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 Y-20
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Currently 603 Institute, XAC and SAC are developing an advanced 4-engine large transport (Y-20?) which is smaller than American C-17 and based upon some IL-76MD technology.
As the result assistance was sought from Antonov Design Bureau in 2008.
Its max payload was expected to be around 50t and max TO weight >200t. Fitted with high-lift devices along the wing leading and
trailing edges, the aircraft is capable of taking off from relatively short and unpaved runways, making many temporary airfields
behind the battlefield accessible. Currently it is unclear whether the aircraft will have an IFR probe installed or not. The
prototypes and the initial batch may be powered by Russian D-30KP-2/WS-18 turbofans, later by the modified WS-10 (WS-118?). A full-scale metal mock-up (head section) of Y-20
was constructed by 2008 and the first flight is projected in 2012. On August 20, 2009 SAC started to build the rear fuselage of
the first prototype. It was reported (April 2010) that the full-scale mock-up was completed in early 2010. It was speculated
that the aircraft might serve as the testbed for the Chinese airborne laser weapon prototype similar to American YAL-1 which is
thought to be under development. Y-20 is also expected to be converted to a tanker replacing the obsolete H-6U
(see below). It might also serve as the carrier of the next generation AWACS replacing KJ-2000. The latest rumor (January
2012) that claimed that the airframe of the first prototype has been constructed, to be fitted with the avionics and engines.
In addition the next generation of medium transport aircraft was rumored to be under
development at XAC/603 Institute as well, powered by two modified WS-10 turbofans. Its max payload is around 25t.
- Last Updated 1/10/12 |
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Il-76MD Candid
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In an effort to modernize its small and aging transport fleet (mainly Y-7/An-26 and
Y-8/An-12), PLAAF (via CAAC) purchased at least 14 Il-76MD transport
aircraft (max load 48t, normal range 5,000km) from Russia and Uzbekistan in the early 90s in two batches. Even
though they were painted as IL-76MD, these aircraft appear to be the unarmed T/TD model with the tailgun and
other military electronic equipment removed. Once operated by China United Airline (B-403x-404x), the
fleet is now flown directly by PLAAF 13th Division. These Il-76MDs
are closely associated with Army's airborne divisions (15th Army) in many military exercises, where they drop
not only paratroopers, but also heavy equipment including a new type of AFVs (ZBD03). This can be viewed as a
significant boost to PLA's rapid reacting capability. Four of them were converted to KJ-2000 AWACS.
It was reported in September 2005 that China signed a contract for additional 30 Il-76MDs (or Il-76MFs)
with Russia, but deal is currently on hold due to rising cost at the manufacturer. The Chinese Il-76MDs
are expected to be replaced by the indigenous Y-20 (see above). The latest news (December 2011)
claimed that China ordered 3 second-hand Il-76s from Russia instead of waiting for the newly constructed
airframes. All are expected to be delivered in 2012.
- Last Updated 12/22/11 |
Y-9 
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The first Y-9 prototype (#941) is shown here parked
at CFTE airfield. The design was first unveiled at the 11th Beijing Airshow in September 2005. Y-9 is the next generation medium-size and medium-range transport
aircraft to replace the obsolete Y-8 transport aircraft. It appears to have superseded the earlier Y-8-X project
(initially dubbed Y-8U?). The aircraft features a stretched cargo cabin which can quickly load/unload maximum 20t
containerized cargo, or airdrop 13.2t equipment or 98 paratroopers. It also has a 4-crew cockpit featuring 6 color MFDs and EFIS. The aircraft is equipped with advanced communication,
navigation, radar, EGWPS, collision avoidance systems to ensure safe flight under all weather conditions.
Similar to the Y-8 "Category III Platform", Y-9 is powered by 4 WJ-6C turboprops (rated @ 5,100ehp each)
with JL-4 6-blade propellers made of composite materials, which improve its high temperature and high altitude
performance. It also has solid nose and tail cone housing a weather radar and other electronic equipment. An EO
turret (containing FLIR/TV) is mounted underneath the nose for all weather/low altitude operation. Its horizontal
tailplanes have additional samll vertial stabilizers intalled as well to improved its stability at low speeds.
