar and landing platform dock ship, and into the four 324mm torpedoes or light anti-ship inventory is HAIG’s sea. The helicopter with a fire on board had missiles on two external pylons. made a forced landing, and when fuel The rotorcraft also has a nose-mounted Z-9, which is used started leaking the decision was taken to surface surveillance radar, plus a FLIR jettison it overboard. camera. The existence of a data link for both multirole would allow it to target anti-ship cruise Training platform missiles fired by warships. and light attack Another debut at Zhuhai was Changhe’s As China spools up its aircraft carrier Z-11WB multipurpose reconnaissance/ fleet, it also needs helicopters to missions. attack helicopter, even though it achieved populate them. At this point, a typical air its maiden flight back in September wing is estimated to contain four Z-18J 2015. Intended roles include ground AEW rotorcraft, six Z-18F ASW types and support, battlefield reconnaissance, two Z-9Cs for SAR duties. counterterrorism and policing tasks. Mi-171V-5 and Mi-171V-7 platforms from The 1,274kg exhibit was armed with a US copy Russia since 1991. Notably, there exists a plethora of weapon systems. The example A second major development project still Sino-Russian joint venture in Chengdu to shown at Zhuhai had a door-mounted under way is HAIG’s new-generation Z-20, repair Mi-17s. 40mm automatic grenade launcher and unashamedly copied from Sikorsky’s China desperately wants to beef up its 7.62mm six-barrelled Gatling-style gun. S-70C-2, of which China purchased 24 heavy-lift capacity, after this weakness On pylons either side of the fuselage examples in 1984. was exposed by the 2008 Sichuan were a quad launcher with TL-2 missiles, The medium-lift platform achieved its earthquake. At the 2015 Tianjin show, an AG-300M air-to-ground missile, an maiden flight in December 2013, and Avicopter unveiled a scale model of the 18-tube 57-1 rocket launcher and a while technical specifications remain proposed Advanced Heavy Lift (AHL) folded-up SW6 UAV. An EO sensor is shrouded, there are differences to the design, possessing a maximum take-off mounted under the Z-11WB’s chin. The Black Hawk. For instance, it has a five- weight of 38t, a 160kt cruise speed, model can carry a 976kg payload, its blade main rotor compared to the Black 630km range and 5,700m service ceiling. maximum take-off weight is listed as Hawk’s four blades, plus the tail wheel is Internally it will carry 10t of cargo, or 15t 2,250kg, and its 535l fuel tank offers a mounted farther aft. It could become a on an external sling. The ability to operate 680km range. future mainstay of the PLA fleet, with the in high-altitudes is critical for the PLA, as it The Z-11 is a Chinese copy of the AS350 military needing a twin-engine platform in must fly in areas such as the Tibetan Écureuil, with the first flight occurring back the 10t class that is able to operate at Plateau. Russian Helicopters and AVIC in 1994 and initial military deliveries in high altitudes. signed a preliminary framework agreement 1998. It is primarily employed as a training DH was intrigued to hear what in May 2015, which was later confirmed platform by the PLA, a role it shares with Sikorsky thought about such a blatant on 25 June 2016. the H120 Colibri, the result of a 2004 S-70 replica coming from China. The AHL bears some similarity to Mil’s co-production agreement between Harbin Unfortunately, the company could only Mi-46 concept of the early 1990s. It has a and the then Eurocopter. One source respond: ‘We decline to comment on this seven-blade main rotor with paddle- estimated about 34 H120s are currently one.’ It is assumed that a number of shaped anhedral blade tips and a rear serving as primary trainers. S-70C-2s are grounded because of a loading ramp. While the AHL will be built in The fact that the Z-11WB is powered by shortage of spare parts. China, it will employ Russian engines. The a Turbomeca Arriel 2B1A engine suggests One of the PLA’s most popular and long- partners hope demand could stretch to it cannot be adopted by the PLA in its serving types is the Mil Mi-17/171 family, 200 units by 2040. present form. Nevertheless, news of which more than 250 are thought to be The PLAN also uses Kamov helicopters. emerged last October that the People’s in service. Rosoboronexport completed The navy received nine Ka-31 AEW types Armed Police would acquire the type. delivery of 52 Mi-171Es in July 2014, fitted with retractable E-801M solid-state The Z-18 from CAIG will gradually following a deal signed with Poly in 2010-11. replace many Z-8 variants. This is a new Technologies in 2012. The latter was also The navy also operates the Ka-28 family based on the civilian AC313, the Chinese agent in a contract for 32 family, with six ASW and three SAR essentially an upgraded commercial Mi-171Es signed in 2009, with all handed variants (the latter’s nomenclature being version of the Z-8. Equipped with a glass over by 2011. the Ka-27PS) received in 1999-2000. An cockpit, the AC313 can lift a 4t payload Prior to that, China has ordered various additional eight Ka-28 helicopters were and uses 50% composites in its airframe. batches of Mi-17, Mi-17-1V, Mi-171, ordered in 2009. ▪

20 DEFENCE HELICOPTER JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 VOLUME 36 NUMBER 1 WWW.ROTORHUB.COM

DH-01-17_p14-20_China.indd 20 1/13/2017 2:14:45 PM DH-01-17_p21_IDEF.indd 21 1/13/2017 2:15:48 PM NVG TAKE BACK THE NIGHT Developments in night vision goggles have allowed African, Eastern European and Central American countries to reap the benefits of the technology once enjoyed only by Western nations. By Jim Dorschner

An AH-64 Apache departs from a base in Afghanistan to conduct a security and reconnaissance mission at night. (Photo: US DoD)

hen night vision goggles (NVGs) (SOF) and conventional forces previously Changing landscape were first introduced to military unimaginable operational flexibility. Over the past 15 years or so, this W rotorcraft aircrew in the late Furthermore, it added security not operational monopoly steadily disappeared, 1970s, the US and a few Western allies available to other armed forces or to the as countries such as China, Israel and enjoyed a virtual monopoly on the enemy in conflicts such as the Gulf War, or Russia developed and marketed NVG advantages afforded by more effective and military interventions such as Britain’s in technology. At the same time, American and robust night operations. Sierra Leone or Australia’s in East Timor. European NVGs were exported around the Indeed, it was the application of SOF teams, or even entire infantry world, particularly to allies battling Islamic advanced NVG technology more than any battalions, could be safely inserted at night terrorism after 2001. other factor that permitted the US Army’s into landing zones to seize key objectives, As a result, affordable and effective ground-breaking 160th Special Operations conduct strikes and raids, or perform critical helicopter systems have proliferated far and Aviation Regiment to earn the iconic name, reconnaissance deep in enemy territory. wide, accompanied by the now mature skills Night Stalkers. Casualties could be swiftly evacuated and and doctrine required to successfully exploit As Harry Hewson, senior director for critical supplies delivered using landing the advantages afforded by almost rotorcraft airborne solutions at zones considered too dangerous during unrestricted night flying. of America told DH: ‘NVGs provide an daylight. Secure, quick-reaction night CSAR While DH previously examined in detail the excellent night vision solution at a very low of downed aircrew and clandestine developing technologies and what lays ahead cost across the great majority of conditions.’ personnel recovery missions from otherwise for military helicopter night vision systems By the 1990s, this increasingly routine denied territory became established doctrine (see Sep-Oct 2016, p30), equally important is ability to operate freely in darkness offered and repeatedly saved lives in the Balkans the changing operational landscape produced US and Western special operations forces and elsewhere. by NVG proliferation.

