Helicopters designed for multiple operational purposes are displayed in the static exhibition area at the 2025 aviation open-day activities of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force and the Changchun Air Show, which was opened on Friday in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province. Three of the four types of helicopters on display took part in China's grand military parade on September 3. Each type of helicopters has unique functions and advantages in the operational system, according to Wei Dongxu, a military analyst. "The closest one to us is the Z-20KA helicopter, a medium-sized utility helicopter of the Air Force. The Z-20 helicopter in equipment system of the Air Force plays a relatively unique role: Firstly, it can deploy assault forces or special forces, and it also has a very critical function, such as pilots rescue. If a fighter jet is shot down by enemy and the pilot ejects and parachutes into a relevant area, then Z-20KA is a very suitable equipment for rescue operations. It can fly fast at low altitudes and provide a certain degree of firepower suppression," said the analyst. As an armed helicopter, Z-10k owns advanced fire control system and multiple weapons. "What we see now is the Z-10K. Its appearance is highly distinctive, featuring a tandem two-seat cockpit for two pilots. One pilot operates the helicopter, while the other operates the airborne weapon system. They can use the cannon located at the lower front to strike ground targets. Moreover, the rotation of cannon can be integrated with the helmet of the pilot, allowing pilot to guide the cannon to strike wherever the pilot looks. On both sides of the wings, we can see that rocket launch pods, anti-tank missiles, and air-to-air missiles can be mounted. The light blue small missile on the outermost part of the wing is actually an air-to-air missile specifically developed for helicopters," the analyst said. The upgraded Z-9WA armed helicopter has enhanced reconnaissance and fire support capabilities, reflecting the diversified development of helicopter functions of PLA Air Force. "The Z-9WA is upgraded and modified based on the Z-9 helicopter, placing greater emphasis on reconnaissance and fire support capabilities. The front part of the fuselage has been modified, equipped with a radar dome and electro-optical probes. The structure of the weapon pylons on both sides is relatively simple, but they can also mount anti-tank missiles, and cannon pods. This time, the Z-9WA should be equipped with a heavy machine gun or a small-caliber aircraft cannon, reflecting further pursuit of diversification in helicopter functions of PLA Air Force," said Wei Dongxu. The Z-8KA helicopter integrates troop and equipment deployment capabilities with all-weather operational effectiveness. "Yes, this is the Z-8KA, a relatively large helicopter. Its main function is still transport, because the biggest advantage of this type is the design of a ramp at the rear cabin. When the ramp is lowered, it not only facilitates rapid personnel entry and exit but also allows small equipment, such as all-terrain vehicle 'Shanmao' (Leopard Cat), to directly enter the cargo bay. This way, we can achieve not only the deployment of assault forces but also serve as a ground mobile combat platform," said the military analyst. "The current Z-8 helicopter has also been modified with numerous optical infrared sensors underneath, allowing effective identification of ground targets whether during the day or at night. Moreover, we can see a loudspeaker-like audio device near its tail landing gear, so it cannot be ruled out that it can also conduct hailing operations, broadcast on the battlefield, and transmit information, possessing such soft-kill jamming capabilities," he added. Hosted by the PLA Air Force, the aviation open-day activities run from September 19 to 23, with the air show taking center stage. SHOTLIST: Changchun City, Jilin Province, northeast China - Sept 19-20, 2025 1. Flags, visitors at aviation open-day activities of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force and Changchun Air Show; 2. Helicopters on display; 3. Z-20KA helicopter on display; 4. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Wei Dongxu, military analyst (starting with shots 2-3/partially overlaid with shots 5-6/ending with shot 7): "The closest one to us is the Z-20KA helicopter, a medium-sized utility helicopter of the Air Force. The Z-20 helicopter in equipment system of the Air Force plays a relatively unique role: Firstly, it can deploy assault forces or special forces, and it also has a very critical function, such as pilots rescue. If a fighter jet is shot down by enemy and the pilot ejects and parachutes into a relevant area, then Z-20KA is a very suitable equipment for rescue operations. It can fly fast at low altitudes and provide a certain degree of firepower suppression."; [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 5. Various of Z-20KA helicopter on display; 6. Various of helicopters flying; [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 7. Helicopter transport demonstration in progress; 8. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Wei Dongxu, military analyst (with reporter speaking/partially overlaid with shots 9-10/ending with shot 11): "What we see now is the Z-10K armed helicopter. Its appearance is highly distinctive, featuring a tandem two-seat cockpit for two pilots. One pilot operates the helicopter, while the other operates the airborne weapon system. They can use the cannon located at the lower front to strike ground targets. Moreover, the rotation of cannon can be integrated with the helmet of the pilot, allowing pilot to guide the cannon. (Reporter: Where the pilot looks, the cannon aims.) Yes, where the pilot looks, it aims. On both sides of the wings, we can see that rocket launch pods, anti-tank missiles, and air-to-air missiles can be mounted. The light blue small missile on the outermost part of the wing is actually an air-to-air missile specifically developed for helicopters."; [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 9. Various of Z-10K armed helicopter on display; 10. Various of helicopters flying, pilot driving, live-fire demonstration in progress; [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 11. Z-10K armed helicopter on display; 12. Military analyst Wei Dongxu walking with reporter; 13. Various of Z-8KA, Z-9WA helicopters on display; 14. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Wei Dongxu, military analyst (starting with shot 13/partially overlaid with shot 15): "The Z-9WA is upgraded and modified based on the Z-9 helicopter, placing greater emphasis on reconnaissance and fire support capabilities. The front part of the fuselage has been modified, equipped with a radar dome and electro-optical probes. The structure of the weapon pylons on both sides is relatively simple, but they can also mount anti-tank missiles, and cannon pods. This time, the Z-9WA should be equipped with a heavy machine gun or a small-caliber aircraft cannon, reflecting further pursuit of diversification in helicopter functions of PLA Air Force."; [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 15. Various of Z-9WA helicopter on display; [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 16. Various of Z-8KA helicopter on display; 17. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Wei Dongxu, military analyst (starting with shot 16/partially overlaid with shot 18/ending with shot 19): "Yes, this is the Z-8KA, a relatively large helicopter. Its main function is still transport, because the biggest advantage of this type is the design of a ramp at the rear cabin. When the ramp is lowered, it not only facilitates rapid personnel entry and exit but also allows small equipment, such as all-terrain vehicle 'Shanmao' (Leopard Cat), to directly enter the cargo. This way, we can achieve not only the deployment of assault forces but also the delivery of ground mobile combat platforms. The current Z-8 helicopter has also been modified with numerous optical infrared sensors underneath, allowing effective identification of ground targets whether during the day or at night. Moreover, we can see a loudspeaker-like audio device near its tail landing gear, so it cannot be ruled out that it can also conduct hailing operations, broadcast on the battlefield, and transmit information, possessing such soft-kill jamming capabilities."; [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 18. Various of Z-8KA helicopter on display; [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 19. Various of Z-8KA helicopter on display. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]