China's Z-20J shipborne helicopter, an optimized variant of the Z-20 tactical utility helicopter, made its debut at the ongoing 7th China Helicopter Exhibition, which opened in north China's Tianjin Municipality on Thursday.
Featuring new technologies and products for the general aviation and low-altitude economy sectors, this year's expo showcases a total of 52 helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
The four-day event will hold six flight performances to show the advanced tactical capabilities of China's homegrown helicopters.
This year, the expo witnessed the first appearance of Z-20J shipborne helicopter at the event.
"The Z-20J shipborne helicopter made its debut at China Helicopter Exhibition. It is an optimized variant of the Z-20 tactical utility helicopter specifically adapted for the shipborne environment. It has foldable rotor and tail boom and is capable of conducting high-speed assault and deliver enhanced combat performance. The Z-20J shipborne helicopter is primarily deployed on large naval vessels such as amphibious assault ships and landing ships. Its missions include troop transport and fire support operations," said Lin Ziyu, exhibitor representative at the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AICC).
The Industry Pavilion at the Expo highlights the concept of "system operations", with some of real helicopters being presented to the public.
"This is the first time the real Z10ME helicopter appeared at the exhibition. As a medium multi-purpose combat helicopter, it demonstrates good flight performance and ultra-low-altitude maneuverability and can carry out diverse missions in all-weather complex battlefield environments with field supports. It can form deep-strike echelons with helicopters including the Z-9, Z-11, and Z-20. It can also coordinate with the 'Xuange' series of unmanned aerial vehicles to establish a combat system characterized by precision firepower and balanced offensive and defensive capabilities," said Lin.
Z-20J shipborne helicopter makes debut at China Helicopter Exhibition
The Shenzhou-21 crew aboard China's orbiting Tiangong space station completed their mission's third series of extravehicular activities (EVAs) on Friday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
The astronaut trio -- Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang -- worked for roughly five and a half hours and completed their EVAs at 01:36 (Beijing Time), assisted by the space station's robotic arm and a team on Earth.
The trio completed the installation of a space debris protection device for the space station, and extravehicular equipment and facility inspections, among other tasks. Zhang Lu, the commander of the Shenzhou-21 mission, and Wu Fei conducted the spacewalk and returned to the Wentian lab module safely, according to the CMSA.
Zhang Lu has so far carried out seven EVAs, making him one of the Chinese astronauts with the most spacewalks to date.
Since completing their second series of EVAs on March 16, the Shenzhou-21 astronauts have steadily advanced experiments in areas such as space life sciences, human research, and microgravity physical science. They have carries out in-orbit environmental monitoring, equipment inspection and maintenance, and supply management. The crew has also completed a full-system pressure emergency drill, emergency life-support training, and preparations for extravehicular activities.
The three astronauts have been in orbit for more than five months and remain in good working and living condition.
To further validate technologies related to long-term human habitation in orbit and to maximize the comprehensive benefits of using the Shenzhou-22 spacecraft as an emergency launch vehicle to resupply the space station, it has been decided, after careful evaluation and assessment, that the crew's stay in orbit will be extended by approximately one month.
During the upcoming phase of their space journey, the crew will continue to conduct scientific experiments and technical tests, and will also celebrate the Space Day of China, which is marked annually on April 24, and the International Workers' Day on May 1 while in orbit.
Shenzhou-21 astronauts complete 3rd series of extravehicular activities
