Y 20 Aircraft - Officially unveiled in 2006, the Xian Y-20 code-named "Kunpeng" is a large military transport aircraft developed by Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation, a part of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China. It is being built for the People's Liberation Army Air Force under assistance from Russia and Ukraine. The aircraft is named Kunpeng after the mythical bird of ancient China that can fly thousands of kilometers.
It is the first indigenous-developed heavy military transport aircraft and also the biggest domestic strategic airlifter ever built in China. The aircraft is more commonly known by its nickname Chubby Girl in reference to its wide fuselage.
Y 20 Aircraft
The Y-20 aircraft has participated in both the parade celebrating the 90th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the National Day parade celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, as well as taking part
in joint exercises and military drills abroad. The 200-ton military cargo aircraft features a deep and wide fuselage for the cargo section and a T-tail empennage structure with high-mounted horizontal surfaces on the vertical stabilizer. The center fuselage is hinged with moderately sweptback, high-mounted monoplane wings integrating triple-slotted trailing-edge flaps developed by the Ukrainian Antonov Design Bureau.
The twin, Russian D-30KP-2 turbofan engine nacelle is mounted under each wing and composite materials are used in the airframe to keep the weight low. It is capable of performing missions in adverse weather conditions and can land at small airports in mountainous regions.
By developing this airlifter, China is devoting major resources to military transport development, design, technologies and production capabilities. It is likely that they will continue development of large and heavy transport aircraft not only for the domestic sector but for export to other countries as well.
On February 13, 2020, the Y-20 aircraft flew to central China's city of Wuhan for emergency airlift in the battle against the COVID-19 outbreak, which was the first time the Y-20 participated in non-war military operations, as well
as the first time for the Chinese Air Force to dispatch large and medium-sized transport aircraft for large-scale emergency air delivery missions. "It usually takes longer time for a common transport aircraft to make the movement. Although the Y-20 is large in size, it is more flexible in making the movement with less time. For instance, a Y-20 aircraft can make a steeper
turn than other transport aircraft, which can shorten the time needed," said Jiao Xuehao, pilot of the Y-20 aircraft. Layout of the Y-20 is typical for a modern military heavy transport aircraft. It is powered by four Russian D-30KP2 turbofan engines.
These were developed by Solovyev Design Bureau back in the 1960s. It has been reported that in the future indigenous WS-20 engines will be used. The plane has been designed for deployment in the transportation of personnel and heavy equipment during military assault, humanitarian assistance and peacekeeping missions.
It can also be used for airborne early warning and control, anti-submarine warfare and aerial refueling missions. The People's Liberation Army Air Force requires 400 Y-20 transport aircraft and expects deliveries to begin in 2017. With a payload capacity of 60-66 tons, it can carry most large combat and support vehicles, including the Type 99 series tanks.
Previously only Russia, Ukraine and US were capable of developing and manufacturing heavy military cargo aircraft with such payload capacity. In terms of payload, the Y-20 fits between a larger Boeing C-17 Globemaster III (77 t) and similar in size
Russian Ilyushin Il-76 (50 t). It is worth noting that the Il-76 is in service with the Chinese air force. However, the Y-20 is also superior to the Il-76 in terms of aerodynamic arrangement and performance.
The shortest take-off distance of the Y-20 is 600 to 700 meters, with a maximum take-off weight of 220 tons. This is achievable with the four Soloviev D-30KP-2 turbofan engines developing a maximum power output of 14 tons, offering a higher bypass ratio for fuel efficiency and powering this behemoth to a cruise speed of Mach 0.75 (918 km/h).
Its range is estimated to be 4,500 km with maximum payload, 7,800 km with 40 tonnes and 10,000+ km with paratroops operating at a service ceiling of 42,700 feet The Y-20 airlifter has a glass cockpit, which accommodates three crew members, including two pilots and a loadmaster.
Cargo is loaded through a large rear ramp assembly that allows for rolling stock and loading / unloading large-sized cargo and equipment. It incorporates two main heavy-duty retractable landing gear units and a nose assembly, consisting of three rows, with a pair of wheels for each row, amounting to six wheels in total for each unit.
The steerable nose gear includes a standard twin-wheel leg unit for runway taxiing, and the rugged landing gear allows take-offs and landings on rough airfields or unpaved runways. The aircraft measures 47 meters in length, 18 meters in height and has a wingspan of 50 meters.
The Y-20 has many features of the Ukrainian An-70 military transport. Also a dog shows some influence of the Boeing C-17 in the tail section and cargo compartment. Composite materials are widely available used in the airframe to keep the weight low.
The Y-20 has a payload capacity of around 60-66 t. It can carry the largest combat and support vehicles, including the Type 99 series main battle tanks. In 2010 some changes were actually made to the design of the aircraft in order to carry these tanks.
"As one of the equipment of vital importance to China, Y-20 aircraft also reflects the significant improvement of Chinese Air Force's combat capacity. In recent years, we've undertaken various missions, to the plateaus, far seas, and other countries,
getting integrated into the training system. Y-20 aircraft have not only completed various training tasks assigned by our superiors, but also successfully completed non-war military operations like emergency air delivery, medical care, rescue, and material supplies to Wuhan and Shanghai,
said Jiao.
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