Military commentator on design, capability of China's first homegrown helicopter

The Z-5 helicopter, China's first homegrown helicopter, is on display at the ongoing 7th China Helicopter Exhibition, which opened in north China's Tianjin Municipality on Thursday.

Developed in the 1950s, the Z-5 belongs to China's first generation of helicopters.

According to a military commentator, the Z-5 has witnessed the birth and evolution of China's aviation industry.

"We can say the Z-5 helicopter marks one of our first steps in the development of our helicopter research and production system. We can see its distinctive structure featuring the cockpit at the top and the crew and cargo cabins at the lower section. It's actually a two-level design," said Wei Dongxu, a military analyst.

The unique design of the Z-5 helicopter reflects the practical concepts of that early era, said the analyst.

"Moreover, we can see the part below its tail beam features a clamshell-style door. When opened, it allows soliders to quickly enter and exit the helicopter cabin. Actually, the Z-5 has a quite strong transport capacity. We can use it to deliver equipment and personnel, and even small jeeps could be loaded inside though a ramp when needed. Furthermore, the Z-5 helicopter has played an irreplaceable role in supporting many of our weapons and equipment research projects," said the analyst.

Additionally, the Z-5 helicopter has laid a solid foundation for the development of future helicopters, Wei added.

"Through the development and production of the Z-5 helicopter, we have essentially mastered the design concepts of helicopter equipment and its core systems. This has helped us accumulate substantial technology and experience for our subsequent development of other helicopters and cultivate many outstanding professionals," said Wei.

This year's expo focuses on general aviation and the low-altitude economy sectors, featuring a total of 52 helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

At the four-day event, six flight performances will be held to demonstrate the advanced tactical capabilities of China's domestically produced helicopters.

Military commentator on design, capability of China's first homegrown helicopter

Military commentator on design, capability of China's first homegrown helicopter

Multiple states across Brazil have been gripped by an intense heatwave in recent days, prompting local authorities to issue weather alerts and urging residents to take precautions, with the high temperatures forecast to continue.

Southeastern states including Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais have been experiencing the most extreme heat, with temperatures climbing to a sweltering high of 40.8 degrees Celsius in Rio de Janeiro on Monday.

Authorities across the country have been sending out weather warnings, with residents being advised to avoid prolonged outdoor activities and medics reminding people to take measures to ensure they stay hydrated.

"[You have to] drink plenty of water, use a fan. There is not much you can do to escape it, really. It is absurdly hot," said Ana Flavia, a local resident in Sao Paulo.

"With this change in temperature and the excessive heat, we see a lot of cases of dehydration," said Tiago Foliate Pitirilo, a doctor from the city's Hospital Sao Camilo.

The sweltering heat may be around for a while more, according to experts, who say higher water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean mean Brazil is likely to face more frequent heatwaves this year.

"The ocean forecast indicates that in the second half of the year we will have a warmer Pacific Ocean. This allows us to infer that the number of heat waves in 2026 may be higher than last year, when the Pacific Ocean was cooler," said Marecelo Seluchi, a meteorologist from Brazil's National Center for Monitoring and Alerts for Natural Disasters (CEMADEN).

Brazil in midst of heatwave with more extreme temperatures expected