China's Z-10 Attack Helicopter

China’s military has revealed an upgraded Z-10 attack helicopter with a more powerful engine with reduced infrared signal.

The latest Z-10 ‘s engine has its exhaust openings facing upward instead of outward like the early model, reported Weihutang, a column on military affairs, state media reported.

The upgraded Z-10 participated in a military exercise with the PLA's 80th Group Army on February 8, according to official photos uploaded on the military's WeChat account.

With the exhaust from engines pointed upward instead of outward can lower the helicopter's infrared signal, and weapons like infrared guided missiles will less likely lock on to the helicopter. However, this design will increase drag force, raising the power requirement for the helicopter's engines.