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Air ForcesChina

WZ-10 (Z-10)

Attack helicopterFielded 2012Pending verification

Also known as: CAIC Z-10, Fierce Thunderbolt

Air ForcesCHN
Length 14.2 m
Identification silhouette. Not drawn to scale between entries.
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeAttack helicopter
Alternative designationsCAIC Z-10, Fierce Thunderbolt
Date of introduction2012
ProliferationOrigin country only
Crew2Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Length14.2 m47 ftMed[1]
Wingspan4.3 m14 ftMed[1]
Height3.8 m12 ftMed[1]
Empty weight5,100 kg11,244 lbMed[1]
Flight performance
Thrust / power1,531 hp (1,142 kW) eachMed[1]
Service ceiling6,400 m20,997 ftMed[1]
Rate of climb>10 m/sMed[1]
Protection
Stealth Propertiesfuselage is designed to reduce radar cross sectionMed[1]
ArmorCockpit and fuselage have armor plating, providing protection against 12.7mm rounds.Med[1]
Add on ArmorOn Oct 10th, 2018, the Global Times reported that additional graphene (strong and lightweight material) had been added to the fuselage to protect key components, fuel cells, and the cockpit.Med[1]
NBC ProtectionYesMed[1]
EW Counter Measures/CCMRadar receiving warning, laser receiving warning, infrared jammer, missile approach warning sensors (MAWS) and dispensers for chaff and flares.Med[1]
Counter Measures (Chaf/Flares)YesMed[1]
Armament and payload
Hardpoints4 eaMed[1]
NotesDue to its modular design concept, Z-10 can be armed with a wide variety of weaponry. The adaptation of the Chinese GJV289A standard, the Chinese equivalent of the MIL-STD-1553B databus architecture, enables weaponry of both Soviet and western origin to be…Med[1]
14.5 mm Gatling Gun (Chin Mounted-Option 3): locationChin MountedMed[1]
14.5 mm Gatling Gun (Chin Mounted-Option 3): caliber14.5 mmMed[1]
14.5 mm Gatling Gun (Chin Mounted-Option 3): maximum effective range3,000 mMed[1]
14.5 mm Gatling Gun (Chin Mounted-Option 3): muzzle velocity1,000 m/sMed[1]
14.5 mm Gatling Gun (Chin Mounted-Option 3): rate of fire600 rpmMed[1]
14.5 mm Gatling Gun (Chin Mounted-Option 3): basic load40 Round BeltMed[1]
14.5 mm Gatling Gun (Chin Mounted-Option 3): notesBS: Armor-piercing incendiary; B-32: Armor-piercing incendiary full metal jacket round with a hardened steel core; BZT: Armor-piercing incendiary tracer full metal jacket round with a steel core; MDZ: High-explosive incendiary bullet of instant action; ZP…Med[1]
HJ-9 Anti-Tank Missile (Wing Mounted-Option 1): locationWing MountedMed[1]
HJ-9 Anti-Tank Missile (Wing Mounted-Option 1): length1,200 mmMed[1]
HJ-9 Anti-Tank Missile (Wing Mounted-Option 1): diameter152 mmMed[1]
HJ-9 Anti-Tank Missile (Wing Mounted-Option 1): weight37 kgMed[1]
HJ-9 Anti-Tank Missile (Wing Mounted-Option 1): engineRocket MotorMed[1]
HJ-9 Anti-Tank Missile (Wing Mounted-Option 1): warheadTandem HEAT warhead, 1100-1200 mm penetration RHAeMed[1]
HJ-9 Anti-Tank Missile (Wing Mounted-Option 1): detonation mechanismContact FuseMed[1]
HJ-9 Anti-Tank Missile (Wing Mounted-Option 1): guidance systemLaser-beam-riding & MMW RadarMed[1]
HJ-9 Anti-Tank Missile (Wing Mounted-Option 1): operational range100 - 5,500 mMed[1]
HJ-9 Anti-Tank Missile (Wing Mounted-Option 1): notesAdditional Guided and Unguided Missisles include: HJ-8, HJ-9, PL-9, AIM-9 SidewinderMed[1]
HJ-10 Anti-Tank Missile (Wing Mounted-Option 2): locationWing MountedMed[1]
HJ-10 Anti-Tank Missile (Wing Mounted-Option 2): weight50 kgMed[1]
HJ-10 Anti-Tank Missile (Wing Mounted-Option 2): warheadHeat and othersMed[1]
HJ-10 Anti-Tank Missile (Wing Mounted-Option 2): engine propellantSolid FuelMed[1]
HJ-10 Anti-Tank Missile (Wing Mounted-Option 2): operational range3-10 kmMed[1]
HJ-10 Anti-Tank Missile (Wing Mounted-Option 2): speedSupersonicMed[1]