Some specifications: max TO weight 65t, max payload 20t or 106 paratroopers, 15t payload range 2,200km, max range
5,000km, max level speed 650km/h, cruise speed 550km/h, service ceiling 10,100m, cruise altitude 8,000m.
The development of Y-9 started officially in October 2005 and the construction of the first prototype (tail
and head sections) started in 2006. However the project appeared to have been halted in 2007 due to shifting the
production to the high priority High New series as well as Y-8C transport aircraft. The development of
Y-9 resumed in late 2008 after the two year delay and the first prototype
was thought to have made its maiden flight on November 5, 2010.
- Last Updated 1/2/12 |
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Y-8E Cub
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Y-8E (YM-8?) is the drone carrier variant of Y-8/An-12 transport aircraft. It
has been modified to carry two WZ-5/CH-1 drones under the wing which will
be released in the air for recon missions. The drones are later recovered using parachutes. This design
is similar to American DC-130 which carried two Teledyne Ryan BMQ-147Hs during the 60s. 20 BMQ-147Hs
were shot down over China by HQ-2 SAM and J-6 fighter throughout the 60s. The captured drone was later
reverse-engineered by Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (BUAA) and became
known as WZ-5. Y-8E first flew in 1990 and is now in small
number service (serial number 41x9) replacing the obsolete Tu-4 drone carrier for WZ-5 operations. It was
reported that the newly built WZ-5s have been upgraded with a new mission computer, GPS/INS, CCD camera
and IIR camera. The Y-8E/WZ-5 system is expected to be replaced by the new WZ-9A UAVs.
- Last Updated 3/28/10 |
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H-6U/DU Badger
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As the first generation tanker operated by PLAAF, H-6U (K/JHU6?) was developed by
Xian Aircraft Corporation in the early 90s based on H-6/Tu-16 bomber in order to support J-8D to gain
air-superiority over South China Sea after clashes between Chinese and Vietnamese naval forces in the Spratlys
in 1988 (Project 8911). The aircraft carries two underwing hose-and-drogue RDC-1
refueling pods and can refuel two J-8Ds simultaneously (a maximum of 6 J-8Ds can be refueled in
one sortie). Additional signal and illumination lights are installed beneath the pod as well as on the fuselage
for night refueling. However it is unclear that the refueling system is NVG compatible.
The aircraft features a solid nose housing a weather radar. New navigational (including INS & TACAN), EW (RWR &
chaff/flare dispenser) and flight control systems were also installed. Two large fuel tanks have occupied the
original internal bomb bay. However, compared to KC-135, H-6U's internal fuel capacity is fairly limited
(max 34t, but down to 10t at 2,200km radius) due to its original design as a medium-range bomber, and its loitering
time is much shorter due to the high fuel consumption rate of two WP-8 turbojets. Nevertheless since it can cruise
at a higher speed, it was chosen instead of Y-8/An-12 as the tanker to support J-8D. H-6U first flew
in 1990 and the first in-flight refueling occurred in 1992 with modified J-8B. About two dozen H-6Us (serial
# 18x9x) are in service with PLAAF. They are stationed in Southeast China facing
Taiwan as well as South China Sea. Besides J-8D, H-6Us can also support J-8H/F, as well as
the newly introduced J-10/10S. The Navy also had some of its
H-6D (serial # 81x2x, 82x3x) maritime
bombers converted into the tanker role (H-6DU?) in order to support its own J-8D/F fleet. H-6U is
might be upgraded with the more fuel efficient D-30KP-2/WS-18 turbofan engine in the future. The latest rumor
(September 2011) claimed that Chinese are testing a new flying-boom IFR system onboard a Russian Tu-204 cargo
aircraft. This system is expected to support the next generation stealth aircraft such as J-20 .
- Last Updated 9/14/11 |
