The Z-19E, an export version of the Chinese indigenous Z-19 helicopter gunship, completed its maiden flight in the north-eastern city of Harbin on Thursday 18 May.

Z-19E，中国国产Z-19型武装直升机的出口型，在5月18日星期四东北城市哈尔滨完成它的首次飞行。

 

The basic variant Z-19, designed and built by AVIC Harbin Aircraft Industrial Group (HAIG), has already been serving with the PLA Army Aviation Corps since 2011. The concept of the E variant for the export market was first unveiled in September 2015.

基本型Z-19型，中航工业哈尔滨飞机工业集团（HAIG）设计和制造，自2011年以来已经在中国人民解放军陆军航空兵服役。外销市场的E改型概念于2015年9月首次亮相。

 

The Z-19 was developed from the Harbin Z-9/H425 utility helicopter, a licensed copy of the French Eurocopter AS 365 Dauphin. It inherited the engine, transmission and rotor systems of the Z-9/H425, but has a redesigned, armour-protected fuselage with two tandem seats and two stub wings for external ordinance.

Z-19型是从哈尔滨Z-9/H425型通用直升机发展，一种法国欧洲直升机公司365型“海豚”的许可型。它延用了Z-9型/ H425型的发动机、传动装置和旋翼系统，但经过重新设计，机身装甲保护两个串联座位以及两个短翼用于外部挂载。

 

As a 4-ton-class light attack helicopter, the Z-19 is not thought to be as capable as the Changhe Z-10, but it offers a low-cost alternative to the latter. The helicopter shares a large amount of components and ground support equipment with the Z-9 series, which is in service with all three branches (ground, air force and navy) of the PLA, as well as a number of foreign militaries. The commonality in logistics would make the Z-19 particularly attractive to the existing Z-9 customers.

作为一种4吨级别轻型攻击直升机，Z-19型并不像昌河Z-10型那样的能力，而是为后者提供了一种低成本的替代方案。直升机与Z-9型系列共同配备了大量的部件和地面支援设备，这是在中国人民解放军所有三个分支（地面，空军，海军）中现役，以及一些外国军队。在后勤方面的共性将使Z-19型对现有的Z-9型客户特别有吸引力。

 

The Z-19 is powered by two China National South Aviation Industry Co. (CNSAIC) WZ8C turboshaft engines (rated at 581 kW each), which have been developed from the French Turbomeca Arriel-IC1. The helicopter has an empty weight of 2,350 kg, a take-off weight of 4,250 kg, a maximum cruising speed of 245 km/h, a ferry range of 700 km, and a service ceiling of 2,400 m.

Z-19型是由两台中国南方航空工业有限公司（CNSAIC）WZ8C涡轮轴发动机（额定功率为581 kW）提供动力，从法国透博梅卡Arriel-IC1型发展。该直升机空重为2350公斤，起飞重量为4250公斤，最大巡航速度为245公里/小时，空载连续航距为700公里，实用升限为2400米。

 

The Z-19 carries a range of air-to-ground and air-to-air weapons, including the semi-active laser-homing KD-9 and KD-10 anti-tank guided missile, PL-90 IR-homing air-to-air missile, 12.7-mm machinegun pod, and unguided rocket pods. In addition, the helicopter also features an electronic countermeasures suite consisting of rear warning receivers (RWR) and an electro-optical turret (FLIR, TV and laser rangefinder).

Z-19型具有一系列空对地和空对空武器，其中包括半主动激光定位KD-9型和KD-10型反坦克导弹，PL-90型红外制导空对空导弹，12.7毫米机枪吊舱和非制导火箭荚舱。此外，直升机还具有电子对抗套件，包括后警戒雷达（RWR）和光电转塔（前视红外（FLIR），电视和激光测距仪）。

 

The exact improvement of the Z-19E over the basic variant Z-19 is unclear, but Chinese media citing the helicopter’s designer reported the Z-19E features improved sensors, integrated avionics, and better information systems for situation awareness on the battlefield.

Z-19E相对于基本型Z-19的确切改进尚不清楚，但中国媒体援引直升机设计师的报告，Z-19E具有改进的传感器，集成航空电子设备和更好的信息系统用于战场态势感知。

 

The Z-19E is generally comparable in performance and capability to the later variants of the AH-1 HueyCobra, and is particularly for low-intensity conflicts, counterterrorism, and counter-insurgency operations. The helicopter has already reportedly attracted some interest from potential foreign customers, though has yet received any confirmed order.

Z-19E的性能和能力通常与AH-1型“休伊眼镜蛇”（HueyCobra）的后期型号相当，特别适用于低强度冲突，反恐怖主义和反叛乱行动。据说直升机已经吸引了潜在的外国客户的一些兴趣，虽然还没有得到确认的订单。