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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. 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 also rumored 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.
The next generation of medium transport aircraft was believed 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 7/1/10 |
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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 20 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 electroic equipment removed. Operated by China United Airline (B-403x-404x), a "civilian"
airline owned by PLAAF 34th 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, as demonstrated during the the relief operations to send 5,000 marines
to battle the heavy flood in summer 1998. Some of them (4?) have been converted to KJ-2000 AWACS.
It was reported in September 2005 that China signed a contract for 30 Il-76MDs (or Il-76MFs) with
Russia, but no delivery has been made by 2009.
- Last Updated 6/17/09 |
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Y-9
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The new Y-9 design was first unveiled by SAC at the 11th Beijing Airshow
in September 2005. Y-9 is a medium-size and medium-range
transport aircraft which appears to have superceded the earlier Y-8-X project (initially dubbed Y-8U?).
It features a spacious 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. The aircraft will be 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. 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 section) started in
2006. However the project appeared to have been halted in 2007. The developement of an improved design
resumed in late 2008 after the two year delay. The latest rumor suggested that the Y-9 project may
have been superceded by a new medium transport aircraft design which is larger and powered by 4 upgraded
turboprop engines. The aircraft might be in the same class as Ukraine An-70. This design is expected to
compete with a similar design powered by two turbofan engines (see above).
- Last Updated 1/8/10 |
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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 bulit 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 bombbay. 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 a few 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 expected
to be upgraded with the more fuel efficient D-30KP-2/WS-18 turbofan engine in the future.
- Last Updated 6/18/10 |
