An air assault brigade of the 83rd Group Army, which is affiliated to the Central Theater of China, recently launched an air-ground coordinated training to further temper the army’s air-ground coordinated handling of battlefield capabilities, according to CCTV’s “Noon National Defense Military” report. The footage showed that the Z-20 general-purpose helicopters, starry camouflage, and the new QBZ-191 assault rifles were used in the military exercise.
After receiving the order, the armed reconnaissance helicopter Z-19, which is responsible for air escort missions, took the lead to take off, and then the Z-20 general-purpose transport helicopter loaded with assault infantry quickly followed up and moved towards the mission area after completing the formation in the air.
It is understood that at least three army groups of the People’s Liberation Army have been equipped with Z-20 helicopters. They are the 75th Army under the Southern Theater, the 83rd Army under the Central Theater, and the 76th Army under the Western Theater.
In the report screen, the Z-20 is also equipped with an electronic warfare pod on the right side of the power cabin. According to analysis, this pod is similar to the American AN/ALQ-184V electronic jamming pod and Israeli EL/L-8222 electronic counter pod and Russian Fire Network electronic warfare pod, the main role is to jam radar signals, thereby improving their battlefield survivability.
Since the Z-20 itself is equipped with a directional infrared countermeasure system, to a certain extent, it has improved the probability of survival in the face of infrared-guided shoulder-mounted air defense missiles. The installation of the electronic warfare pod enables Z-20 to approach the target area more safely. Coupled with the ability of the pod to jam and block radar signals, it can also carry out electronic jamming operations in transportation operations, clearing obstacles for ground assault warfare forces.
After the Z-20 and Z-19 flying formations successfully arrived at the mission area, the pilots can enter and maintain the hover position by setting the hover parameters to maintain the stability of the fuselage, and the assault infantry was quickly deployed through cable landing based on the terrain.
Subsequently, the commandos adopted alternate cover and multiple offensive methods under the cover of armed reconnaissance aircraft to quickly attack enemy targets.
During the exercise, ground assault infantry also called for air fire support. At the same time, they conducted training courses for ground material replenishment. In order to further simulate the real battlefield environment, the guidance team conducted on-site adjustments. The original replenishment point No. 1 was “struck” and the No. 2 replenishment point was temporarily used for material replenishment tasks, and the wounded were evacuated.
After replenishment, the commandos with adequate ammunition organized an offensive again, taking down the target “command post” in one fell swoop, and surrendering the remaining enemies. After the “beheading mission” was completed, Z-20 approached again to help the soldiers evacuate quickly.