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Shaanxi Y-9

2012 MODERN AIRCRAFT

History

The Chinese military is currently supporting the development of numerous military systems, from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and submarines to various small arms and aircraft. The latter category includes the Shaanxi "Y-9," which is intended to serve as a mid-range, high-wing, short-span military transport aircraft in the same style as America's prolific Lockheed C-130 Hercules series. The Y-9 has entered service with the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and is currently in mass production (2014).

At the heart of the Y-9 is an elongated derivative of the early 1980s Y-8 series, albeit with improved performance, which increases range and cargo capacity.

The Y-9 product evolved from the Y-8, code-named "Y-8X", with the overall form and function of the earlier model series. It is believed that development of this product began around 2001 and was intended as a direct successor to the existing but limited and aging Y-8 series. The high-wing layout and four-engine propeller configuration were retained, along with the streamlined fuselage and single-blade tail.

Loading ramps and doors allow access to the cargo hold at the bottom of the stern, a feature of most military cargo carriers today. The aircraft's overall appearance was undoubtedly inspired by Sino-Soviet interactions over the decades of the Cold War - the Y-8 was actually developed from the original family of Soviet Antonov An-12 "Cubs" transport aircraft.

The Y-9 is equipped with four Zhuzhou Wojiang 6C turboprops, each producing 5,100 shaft horsepower when driving a six-bladed composite prop. Performance includes a cruising speed of nearly 405 miles per hour, a ferry range of up to 7,800 kilometers and a service ceiling of up to 34,120 feet.

A model of the Y-9 was officially unveiled at the International Aviation Expo (Beijing) in 2005, and mass production is scheduled to start in 2009. However, technical issues rendered that timeline moot, and the aircraft was delayed from its maiden flight to November 2010.

Service entry into the line is believed to have occurred with the PLAAF sometime in 2012.

Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation (part of Aviation Industry Corporation of China = AVIC) also manufactured local Chinese copies of Soviet Antonov An-2 and An-24 products, proving large multi-engine military transport experience in their It is also involved in the development of the Xi'an Yun-20 heavy-duty transport strategic transport aircraft.