China Has Its Own Shipboard Version Of A Blackhawk Helicopter

Z-20 helicopters fly during The 5th China Helicopter Exposition at Free Trade Zone of Tianjin Port on October 10, 2019 in Tianjin, China. This is the latest configuration of the Z-20 we have seen to date. VCG/VCG via Getty Images

Warzone/The Drive: Here Is Our First Clear Look At China's Z-20F Seahawk Helicopter Clone (Updated)

China's navalized version of its Black Hawk clone breaks cover. Its capability is badly needed within the growing People's Liberation Army Navy fleet.

China is world-renowned for its ability to steal foreign intellectual property, reverse engineer it, and to quickly produce something similar. In fact, this relationship between espionage, design, and production has helped catapult the People's Liberation Army into a place where America's technological superiority is no longer assured. But when it comes to creating a knock-off of America's legendary Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter, China already had dozens of airframes on-hand to examine and even improve upon. You can read all about the Z-20 and China's experience with the Black Hawk in this past piece of ours. Now, with their standard Z-20 Black Hawk utility helicopter clone already in service, the rapidly expanding People's Liberation Army Navy is getting its own shipboard model, just like how the U.S. Navy has the Seahawk.

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WNU Editor: Helicopters are an essential part of any serious military. Not surprised to see the Chinese making them a priority in their plans.