Rotorcraft
China Has High Hopes For Z-20 Helicopter
Supposedly but not entirely a clone of the US Black Hawk, the Z-20 is expected to be used on multiple missions by China’s army, air force and navy.
Two Z-20 helicopters were seen at a civil airport in the highlands of Gansu province. (Chinese Internet Weibo @lyhfire)
Two Z-20 helicopters were seen at a civil airport in the highlands of Gansu province. (Chinese Internet Weibo @lyhfire)

China’s new Z-20 medium utility helicopter has come closer to full operational capability by completing high-altitude tests at Xiahe airfield in Gansu Province. Photos of two Z-20s—serials 635, 636 bearing the insignia of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF)—emerged on the Chinese internet, indicating that the helicopters were handed over to the service from their manufacturer the Harbin Aircraft Industry Group (HAIG), for final tests and evaluations. The tests were conducted at up to 4,000 m (13,200 feet).