In a blink of an eye, Zhi-10 has been in batch service for more than 6 years. As the first attack helicopter in China, Zhi-10 actually bears too many difficulties. Many people think that the comprehensive performance of Zhi-10 can't be compared with internationally renowned helicopters at all, and it is just a fledgling domestic basic helicopter. Is that really the case?
In the 1990s, the Chinese Army Air Force longed for a modern patented attack helicopter. Because Zhi -9' s maneuverability, equipment protection ability, fire control system and airborne ammunition can't meet the development needs of Army Aviation. Therefore, the demand for special attack helicopters is imminent. If we can't develop it ourselves, we can only choose to buy it from outside.
At that time, most people's opinions were more inclined to purchase mature attack helicopters from outside in order to quickly form combat effectiveness, and the Russian Ka -50 was one of the key models at that time.
If attack helicopters are purchased from outside, the order quantity may be as high as 100, and the total contract amount may be really huge with the related supporting expenses such as personnel training and post-maintenance. And the key point is that from now on, China will only follow others in the field of attacking helicopters and act according to people's faces, which is unacceptable to our army. Therefore, AVIC began the difficult course of developing Zhi-10.
In fact, the development process is not smooth, because at the turn of the century, Zhi-10 is still working hard. At this time, the external temptation still exists. Russia directly brought Card 50 to Zhuhai Air Show. If China quits after difficulties, it only needs to spend some money to buy a Russian KA50 helicopter.
Fortunately, our military industry did not give up. In 2003, the first flight of Zhi-10 prototype was successful. Although it is only a medium-sized attack helicopter, it is of great significance to our aviation. After serving, it became the main equipment of our army's army aviation. Even if it met a heavy attack helicopter, it didn't make a fool of itself at all.