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Worth noting for comparison are the transfer for use by 412 crews supporting the from February 2008, before moving on to arguably more important parallel effects of special operations task force on counter- Bell Huey IIs and Mi-17s. unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) proliferation terrorism operations. When the programme started, there were beyond the original US and allied technology Similarly, boosting operational night flying no Iraqi NVG-qualified pilots. Now, many of developers and users. skills is an established priority for the the young aviators trained earlier are old During the long, hard years of combat Afghan Special Mission Wing (SMW), which hands leading night surveillance and attack since 2001, the employment of UAVs for supports Afghan special forces throughout missions, and serving as instructors training surveillance and strike missions exclusively the country with 30 Mi-17V5s and 30+ the next generation. by the US and allies such as the UK Afghan crews. Iraqi Army Aviation training, operations fundamentally altered the operational The Kabul-based 1st and 2nd squadrons, and logistics are complicated by a mixed landscape for all sides in theatres like established in 2006, are the most inventory. In addition to Huey IIs and Mi-17s, Afghanistan, Libya and Somalia. experienced NVG-qualified aircrew. Declared this includes the Bell IA-407 and Airbus Just as Russia now relies on UAVs to operational in 2016, both 3rd Squadron in H135M reconnaissance and attack support operations in and Syria, Kandahar and 4th Squadron in Mazar-e- rotorcraft, as well as Russian Mi-35M and while China and Iran develop their own Sharif, are steadily building capability. Along Mi-28NE attack helicopters. Each type was indigenous capabilities, the proliferation of with refining mission planning, tactics and presumably delivered with different NVG military helicopter NVG technology is logistics, a mostly American cadre of foreign systems from the US, Europe and Russia. incrementally expanding the operational advisers is focusing on building up the roster Despite the challenges, the ability of Iraqi envelope for armed forces that previously of NVG-qualified aviators. Army Aviation to operate successfully at flew at night only rarely. The SMW’s Mi-17V5s were purchased night has proven critical in efforts to retake As we move into 2017, the new normal is new from Russia by the US and received a territory from Daesh, including the ongoing represented by Cameroon Air Force pilots number of modifications before delivery to campaign against Mosul. employing Chinese-made HY-07 NVGs, while Afghanistan, including NVG-compatible flying Harbin Z-9WE attack and Western avionics. Despite an excellent North by night reconnaissance helicopters in preparation operational history since 2013, the SMW North African countries also rely on the for combat operations against Boko Haram Mi-17s may be replaced by an equal number ability to operate helicopters at night as in the north of the country. The HY-07 is of either UH-60Ms or upgraded V-model they battle local Daesh franchises and thought to be similar to the AN/AVS-6 Black Hawks at some point in the future. other threats. In 2014, the US agreed to Generation 3 ANVIS night vision systems provide Tunisia with 12 UH-60M Black fielded to the US Army rotary-wing aviation Iraqi improvement Hawks for the air force, deliveries of which from the late 1980s. Shifting to Iraq, army aviation attack commenced in 2016. The $700 million Another variation on this theme is the 30 helicopter and special operations aviators FMS deal included 30 sets of AN/AVS-9 NVG-capable Bell 412EPs supplied to rely on NVG technology to conduct high- NVGs and 15 Wescam MX-15Di or Brite Pakistan Army Aviation by the US since intensity combat operations at night against Star II EO/IR laser designators to facilitate 2007. Although unconfirmed, it is believed Daesh. Aircrew were trained and qualified night operations. that AN/AVS-6 systems were included in the on NVGs by American instructors on OH-58s In May 2016, the US government approved the transfer of 24 excess Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior scout helicopters to Tunisia, along with 50 additional sets of AN/AVS-6 NVGs. Prior to delivery of the first batch of OH-58Ds in late 2016, 24 pilots and 50 technicians trained under a US Army Security Assistance Training Management Organisation contract with Integration Innovation Inc (I3) at Roswell, New Mexico. Today, the Tunisian Air Force has the foundation for a well-balanced, modern rotary-wing combat force with effective night capability. Neighbouring Algeria has led helicopter NVG capability in the region, contracting with Russian state armaments export agency The boosting of operational night flying Rosoboronexport in 2003 for the delivery of skills is an established priority for the Afghan Special Mission Wing. 42 night-capable Mi-171AMTSh ‘Terminator’ (Photo: Russian Helicopters) assault helicopters, with deliveries completed by the end of 2016.

WWW.ROTORHUB.COM VOLUME 36 NUMBER 1 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 DEFENCE HELICOPTER 23

DH-01-17_p22-26_Night_Vision.indd 23 1/13/2017 2:20:55 PM NVG OH-58 Kiowa Warriors are kept mission-ready on Access in-depth military the tarmac even as night falls. (Photo: US DoD) These feature Geofizika-NV GEO-NVG-1 helicopter market insight, goggles from the Russian Federal Research relied upon daily by leading and Production Center, which uses high- defence organisations. sensitivity night-vision technology based on third-generation image converters and • Military Helicopter spectral filtration techniques. The Mi-171 premium news upgrade was followed by an order from Rostvertol for 42 night-capable Mil Mi-28NE • Rotorcraft attack helicopters, the first four of which specifications data were delivered in May 2016. • Online edition of Algeria has battled armed Islamist Identify new Defence Helicopter insurgent factions since 1992, beginning with business opportunities the Armed Islamic Group, which morphed into • Searchable 3-year archive the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat in 1998, and later linked to Al-Qaeda in 2003 • Regular helicopter to become Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb market and show reports (AQIM) in 2007. AQIM remains a serious Eastern capability replacement for the ageing Pumas. This Effectively monitor threat to the national oil industry, particularly In East Africa, (KAF) and will most likely take the form of around All in one easy-to-manage in southern Algeria, where it operates across army helicopters have been at the forefront 12 Black Hawks from the US, either new your press exposure online subscription. the lawless border regions with Mauritania, of coalition operations against Al Shabab in UH-60Ms in a package similar to Tunisia, or Mali and Niger. Somalia since 2011, although with only upgraded UH-60Vs. The fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 limited night capability. This is principally To replace the air cavalry MD 500s, created a new swath of lawless territory provided by the army’s 50th Air Cavalry Kenya is another prime candidate for Develop your product in To request a one- along Algeria’s eastern border with Libya, Regiment, relying on around 40 MD 500 excess US Army OH-58D Kiowa Warriors, the most lucrative market and introduced additional threats from armed scouts originally acquired from the new MD 530G scout attack helicopters or week free trial to Daesh and other well-armed extremist US in the 1980s and six armed Harbin Z-9s Boeing AH-6i light attack helicopters, all of groups operating in the area. Survival of the obtained from China in 2010. which feature robust night capability. Shephard Plus: Algerian state depends on containing these The former were modernised by In terms of night-capable Mi-17 variants, threats, and a key component in doing so is Israel over the years and augmented the (IAF) is a major user, Visit us at IDEX/NAVDEX, the ability to operate attack, reconnaissance by transfers of upgraded former IDF with around 140 Mi-17V-5 models in booth C6-007 or and assault helicopters at night. airframes. MD 500 aircrew probably use service or on order. Along with new contact Kelly Raines. Further south, Nigeria struggles to Israeli NVGs and have benefitted from VK-2500 engines, these feature advanced counter the Boko Haram insurgency in the training by Israeli and American advisers. avionics with a KNEI-8 glass cockpit [email protected] north of the country in the Niger, Chad and The more modern, night-capable Z-9s are compatible with the latest Russian +44(0)20 7970 2598 Cameroon tri-border area. The Nigerian Air equipped with FLIR systems and were Generation III NVGs. www.shephardmedia.com Force (NAF) had already obtained four probably delivered with HY-07 NVGs. The new helicopters are popular with the night-capable Mi-171Sh helicopters from Until recently, the KAF relied on IAF, providing significantly improved support Russia in 2003, but was clearly in need of around 11 surviving SA 330 and IAR-330 to special forces and to frontline operations more capability. Pumas for battlefield helicopter support. in the demanding mountainous terrain and In response, six additional Mi-171Sh These aircraft date from the late 1970s harsh weather conditions along the borders models were reportedly ordered from and 1980s and were never upgraded for with Pakistan and China. Russia, along with six Mi-35 attack NVGs. Two Mi-171s obtained in 2010 may In 2015, India concluded contracts with helicopters, although no evidence of delivery be NVG-compatible, but have been Boeing and the US government for 22 has surfaced. According to the UN Register grounded for extended periods with AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters of Conventional Arms, Nigeria previously maintenance issues. and 15 CH-47F Chinook heavy lift models. acquired three Mi-24s from Ukraine in 2008 In December 2016, the KAF took delivery These will also be operated by the IAF and and two more from in 2010. of the first six of eight upgraded UH-1H will come with the latest US NVG technology. Given Nigeria’s rather chaotic and inept Huey II helicopters transferred from the US. Meanwhile, Republic of Korea Army military response to Boko Haram thus far, These are night-capable, with a number of (ROKA) aviators are steadily building night coupled with a general lack of AN/AVS-9 systems probably included in the capability with indigenously produced Korea professionalism in the NAF, it will be a hard package. The Huey IIs will be heavily used for Aerospace Industries KUH-1 Surion tactical slog to develop the skills and doctrine troop lift and medevac missions in Somalia helicopters. Complex night operations are required to turn these platforms into a and northern Kenya. being conducted using Elbit Systems’ functional night-capable force. Unlike in While the Huey IIs offer an urgently Aviator’s Night Vision/Head-Up display. The neighbouring Cameroon, there is no evidence needed capability boost, the KAF ROKA has over 40 Surions in service, with of aircrew building capability with NVGs. eventually requires a more capable plans for around 200.

