Xian Y-20 (Kunpeng)

History

After decades of relying on Soviet and Russian aircraft types and replicating locally, the Chinese have undertaken several domestic programs to further develop their booming aviation industry. Recent developments include the acclaimed Chengdu J-20 stealth aircraft and the Xi'an Yun-20, still in development in January 2013, which was launched for China to develop its own strategic transport aircraft. The program was launched in 2006, and delays pushed the initial unveiling to December 2012, followed by ground testing soon after.

The first flight of the Y-20 platform was recorded on January 26, 2013, and the program now includes two complete prototypes managed by Xi'an Aircraft Industry Corporation (also referred to herein as "Xi'an"). The Y-20 officially entered service with the PLA Air Force on July 6, 2016.

Its design is attributed to the "603 First Aircraft Design Institute" in Xi'an (part of AVIC).

While China's military aircraft industry has made reasonable progress since the days of full reliance on the Soviet Union, China's engine industry has lagged behind in producing viable, high-performance "high-bypass" turbofan engines. The technology for more powerful in-house power plants remains somewhat elusive for the country, as well as India's burgeoning defense sector, as engine development is a costly, technology-intensive process with many hurdles to overcome. China's aviation industry, such as India, is decades behind the West and Russia, which have jet engines dating back to World War II.

Much knowledge was accumulated and refined during this period, which was eventually passed on to the smaller defense industry in only basic form. If Chinese industry eventually develops the powerful internal "high bypass" turbofan engine to power their new Y-20, the transport aircraft will surely become a very special strategic theater transport aircraft.

While the Y-20 is still in development at the time of this writing (2013), the Y-20's timely debut comes at a time of instability in the Asia-Pacific region, where China's growing military influence is becoming evident. The country is in a dispute with Japan over the ownership of the island chain with potentially lucrative natural resources.

The Y-20's debut appears to coincide with other recent Chinese homegrown developments aimed at showing China as a senior military player. In recent years, the country has launched various types of light and medium attack aircraft, drones, armed attack helicopters, next-generation main battle tanks, and even a new combat aircraft carrier currently (2013) undergoing sea trials.

The threat to the region is so great that U.S. troops stationed in the region and regional waters on the Korean peninsula are constantly on the alert. All sides want to know what's next in a possible showdown.

AVIC also proposed a more compact transport aircraft, the Y-30. In addition, there are plans to build larger air lifts.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes