China’s Z-20: Is China’s “Black Hawk Helicopter” A Worthy Competitor?

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By Kris Osborn – Warrior Maven

(Washington D.C.) The helicopters look similar, but that does not mean they both perform to the same high degree.

Given that China’s Z-10 attack helicopter looks like a transparent rip-off of the U.S. Apache, it might not surprise many to see that China’s upgraded Z-20 utility helicopter, sure enough, looks almost identical to a U.S. Army Black Hawk.

However, just how capable is it? It would seem unlikely if not impossible to posit that China’s upgraded Z-20, intended for increased operations in the high-altitude plateau areas of Western China, can in any way rival the Army’s new Future Long Range Assault Aircraft slated to emerge in coming years. More realistically, can it rival an upgraded U.S. Black Hawk M-model helicopter?

While China’s Z-20 may resemble the Black Hawk when it comes to external configuration, as it does look nearly identical in shape and structure, it may or may not compare when it comes to engine power, lift-capacity, digital avionics, targeting sensor technology, high-hot conditions capability and weapons performance.