24 DEFENCE HELICOPTER JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 VOLUME 36 NUMBER 1 WWW.ROTORHUB.COM

DH-01-17_p22-26_Night_Vision.indd 24 1/13/2017 2:20:56 PM DH_ShephardPlus_advert_Jan_2017.indd 1 1/10/2017 10:18:12 AM Access in-depth military helicopter market insight, relied upon daily by leading defence organisations. • Military Helicopter premium news • Rotorcraft specifications data Identify new • Online edition of business opportunities Defence Helicopter • Searchable 3-year archive • Regular helicopter Effectively monitor market and show reports All in one easy-to-manage your press exposure online subscription.

Develop your product in To request a one- the most lucrative market week free trial to Shephard Plus: Visit us at IDEX/NAVDEX, booth C6-007 or contact Kelly Raines. [email protected] +44(0)20 7970 2598 www.shephardmedia.com

DH-01-17_p22-26_Night_Vision.inddDH_ShephardPlus_advert_Jan_2017.indd 25 1 1/10/20171/13/2017 10:18:12 2:20:56 AMPM NVG

ROKA Aviation Command has benefitted the Tunisia transfer, the package includes workload and improve flight safety in from decades of close cooperation with US 50 pairs of AN/AVS-6 NVGs and an degraded visual environments, there is a lot Army aviation in South Korea, including extensive training programme. The final of focus now on pilot-machine interface. extensive night operations employing NVGs. batch of Kiowa Warriors were delivered in ‘Testing in simulators and in limited The command employs some 130 December 2016, with training set to begin flight tests has shown that when the UH-60P Black Hawks, 25 CH-47D Chinooks, in early 2017. Five instructors from US visibility really starts to shut down, 50 AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters and a contractor I3 will conduct the programme particularly during take-off and landing, similar number of MD 500 scout attack at the Zadar base of the new squadron, pilots want to keep their heads up and eyes helicopters. These will be joined in 2017 by with full operational capability expected outside the cockpit to search for even the the first of 36 Boeing AH-64E Apache by 2020. smallest outside visual cue to aircraft Guardian attack helicopters on order. The world’s largest operator of UH-60 position and drift,’ he said. Black Hawks after the US Army is also one of Having to come back inside to focus on Balkan requirements the most experienced at night operations a small head-down display ‘is not just Turning to the Balkans, Serbia received two using NVGs. Colombian Army Aviation counter-intuitive, it gets dangerous if you new Mi-17V-5s from Russia in June 2016, operates 56 Black Hawks, in addition to 24 don’t see obstacles that are in close to the with follow-on deliveries expected. These UH-1H Huey IIs, 16 UH-1Ns and 20 Mi-17s, landing point’. have NVG-compatible analogue cockpits all of which are NVG-capable. and modern Russian NVG systems were Decades of counter-insurgency operations Steady improvement likely included in the transfer. in Colombia have produced a highly capable Given the nature of global threats and The helicopters’ primary role is providing force. While a recently concluded peace requirements, the market for increasingly an all-weather national SAR capability. agreement will likely mean some reductions capable, affordable and available night Serbia has requirements for at least 12 in fleets of older types, Colombia will remain vision systems will remain strong. While a new Mi-17V-5s. In Macedonia, Israel’s Elbit engaged with global peace missions, range of even more advanced next- Systems completed the upgrade of ten including aviation contributions. generation night vision systems, particularly Soviet-era Mi-8MT, Mi-17 and Mi-24V Army aviation will also continue to play an for helmet display and tracking, are in rotorcraft in 2014. important role in formalising the armed development or entering service in China, The upgrade included compatible forces of Central American countries. El Europe, Israel, Russia and the US, the use of cockpits and Elbit NVGs, new internal and Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras are traditional NVG technologies will continue to external lighting systems, and the struggling to cope with powerful expand around the world. installation and integration of modern day/ transnational organised crime elements and The proliferation of military helicopter night ANVIS/HUD-24 systems. need all the help they can get, including night vision systems has significantly In Croatia, the US agreed to the enhanced night helicopter capability. changed the operational landscape with transfer of 24 OH-58D Kiowa Warrior scout According to Elbit’s Harry Hewson, as strategic effects. The US and allies such as attack helicopters in May 2016. Similar to industry works to further reduce pilot the UK and France now rely on local forces to confront security threats including Daesh, the Taliban, Boko Haram and AQIM. The employment of NVGs by increasingly ROKA Aviation Command employs 130 UH-60Ps, 25 CH-47Ds, 50 AH-1 Cobras and a professional helicopter aircrews, coupled similar number of MD 500s. (Photo: US DoD) with proven doctrine, good intelligence and advanced skills is crucial to denying these enemies the operational freedom and security provided by the hours of darkness. Since emerging in the 1970s, military helicopter NVGs have steadily improved and become more affordable even as the tactics, techniques and procedures required to integrate them into operations have matured. Given the enormous operational benefits derived from NVG use, they will become standard kit for a growing number of military helicopter operators. However, on a cautionary note, some of these operators will inevitably be bad actors using the same technology to counter the advantages gained by similarly equipped good actors. ▪

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Widely used by commercial For companies providing tracking ground team can monitor its journey solutions to the military sector, many offer through the coordinated data it provides. operators, automatic a portfolio of products comprising a Aghili said that the operator can helicopter flight tracking mixture of handheld, installed and determine the timing of the reports, portable devices. For example, Blue Sky detailing how the information is presented: technology is increasingly Network’s HawkEye 7200 is a portable ‘These position reports are typically emerging into the military tracking system and the installed version transmitted at a regular interval that you domain. By Helen Haxell is known as the HawkEye 7200A. can define as every 15 seconds, or every The company’s CEO Kambiz Aghili told minute, whatever that [need] might be, and racking systems for aircraft provide DH the tracking devices work through that contains minimal four-dimensional commanders overseeing military satellite media that retrieve location data location data that includes latitude, T operations with peace of mind. and subsequently transmit it via a network. longitude, altitude and time,’ he explained. Whether it is an MH-60R Seahawk landing ‘The HawkEye 7200A collects location ‘So once the data passes through the on board a ship, or a UH-60 Black Hawk on data from GPS and GLONASS satellites and Iridium gateway and it reaches our a reconnaissance mission in a hostile uses an Iridium transceiver to transmit this servers, we have our own advanced cloud- environment, tracking solutions are the data over the Iridium satellite network,’ he based web portal… called SkyRouter. It eyes, and in some instances the ears, for said. The device can then provide almost will utilise this data in a variety of unit commanders. instant reports on its whereabouts and a mapping ways to display the aircraft’s

Tracking solutions for the military and commercial sector can be provided using a portfolio of products, comprising a mixture of handheld, installed and portable devices. (Photo: Flightcell International)

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real-time movement on the end user’s personal account.’ SkyRouter is a centralised web portal that enables the operator to visualise, speak with and track its aircraft or fleet. The 7200 series is being used by military operators around the world and on board aircraft such as the S-70i Black Hawk, DH has learnt.

Real-time insight New Zealand-based company Spidertracks has developed a tracking service that is designed to give rotorcraft operators The DZMx is a satellite transceiver, a enhanced real-time operational insight into cellular transceiver and a tracking device their fleet. all in one box. (Photo: Flightcell International) Replacing an earlier version of Spidertxt, used for two-way communication – aircraft- to-ground, ground-to-aircraft – Spidertracks ‘Spidertxt 2.0 is for an operator that does International’s DZMx. This has recently has built its 2.0 system to encompass all not know where they are going to be in ten been advanced with new cellular tracking communication through one channel. minutes’ time. They might need to change technology, which can provide positions of It works independently of local their mission at the last minute… when a the aircraft at 15-second intervals in high infrastructure, so even if there is no mission isn’t just taking the aircraft from definition. telephone or internet communication, one spot to another,’ Todd O’Hara, Michael Eddy, marketing and messages to the helicopter or ground marketing manager at Spidertracks, and a communications manager at Flightcell, station can still be delivered. Spidertxt now helicopter pilot, told DH. explained that the system has the capacity allows messaging between aircraft, ground- Another tracking device that can be to utilise cellular data and IP delivery and to-ground and aircraft-to-ground. applied to military fleets is Flightcell automatically switch between cellular and satellite. When operating over satellite, the technology fills in the gaps between position points and maps the flight path. AIRBORNE AWARENESS ‘The DZMx is a satellite transceiver, a cellular transceiver and a tracking device Military helicopters on missions far from second radar/transponder system. all in one box. Where our competition has base can use a range of technologies to SharpEye is able to detect targets from many different units, it’s just one tiny box help them operate at long distances and a long distance and is not affected by that fits in the palm of your hand. It’s built over challenging terrain. adverse weather conditions, using a to Mil-Spec standards and it’s night vision- With the choppiness of the ocean combination of algorithms, moving compliant, so it’s perfect for the military,’ waves and difficult environmental target detection and the Doppler Eddy said. conditions added to the mix, aircraft crews processing technique, Mark Bown, Regarding the new capability of the and ship operations rooms alike want to group marketing manager at Kelvin DZMx, Eddy explained that the latest ensure a safe flight and approach to a Hughes, explained to DH. feature – cellular IP tracking – was a vessel’s deck. ‘The algorithms enable target second-generation technology: ‘The Currently, Kelvin Hughes’ SharpEye radar information to be resolved as targets product can switch automatically between is being used by 27 navies throughout the [radar contacts], or not. They can be cellular and satellite. The new technology, world. This includes the UK RN and Royal optimised for specific, harder to detect instead of being every minute on a Fleet Auxiliary (RFA). The company received targets such as helicopters,’ he said. position recording, [populates on the a contract in March 2016 for more than 60 Rohan Dearlove, Kelvin Hughes’ screen] every 15 seconds. So, it shows you radar sets for RN and RFA ships, maritime sales director, UK and France, almost in real time exactly where the submarines and shore facilities. commented: ‘The Doppler processing aircraft is.’ At least ten navies utilise SharpEye to techniques we deploy within the system Another feature of DZMx is the fact that control aircraft and the airspace around a filters out the effects of the rain and the the tracking feature is joined with Iridium ship as a helicopter tracking function. One clutter. So, you’ll have a very clean push-to-talk (PTT), which allows secure of the main capabilities of SharpEye is its picture. Essentially you are seeing global walkie-talkie-style communications capacity to eradicate the necessity of a through the clutter.’ between aircraft and ground units.

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SharpEye is able to detect targets from a long distance and is not affected by adverse weather conditions. (Image: Kelvin Hughes)

Privacy needs within the device detects if the helicopter Iain Ronis, project manager for the Sky A common thread throughout military users crashes, and it will self-purge itself.’ Connect product line at the company, told is the necessity for security and privacy in Similarly, O’Hara said that the important DH that the navy utilises the Sky Connect relation to the usage of tracking devices. thing for the military is not just the security Tracker system, which provides Fundamentally, these systems hold key of knowing the fleet’s location but ensuring simultaneous automated tracking, text data that in the wrong hands could have data is private and protected. messaging and voice communications. devastating effects, leading militaries to ‘Military operators largely have the same ‘[Sky Connect] is deployed throughout develop some specific requirements outlining requirements as commercial aircraft the world with about 3,000 helicopters in what they need from the technology. operators. They need to know where their operation… We have been working with the ‘We have seen some militaries that like people and assets are, and that they’re safe. Colombian military on army and air force to have their own private server. In Spidertracks’ suite of features provides aircraft as well as the paramilitary – their addition to the privacy and security of data situational awareness about what an aircraft national police force – in support of their that we set, we offer very private data is doing, not just where it is. drug interdiction campaigns,’ Ronis said. endpoints for the client,’ explained Aghili. ‘Unlike other technologies like ADS-B, ‘We also have deployments with the ‘They [the military] want to have their the key capability for Spidertracks for Mexican Navy again on helicopters, and own strict physical access… For instance, is the secure nature of our some units are deployed on their naval we worked with a military operator around system. Data is encrypted from the aircraft vessels.’ the Middle East and they were really to the same standard that banks use, and The systems have been operated in the interested in a very specific improvement. the data is only available to whoever the depths of the Colombian jungle on ageing They want to know if an aircraft goes operator chooses,’ he stated. Hueys. A major capability that has been down and if the enemy gets their hands One level of protection for tracking developed after customer feedback and on the cockpit. devices is encoding the Iridium packet grown organically through research and ‘They don’t want any memory to be left in the first instance with the additional development is a button quite literally on the device. So, they need specific layer of a company’s own protocol, DH marked ‘under fire’. solutions to purge the data and… securing has learnt. All the crew has to do is press the button, that data with physical access keys in and Sky Connect emits a discreet signal that addition to what we offer,’ he added. Getting connected passes through the satellite to the user’s ‘Also, [they want the capacity to be] able Honeywell also provides a tracking operating centre. An alert then highlights the to broadcast a purge signal as well as having system for many helicopter fleets, aircraft on the map and indicates its status, an internal [component] where intelligence including that of the Mexican Navy. Ronis explained to DH.

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Talking away in the world is extremely valuable for any earth orbit satellites which will work to produce Eddy noted how the heightened capability aircraft operator,’ he said. high levels of data coverage regardless of of tracking projections helps the end The future of tracking systems could be weather and even natural disasters. user. Situation awareness for command shaped by the analytical data collated by the ‘In space, each Iridium NEXT satellite will centres is achieved by having real-time devices and most importantly, how this is be linked up to four others – two in the same tracking combined with live PTT voice at presented to operators. orbital plane and one in each adjacent plane the same time. ‘We’re on the cusp of a data revolution. – creating a dynamic mesh network that Another component of DZMx is its Current tracking products focus almost routes traffic among satellites to ensure a capability to allow communication between exclusively on where an aircraft is and where continuous connection, everywhere,’ the helicopter and the ground team. it has been,’ O’Hara noted. ‘But there’s so according to company literature. ‘It’s higher resolution – so [military much data that surrounds this that rarely gets This technological development will aid operators] can see exactly where their used; information that, if processed correctly, connectivity for military helicopters with no helicopters are, but coupled with the can deliver tangible efficiency improvements fears of communication drop-outs, especially Iridium push-to-talk they can also hear to operators.’ when the crew is on a humanitarian mission what’s going on in a walkie-talkie group in a tsunami-struck area, for example. conversation network. This allows full Satellite boost In a similar vein, Aghili said that this operational situational awareness of what’s The Iridium NEXT service is anticipated to be could help with the processing power for happening, and it provides a global reach if available for commercial operators in 2017 tracking systems. ‘This [tracking] they are out of a typical radio frequency,’ – although dependent on the success of the technology has a way to go. For instance, Eddy said. launches this could move into 2018. The you can use our product to communicate a Likewise, O’Hara in a statement latter possibility is due to the project ton of data back to the ground and back to DH noted how the Spidertracks undergoing a setback when SpaceX’s Falcon up again. I think that has some tracking technology now knows no 9 exploded in September during a test. Ten limitations… thankfully Iridium NEXT will geographical boundaries. Iridium satellites were expected to be increase our processing power and ‘With Spidertxt 2.0, operators are able to launched by January 2017. capacity,’ he explained. send and receive secure communications This will be of interest to developers and ‘Its operating data will allow some anywhere in the world. In some cases, operators alike, as most tracking systems broadband at 1.4Mbps speeds and this aircraft are operating in airspace that isn’t benefit from the incumbent Iridium service. would allow us to leverage our solutions to their own. Whether this is on exercise or The upgraded Iridium NEXT will be a really create a big data and analytics deployment, being able to have command constellation with worldwide coverage. In [solution],’ he said. and control over your assets from anywhere essence, there will be 66 cross-linked low- Ronis further explained how this technology will benefit operators: ‘This new constellation will fully support everything that is already on operation with Iridium. So, there’s continuity of service that is assured. The new satellites will offer new capabilities, higher-speed data rates.’ More specifically, Ronis noted how the advancement will help military and commercial operators with fluidity in transferring information through the increase in upload speeds and improved bandwidth rates. ‘For military applications, as well as commercial helicopters, all pilots face the same situation, and that’s access to data. The additional bandwidth, the higher data speed that the new Iridium network is going to offer will bring a lot of capability to improve that data exchange.’ While Iridium may not be the only service available to SATCOM users for tracking, it is HawkEye 7200 is a portable tracking system, while the installed version clear that the development will be aiding the is known as the HawkEye 7200A. (Photo: Blue Sky Network) eyes in the sky with a sharper and faster flow of data and information to help all missions. ▪

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A number of the world’s Longbow and AGM-114R Hellfire II. The out the latest iteration of the Apache, the former is a radar-guided, fire-and-forget, AH-64E, missile manufacturers are militaries are on the cusp adverse weather anti-armour missile working with the aircraft’s OEM to of more advanced attack system, while the latter incorporates integrate new weapons. capabilities as their semi-active laser guidance. The US Army is looking to replace the AGM-114 with the Joint Air-to-Ground helicopter fleets adopt the Put to the test Missile (JAGM); the UK MoD is exploring latest in missile technology. The US Army successfully completed options through its Future Attack testing of the AGM-114R missile in Helicopter Weapon (FAHW) endeavour; By Beth Maundrill 2016 against a new, more and products such as the Rafael representative masonry target at high -ER and MBDA PARS 3 LR are also hen discussing missiles for temperature. The weapon can be providing alternatives. military rotorcraft, many will launched from high or low altitudes and W be inclined to think first of has an enhanced guidance system with Open market the Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire. improved navigation capabilities. With Raytheon also gaining more The Hellfire has become the go-to It includes a three-axis inertial customers for its air-to-air Stinger missile for a number of AH-64 Apache measurement unit, which enables solution, the market for missiles is as customers, as well as for UH-60 Black properly equipped launch platforms to open as it has ever been. Hawks, OH-58D Kiowa Warriors and engage targets to the side and behind JAGM is a next-generation air-to- French and Australian Tigers, among them without having to manoeuvre the ground missile designed to replace others. aircraft into position, according to both the Hellfire and air-launched TOW While there have been a range of Lockheed Martin. families of missiles for joint use on Hellfire variants over the years, the most The Hellfire is nevertheless not the rotary-wing aircraft for the US Army, common are currently the AGM-114L only player in the game. As Boeing rolls USN and USMC.

The UK is equipping its AW159 Wildcats with the new Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon – Heavy. (Image: MBDA) Targeting strategies

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Any system that currently uses Hellfire survivability in that the pilot can lock-on On 7 December 2016 JAGM will be able to utilise JAGM and, indeed, before or after launch in conditions in which was fired from an AH-64D the army plans to implement the AGM- you would not want to expose the platform to 114R warhead on the new munition. any longer than [needed],’ Rottenborn said. Apache for the first time, The missile combines an onboard radar ‘It has great capability against high- successfully targeting a moving with a semi-active laser sensor to enhance speed manoeuvring targets, more so maritime asset. its capability against stationary and than any missile out there now. These moving targets for precision point or fire- independent sensors can play off of each and-forget targeting. other in case there is a vulnerability to The army awarded a contract with low-rate one, whether that is weather-induced or onto the Apache wasn’t feasible,’ initial production (LRIP) options to Lockheed battlefield condition-induced.’ Furness argued. ‘Brimstone onto Apache has Martin in 2015 for the JAGM engineering In the future, at least 50 further tests are been seen by some as the underdog – from and manufacturing development phase. planned, including some simulated. These two years ago, many would not have taken More recently, on 7 December 2016 JAGM have all been developed by a DoD this project seriously due to the strong was fired from an AH-64D Apache for the independent test agency. historical connection of Hellfire and the first time, successfully targeting a moving ‘It’s up to us to go out and execute that Longbow Apache, to now with the successful maritime asset. to show this missile can meet those Brimstone firings. ‘This was the tenth of our risk-reduction requirements,’ concluded Rottenborn (for ‘Ultimately, it shows the MoD and other flight tests,’ explained Lt Col Phil Rottenborn, more on the development of JAGM, see p40). militaries that there is now an alternative to product manager for JAGM, Program Hellfire and its successor, JAGM.’ Executive Office Missiles and Space. ‘This Primary resources most recent one was the first ever manned Meanwhile, weapons manufacturer MBDA is Individual differences platform launch of a JAGM… Some of the offering a derivative of Brimstone for the UK’s While on the surface Brimstone may look ones prior to this [were] required to get a FAHW requirement. If successful, this would similar to Hellfire, there are a number safety release [before] a manned release. It become the primary armament on the of differences. was also the first against a boat, and a nation’s AH-64E Apache fleet. Brimstone is able to utilise laser guidance, manoeuvring boat at that.’ Brimstone is already operational with the followed by a transfer to mmW radar for the RAF on various fixed-wing platforms and has terminal phase, which is known as ‘dual Experimental approach been used in both Syria and Iraq. mode’. This aims to greatly increase the The Apache was operated by an experimental In July 2016, MBDA completed a series of probability of hitting a target, especially test pilot from the Redstone test centre. It physical trials and firings of Brimstone from moving ones. flew at 15,000ft above the target, which was the AH-64E. These were part of a UK MoD ‘There are second-order effects of this too,’ a 30ft-long remotely controlled boat travelling contract with MBDA and Boeing which said Furness. ‘Firstly, training burden can be at 30kt, Rottenborn explained. confirmed integration of the missiles would minimised, as the difficult and latent skill of The main purpose of this test firing was to be low-risk. manually tracking a target can be reduced. demonstrate target handover from the laser These firings demonstrated the capability Secondly, it allows the operator to engage a to the radar. of the weapon to navigate using its semi- target sooner, without having to wait for the ‘We provide the missile with targeting active laser (SAL), dual-mode SAL/millimetric perfect engagement profile. This means the information by putting a laser on or near it,’ wave (mmW) and fully autonomous mmW operator can engage whilst the platform is he continued. ‘And on purpose the guidance modes. dynamically manoeuvring or for the target to experimental pilot ceases lasing a few Throughout the trials, aviation services move to an area that is clear of obstructions.’ seconds into flight – about 10% into the company Amber Tiger assisted MBDA in Following recent demonstration trials, Dan missile flight – and then the radar, exclusively integrating Brimstone with the Apache. Girardin, a Boeing flight test engineer in without any help from the laser, guided it to ‘Until now, Hellfire has been the prime Mesa, Arizona, stated: ‘The mmW the centre of the target and destroyed it. choice for operators of the Apache around autonomous shot from a moving and ‘A missile that has a radar sensor will the world,’ said Andy Furness, CEO of Amber banking platform against an off-axis target perform very well against moving targets Tiger. ‘But now there is a UK option to with the missile hitting the MBT turret ring especially when you consider the difficulty support the national prosperity agenda, and was the most aggressive shot I have ever to maintain a laser spot on a moving the RAF have the operational experience as seen in my 30 years of the Apache target,’ he added. proof to show that Brimstone is an overall programme.’ This is one of the advantages of the JAGM better solution.’ Another advantage for the UK MoD compared with Hellfire. The capabilities of the Two versions of Hellfire are currently used investing in Brimstone is the issue of latter’s laser limit its ability to see reflective on the British Army Apache helicopters, the sovereignty, having a British-made weapon energy from the target in challenging Longbow Hellfire and the Hellfire II. on a UK platform. environments, such as maritime. ‘JAGM ‘Above all else, the missile firings from the ‘The nation’s enemies for the next 20-plus affords the pilot and the platform more AH-64E debunked the myth that integrating years are not yet known, and so having a

32 DEFENCE HELICOPTER JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 VOLUME 36 NUMBER 1 WWW.ROTORHUB.COM

DH-01-17_p31-34_Missiles.indd 32 1/13/2017 2:29:07 PM MISSILES

US soldiers load Hellfire missiles on the Apache attack helicopter. (Photo: US DoD)

missile and manufacturer who can easily manager, surface attack solutions at Thales key considerations in the engagement adapt to meet the requirements in an UK. LMM employs precise laser beam riding approval chain, guaranteed accuracy can uncertain future holds a significant appeal,’ guidance to accurately fly over water, has a be a defining operational advantage,’ said Furness. dual-effect shaped charge and blast said Keown. ‘The UK MoD is very conscious that fragmentation warhead, plus laser proximity The LMM enables operators to select more than ever before there is a need to sensors, and a sealed canister with a debris- specific aim points and Thales offers a provide greater capability with fewer free launch to protect the aircraft. mission denial capability rather than only resources. By selecting Brimstone for ‘These threats represent a very difficult target destruction by selecting a specific Typhoon, Protector and the AH-64E, the target for other missiles due to their small point on the target. MoD aims to maintain consolidated size, agility and low thermal signature in a The weight of a weapon must also be stockpiles rather than have to hold very cluttered environment due to waves and carefully considered, as it means a reduction different missiles for each platform, which spray,’ explained Keown. in fuel that can be carried. Lighter weapons provides significant cost, logistical and ‘Due to the laser beam riding guidance, systems are more desirable because a even training reductions,’ he said. the LMM can be precisely guided to defeat heavy missile can limit the endurance of an these targets at long range without threat to air platform. Future weapons friendly forces. The compact and lightweight Operational commanders can then decide The UK is also equipping the Royal Navy’s nature of LMM enables up to 20 LMM between increasing endurance or enhancing AW159 Wildcats with the new Future Anti- missiles to be deployed on the Wildcat – lethality, depending on the number of rounds Surface Guided Weapon – Light (FASGW(L)), enabling a single helicopter to defeat a carried on a platform. with the Thales Lightweight Multirole Missile swarm attack,’ he added. Multipurpose missiles are also being (LMM) selected for the requirement. Thales is also actively pursuing a number utilised on helicopters in order to meet these FASGW(L) will have a five-barrel of sales campaigns outside of the UK. requirements. For instance, a ground- launcher and laser guidance system. The launched missile could be mounted on LMM will complement the new MBDA Sea Customer requirements aircraft, with the right modification and Skua II, also known as Sea Venom, which Keown said that precision, weight and launcher capability. is the new FASGW (Heavy). LMM can cost of ownership are some of the most Israeli company Rafael has noted that potentially be deployed on any helicopter, important requirements for customers weight is just as important to aircraft as it is to manned or unmanned. when looking at new missile integration. infantry forces. The company believes there ‘A key feature of the LMM on Wildcat is ‘In today’s warfare environment, where will continue to be a demand for lightweight the ability to engage fast inshore attack craft rules of engagement, preservation of weapon systems for attack helicopters. threat,’ said James Keown, product line evidence and proportional effect are all The manufacturer also notes that because

WWW.ROTORHUB.COM VOLUME 36 NUMBER 1 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 DEFENCE HELICOPTER 33

DH-01-17_p31-34_Missiles.indd 33 1/13/2017 2:29:09 PM MISSILES

budgets are typically lower now, it becomes cost-effective for a customer to use the same ammunition on the ground and in the air. As an example, the company’s Spike family of anti-tank missiles has been integrated onto various helicopter platforms. The company has integrated the Spike Extended Range (ER) onto Italian aircraft, with the country already using the Spike Medium Range (MR) and Long Range (LR). Italian AH-129Ds have been equipped with the Toplite III targeting pod and Spike ER.

Transformative approach The company has also worked with the to transform the UH-60 Black Hawk into an attack helicopter. It is now able to launch Spike LR and ER as well as the latest version of the missile, Spike NLOS, which is a multipurpose EO-guided A Polish W-3PL Głuszec displayed at the 2016 MSPO event system with a real-time data link for ranges equipped with Spike missiles. (Photo: Tony Skinner) up to 25km. UH-60Ls have become AH-60L gunships through the addition of weapons point where it is now a relatively simple India will acquire 58 air-to-air launchers pylons and a Toplite II EO sensor turret. The mission to perform and train for.’ and 240 missiles. Qatar will be fitted AH-60L is now capable of carrying 16 Spike out for 12 Apaches, 24 launchers and NLOS missiles. Digital switchover 288 missiles. Elsewhere, South Korea’s AW159s have The air-to-air mission requirement pushed ‘In the case of India and Qatar, we fully also been equipped with the Spike NLOS, Raytheon to move Stinger from an analogue expect India to continue on a frequent basis while Rafael has also worked with OEM PZL missile to a digital one, and it has now been to buy additional air-to-air Stinger capability Świdnik to increase the firepower of the qualified on Apache for about seven years. as they take delivery of their future aircraft,’ Polish W-3PL Głuszec with the use of Spike The current production version of the Elliot added. missiles. Stinger is the RMP Block 1. The air-to-air system comprises a The W-3 was on display at MSPO 2016 in ‘Today, the Stinger is qualified on the launching unit and an adapter. The latter Kielce, Poland, with both Spike NLOS and ER Apache, but is not being performed on US allows Raytheon to mechanically adapt the missiles. The addition of these armaments Apaches. There is a plan in the first quarter missile to an aircraft at a desired location. will assist the Polish Land Forces in increasing of 2018 that the US Apache will have a fully Typically on rotorcraft this will be on pylons, its capabilities. released version of air-to-air Stinger that it but Elliot said there have been instances Another missile that started out life as a takes delivery of. That will be for the where the system has been clipped directly ground-launched munition is Raytheon’s air- AH-64E version,’ added Elliot. to the fuselage for select special operations to-air Stinger, which is now being chosen by ‘Every Apache leaving the production helicopters. many operators of the AH-64E. facility at Boeing at that point will have The Stinger air-to-air launcher does most ‘When we use MANPADS or ground-based Stinger fully integrated on it, whether that of the targeting calculations and other air defence, most of those slewing activities be US or Foreign Military Sales.’ functions that bring the missile on target and getting launched and locked on are all The company has already secured and lock on to the fire unit. controlled by a human,’ explained Jack Elliot, contracts from South Korea, with deliveries Today, the air-to-air mission is not only director of Stinger mission systems at beginning in May 2017. The $35 million about combating other manned aircraft, Raytheon. agreement will supply 28 launchers and as the proliferation of UAVs has brought ‘So what we had to do is create within our 63 missiles and associated maintenance with it new threats and targets. The launcher an electronic and software capability and support equipment to fit up 14 AH-64 Stinger can be used against all classes of in order to perform all of those functions aircraft. helicopters, UAS, cruise missiles and traditionally performed by a human. We had ‘We attained a contract in December manned fixed-wing aircraft. to convert all of those activities and place 2016 for both India, to put air-to-air Stinger With the threat from adversaries as them in the launcher. on the Indian Apache order, and we will prominent as ever and the ongoing delivery ‘The Stinger programme has got those over also deliver an air-to-air package for Qatar,’ of new aircraft, the missile market is as the last four or five years perfected to the Elliot announced. vibrant as ever. ▪

34 DEFENCE HELICOPTER JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 VOLUME 36 NUMBER 1 WWW.ROTORHUB.COM

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China appears to have developed two helicopters and is available in several versions including combat. simultaneously, taking both the Z-10 and Z-19 models into service within a short time of each other. Familiar design By Alexander Mladenov and Krassimir Grozev The Z-19 is in fact a distant cousin of the SA 365, retaining the characteristic tail boom with the Fenestron design, in addition hina has developed several types dedicated combat rotorcraft. It is believed to the main rotor system and engines. The of combat helicopters of late, and that the Z-19 made its maiden flight in Z-19 utilises the entire rotor system, C the country has gained a wealth of May or June 2010. The first set of blurred unchanged from the Z-9, in addition to its experience during the protracted works on images appeared on the Chinese Internet propulsion. the Z-10. However, this armoured attack in January 2011. The new light attack/reconnaissance machine was shortly followed by the much The Z-19 has been described as similar machine was shown for the first time publicly lighter and more affordable – but less to the Bell AH-1 Cobra series. The at the Zhuhai Air Show 2012, accompanying capable – Z-19 model, also fielded in mass evolution of the UH-1 to AH-1 could be the debut of the Z-10. Its next airing was at service concurrently with the Z-10. The Z-19 repeated for the Z-9 and Z-19. Therefore, the military parade in Beijing in September light attack/reconnaissance helicopter is the new Chinese combat helicopter is 2015, which saw as many as 18 Z-19s flying based on the Z-9, a mass-produced light perhaps not as new as initially supposed. in formation. Beyond these public events, twin-engine model, and is fielded in The model has been developed by there has been much speculation regarding frontline service with the Chinese military. Harbin Aircraft Industry Group (HAIG), the Z-19’s true role within the Chinese As is typical with the country’s helicopter which started the licensed manufacture of military machine. industry, little is known about the aircraft’s the Aérospatiale SA 365 Dauphin in the The Z-19 has a conventional gunship development history, and the true extent of early 1980s. The 4.3t twin-engine scheme with non-retractable undercarriage its efforts to design, test and produce helicopter is still in production at HAIG, with its tail wheel unit. The main rotor

Chinese Army Aviation has fielded the Z-19 as a lightweight anti-tank and asset. (All photos: via authors)

Parallel lines

WWW.ROTORHUB.COM VOLUME 36 NUMBER 1 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 DEFENCE HELICOPTER 37

DH-01-17_p37-39_Z-19.indd 37 1/13/2017 2:31:57 PM Z-19

system has four blades and its diameter is temperature of the exhaust gases. There is Z-19 in figures 11.9m, while the Fenestron tail rotor uses 11 also no IR jammer installed on board. The Length: 12m blades. The powerplant consists of two targeting system installed on the nose has Height: 4m WZ-8C turboshafts, each rated at 940shp. a chin turret incorporating a FLIR, TV Main rotor diameter: 11.9m The WZ-8C is actually a Chinese copy of the camera and laser rangefinder/target Empty weight: 2,350kg Turbomeca Arriel 2 used to power the designator device. Maximum gross weight: 4,500kg original Dauphin. There are photos from early 2012 that Maximum speed: 151kt The Z-19’s fuselage is very different to the show the Z-19 being tested with mast- Cruise speed: 132kt Z-9. It has been designed to be narrow mounted millimetric-wavelength radar, Rate of climb: 9m/s towards the front to accommodate slightly although there is no information on whether Service ceiling: 19,685ft stepped tandem cockpits for the two crew the aforementioned radar has been planned Range: 700km members in crashworthy seats. The pilot sits for installation on the production-standard at the front while the gunner occupies the helicopters. It is assumed that there is only rear cockpit. Both cockpits are equipped one production standard, which has been 26kg and with a 6km range and semi-active with large colour displays and the pilot is commissioned in service with the People’s laser seeker. The Z-19 has never been seen also provided with a head-up display for Liberation Army (PLA) Army Aviation branch. carrying the much heavier KD-10, which flight/navigation information and sighting of In September 2015, during the weighs 46kg. the forward-firing weapons. International Helicopter Exposition held in During the 2016 Zhuhai Air Show, the It has been suggested that the Z-19 crew Tianjin, HAIG demonstrated an export Z-19E was demonstrated on static display can use a helmet-mounted display and version designated the Z-19E, externally with a new guided missile designated cueing system, which is simpler and lighter identical to the baseline model. As yet, AG-300M. It appeared to resemble a than that developed for the Z-10, but it is information is not available regarding derivative of the YJ-9 anti-ship missile unknown if the system has already been potential export customers. employed by the Z-9D helicopters of the PLA commissioned into regular service. Crew The Z-19 carries its weapons on short Naval Aviation branch, although it featured a members use NVGs that are compatible with stub-wings with a total of four hardpoints, semi-active laser seeker. There is no the lighting in both cockpits. and has no gun or machine-gun turret information regarding whether this missile The model retains the traditional hydro- installed, unlike most – if not all – modern has already been integrated on the PLA mechanical controls inherited from the Z-9. attack helicopters in the world. The main Z-19s or is set to be ordered for export only. There is no credible information about the weapon is an HJ-10 anti-tank guided missile. presence of armour protection on board. The The designation covers a large family of Main missile cockpit glazing appears to be non-armoured missiles developed in China for both The PL-90 (TY-90) air-to-air missile is and this goes for the crew seating as well. helicopters and combat UAVs. another guided weapon in the Z-19’s The Z-19 has a simplified self-protection All missiles in the HJ-10 family share the arsenal. Featuring a dual-wavelength IR suite, with a laser warner, radar warning same general design, but feature a variety of seeker, it weighs only 20kg, with a warhead receiver and chaff/flare dispenser units. warheads, guidance systems and rocket weight of 3kg and a range of 6km. The Z-19 However, the engine exhaust ducts are motor sizes. The Z-19 uses the KD-9, one of can carry four such missiles. not provided with devices for reducing the the smallest derivatives, weighing around However, so far the KD-9 and PL-90 missiles have been seen on the outer hard points, while the inner ones were left empty or used for carrying a rocket pack, most likely due to weight restrictions. The Z-19 can use the standard Chinese-made 90mm rockets fired from seven and 19-round packs, although only seven- round ones have been seen suspended on operational helicopters. The Z-19’s arsenal is complemented by pods with 12.7mm machine guns and it is assumed that the platform can also carry 23mm gun pods. There are also photos A Z-19 shown with a showing it with two external fuel tanks. mast-mounted radome. The Z-19 was formally commissioned in Although nothing is known about service with the PLA Army Aviation arm in the development of the associated radar system, it is most likely intended late 2012, with the official name Black to provide all-weather operational capability. Whirlwind. Its production has reached a rather high tempo, and it is believed that the

38 DEFENCE HELICOPTER JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 VOLUME 36 NUMBER 1 WWW.ROTORHUB.COM

DH-01-17_p37-39_Z-19.indd 38 1/13/2017 2:31:58 PM Z-19 The Z-19 resembles the Bell AH-1 Cobra and was developed by altering the design of a utility transport helicopter.

annual rate is at least 25 units. In late 2016, So far, there is no confirmed information and less-powerful WZ-9 engine, which took the total Z-19 fleet was fielded in service that the Z-19 and Z-10 operate in an a lot of weight-reducing design efforts. with nine of the PLA Army Aviation regiments integrated manner, and it is more likely that So it is highly likely that the Z-19 was and brigades, and accounted for 100 to 120 the Z-19 comes as a direct replacement of launched as a back-up project to ensure production-standard helicopters. the anti-armour Z-9WA, with secondary roles that PLA Army Aviation would receive a The PLA Army Aviation has currently of close air support and escort of assault new-generation attack helicopter in case embarked on a serious expansion move, transport helicopters. of failure in the Z-10’s redesign effort. hitting a strength of 12 regiments and After all, the Z-19 programme offered low brigades. All regiments have between Back-up model risk at the time and promised to be quick three and five squadrons in their structure, The Z-10 plays a similar role and this leads and affordable. while the brigades have six and more. us to question why the Chinese military The Z-10 team succeeded with the There is a trend for the regiments to has fielded two types for the same roles? redesign effort and both the Z-10 and Z-19 transform into brigades, which will further The answer could be found in the entered service at the same time, despite increase the numerical strength. Currently, development timeframe of the platforms. the former being in development since the the army aviation structure incorporates at The Z-19 made its maiden flight in mid- late 1990s and having its maiden flight in least nine helicopter brigades and only 2010 and its development was initiated in April 2003. three regiments. 2007 or 2008. This is the period when the The wide introduction of the Z-10 and The Z-19 has been incorporated into the Z-10 development fell into crisis due to the Z-19 shows that PLA Army Aviation PLA Army Aviation service as a replacement withdrawal of the engine supplier, Pratt & currently relies on a varied mix of attack for the Z-9WA armed model, used mainly in Whitney Canada. helicopters. The Z-10 still suffers from the anti-tank role. Initially, it was anticipated This occurred after the discovery that being underpowered due to the low rating that the Z-19 would be used in the armed the PT-6C-76C turboshaft with FADEC of its engines, which in turn reduces its scout role, due to the mass fielding into controls had been used to power the war load and therefore its overall service of the heavier and more capable prototypes of a Chinese-made combat battlefield performance. The Z-19’s Z-10, thus broadly replicating the US Army helicopter, in a clear violation of the complementary role on the battlefield is concept of utilising the OH-58D Kiowa US-imposed arms export embargo. As a therefore necessary to keep the numerical Warrior armed scout and the AH-64D consequence, the Z-10 was modified in a strength of the attack assets available to Apache Longbow. crash manner to use the Chinese-made PLA commanders. ▪

WWW.ROTORHUB.COM VOLUME 36 NUMBER 1 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 DEFENCE HELICOPTER 39

DH-01-17_p37-39_Z-19.indd 39 1/13/2017 2:32:00 PM TAIL SPIN

Colonel David Warnick, US Army Project Manager for Joint Attack Munition Systems within the Program Executive Office Missiles and Space, speaks to Beth Maundrill about the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile programme. Missile management

s the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile The testing stage ensures that the I don’t want to jinx (JAGM) project moves forward system is designed to withstand the full my programme, but if A through the engineering, life cycle, from production to executing a manufacturing and development phase target. we continue with the (EMD), the Pentagon is eyeing the benefits ‘The missile is designed to be utilised way things have been going, the missile will have over the widely used with all the systems that currently fire the Hellfire alternative. Hellfire missiles. We have threshold we will be able to deliver Warnick told DH that to date, ten ‘risk programmes right now where it will be on the capability as soon as reduction’ shots have been carried out the Apache and it will be on the Marine possible. and some of the EMD hardware has Corps AH-1Z Viper,’ explained Warnick. been received. ‘[Other] platforms we will get to as the ‘We are very encouraged by what we have resourcing and requirements drive it and seen, everything seems to be tracking very the user needs demand it.’ nicely. I don’t want to jinx my programme, JAGM has now been tested from both millimetre-guided system in Longbow – this but if we continue with the way things have manned and unmanned platforms. The combines those capabilities into a single been going, we will be able to deliver the latest test firing, carried out in December missile,’ he said. capability as soon as possible,’ he said. from an Apache AH-64D, demonstrated its There are around 26 international The programme office awarded a capabilities in maritime conditions against customers of Hellfire that could be competitive, fixed-price contract with low- a moving target. This demonstration interested in JAGM when it has fully rate production options to Lockheed Martin highlighted the differences between JAGM developed. ‘It is premature to speculate in 2015 for the EMD phase. This followed a and Hellfire. on what other countries may see the restructure after some previous delays. As ‘The limitations of the Hellfire are value proposition of integrating JAGM,’ a result, the programme is now leveraging essentially the capabilities in the laser Warnick noted. the AGM-114R ‘Romeo’ Hellfire II warhead and the ability to see reflected energy Nevertheless, JAGM does not mean the in order to reduce risk within the project. from the target. Given the different immediate end of Hellfire, as the missile’s This lowers the cost of the missile environments, it will not get a return off shelf life is such that it will be in the US compared to the development of a new of water,’ Warnick said. inventory for the ‘foreseeable future’, warhead and motor. according to Warnick. Combination benefit ‘From my perspective, you are always On track ‘Keeping a laser on a boat or using a laser- seeing missile technologies being pushed Warnick felt that the programme was guided system in a cloudy, smoky or dusty to the limits. There has been a proliferation currently on track to demonstrate low-rate environment, where a good laser return is throughout the world of precision production readiness after completion of not possible or is difficult or reduced in its munitions and as technologies mature, production line qualification and flight signature, is why the radar capability is they become less costly. I think that’s testing. ‘Under the [low-rate production] we essential to being able to prosecute these where most of the focus has been – on the have already got, we will be doing 50 or so types of target. cost portion of missiles. We will continue to more tests under the limited user test. It ‘The biggest benefit that a JAGM will push the technologies as the threats will be over the next couple of years that provide to the warfighter is the mission change, but as those threats evolve, we you will see that transition take place to a flexibility that it offers where you have a obviously will have to take actions with the full-rate production.’ semi-active laser system in Hellfire and a missile technologies.’ ▪

40 DEFENCE HELICOPTER JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 VOLUME 36 NUMBER 1 WWW.ROTORHUB.COM

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