PLA shows wide-body Z-8 and new helicopter missile
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has begun fielding a wide-body variant of the Z-8 helicopter built by Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAIC). By midyear, approximately six of these aircraft, tentatively called the Z-8L, are thought to have entered service with the 161st Air Assault Brigade of the 83rd Group Army.
Photos appearing on the Chinese internet in mid-August showed the Z-8L carrying an under-slung 6x6 all-terrain vehicle (ATV) during evaluations in Jiangxi Province. The aircraft bore the tail marking ‘PT02’, suggesting it was the second prototype.
As well as the more spacious rear cabin, visual differences include longer external sponsons
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