HJ-10 Anti-Tank Missile (Wing Mounted-Option 2): guidance systemFiber-optic wire-guided missile (AFT-10) semi-active laser homing and millimeter wave radar seeker (AKD-10) Infrared homingMed[1]
HJ-10 Anti-Tank Missile (Wing Mounted-Option 2): aircraft capible to carry16 eaMed[1]
TY-90 Air-to-Air Missiles (Wing Mounted-Option 2): locationWing MountedMed[1]
TY-90 Air-to-Air Missiles (Wing Mounted-Option 2): length1.9 mMed[1]
TY-90 Air-to-Air Missiles (Wing Mounted-Option 2): diameter90 mmMed[1]
TY-90 Air-to-Air Missiles (Wing Mounted-Option 2): weight, warhead3 kgMed[1]
TY-90 Air-to-Air Missiles (Wing Mounted-Option 2): detonation mechansimImpact/ProximityMed[1]
TY-90 Air-to-Air Missiles (Wing Mounted-Option 2): engine propllantSoldi FuelMed[1]
TY-90 Air-to-Air Missiles (Wing Mounted-Option 2): operational range0.5-6 kmMed[1]
TY-90 Air-to-Air Missiles (Wing Mounted-Option 2): flight ceiling6 kmMed[1]
TY-90 Air-to-Air Missiles (Wing Mounted-Option 2): flight alitude0-6 kmMed[1]
TY-90 Air-to-Air Missiles (Wing Mounted-Option 2): speed2 MachMed[1]
TY-90 Air-to-Air Missiles (Wing Mounted-Option 2): guidance systemImiR IRMed[1]
TY-90 Air-to-Air Missiles (Wing Mounted-Option 2): aircraft capible to carry16 eaMed[1]
CVI: WEFT: wings5 x main rotor blades.Med[1]
CVI: WEFT: engine2 x engines. Engine exhausts on both sides of fuselage.Med[1]
CVI: WEFT: fuselageAngular shaped tandem pilot canopies. Target sight system. Chin-mounted 30mm chain gun. Short, aerodynamic wing weapon load mount points, Fixed, wheeled landing gear.Med[1]
CVI: WEFT: tailTail rotor assembly features two pairs at unequal distance (located on right side of vertical stabilizer). Include tail stabilizer wings.Med[1]
ArmamentGryazev-Shipunov GSh-23; Similar to the 25 mm chain gun found in the US Bradley Fighting VehiclMed[1]
Fire control
Fire Control System TypeFly-by-wire (fully automatic)Med[1]
Fire Control RadarYH millimeter-wave fire control radarMed[1]
Sensor Suites(s) AvailableFitted to the nose and includes a TV camera, FLIR, laser designator, and range finder.Med[1]
Variants
Z-10MEUpgraded variant first unveiled in 2018 with active and passive countermeasures, missile approach warning system, radar warning receiver, new engine exhaust nozzle pointed upwards to reduce infrared signature, new intake filtration systems and armor panels…[1]
Z-10HPre-production series powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-76 turboshaft engine.[1]
Z-10KSimplified Z-10H powered with domestic Chinese WZ-9 engine of 930 - 950 kW range. Due to the drastic reduction of power by nearly a third, MASWS, IRCM, and some other subsystems removed； armor is also greatly reduced to save weight.[1]
Z-10M3 samples built for Pakistan with equipment missing in Z-10K added back, powered by WZ-9C engine with maximum power around 1000 - 1100 kW.[1]
Z-10 Millimeter Wave RadarEquipped with Z-19's millimeter wave radar for ground testing.[1]
Weapons and payload options · 2Confidence · Source
Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23Weapon
Med[1]
Range
0.2–1.8 km0–1 mi · 0–1 nmi
Caliber
23 mm
Rate of fire
3,400-3,600 rds/m
Similar to the 25 mm chain gun found in the US Bradley Fighting VehiclWeapon
Med[1]
Range
3 km2 mi · 2 nmi
Caliber
25 mm
Rate of fire
Cyclic: 200rpm with 1hp or 500rpm with 8hp
Summary

WZ-10 (Z-10) Chinese Attack Helicopter is an attack helicopter under development in China. It is designed primarily for anti-tank and battlefield interdiction operations, with a secondary air-to-air capability.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
China
Sources
  1. WZ-10 (Z-10) Chinese Attack Helicopter, U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-10 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import