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Xi'an YY-20

2018 MODERN AIRCRAFT AERIAL REFUELING

History

The Xi'an YY-20 is a Chinese heavy aerial refueling tanker developed from the Y-20 military transport aircraft for the People's Liberation Army Air Force. The aircraft is also identified as the Y-20U, while the YY-20A designation is used for the version powered by D-30KP-2-series engines.

The tanker was developed to extend the airborne endurance and operating reach of Chinese combat and special-purpose aircraft. It uses hose-and-drogue refueling equipment and can transfer fuel to compatible receivers during flight.

The YY-20 program produced a modified Y-20 tanker that made its first flight on 5 December 2018. China confirmed the type's entry into service in 2022, establishing it as an operational PLAAF aerial refueling aircraft.

Development

The YY-20 was created by modifying the Y-20 strategic transport design for the aerial refueling mission. According to published technical information, the tanker can transfer up to 75,000 kg of fuel in the air. Its refueling installation includes two underwing fuel transfer units, one under each wing, together with provision for a central refueling unit in the rear of the aircraft.

The tanker entered service in 2022. A separate YY-20B version has also been presented based on the Y-20B transport aircraft and is associated with four Chinese-made WS-20 turbofan engines. This distinguishes it from the YY-20A configuration described with four D-30KP-2-series engines. Technical data for the YY-20A are available from Red Star aviation reference, while the Mitchell Institute database lists the YY-20 as an active PLAAF tanker with initial operational capability in 2022.

Design

The YY-20 retains the large four-engine airframe of the Y-20 transport aircraft while incorporating equipment for transferring fuel to other aircraft. The tanker uses the probe-and-drogue method, in which a flexible hose terminates in a stabilizing drogue that is engaged by a probe on the receiving aircraft.

Refueling system

The aircraft is described as having two underwing hose-and-drogue units and a central refueling position at the rear of the fuselage. The two wing stations allow the tanker to transfer fuel to two compatible fighters simultaneously. The rear unit is intended for refueling larger strategic or special-purpose aircraft.

Published information identifies the J-16 and J-20 among aircraft that can receive fuel from the wing stations. The rear refueling installation is described as suitable for aircraft such as the H-6N and KJ-500A.

Powerplant

The YY-20A is described with four D-30KP-2 turbofan engines, also referred to in the available source as WS-18. The later YY-20B is associated with four Chinese WS-20 turbofan engines of increased thrust.

Operational history

China officially confirmed the YY-20's service introduction in 2022. Information published for that year stated that the People's Liberation Army Air Force had three tanker aircraft.

In 2026, a Chinese YY-20 conducted aerial refueling with an Egyptian Dassault Rafale during the Eagles of Civilization exercise in Egypt. The event was reported as the first aerial refueling of a Western-designed fighter by a Chinese tanker. The Rafale and YY-20 were compatible because both used the probe-and-drogue refueling method.

The China-Egypt exercise involved joint sorties from multiple Egyptian air bases and included training for air combat, strikes against hostile targets, protection of strategically important facilities, coordinated operations, and aerial refueling.

Variants

Y-20U: Initial designation associated with the aerial refueling development of the Y-20.
YY-20A: Operational tanker version described with four D-30KP-2-series turbofan engines and hose-and-drogue refueling equipment.
YY-20B: Later tanker version based on the Y-20B transport aircraft and associated with four Chinese-made WS-20 turbofan engines.