China's transport, tanker & heavy lift aircraft

Franklin said:

66 tons is the figure that's often given for this transporter. However here is my question the IL-76 can only transport 40 tons and the Y-20 can transport 66 tons but both use the same engines. How can China get more than 26 tons out of the same 4 engines ? I know about lighter electronic parts, increase of use of composite materials and redesigned airframe for better aerodynamic performance. But still 26 tons ?

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A good question, currently Y-20 certainly won't be lifting 66 tons or anywhere near that weight, during the test and evaluation stage various loads will be tested but the aircraft a has a capacity of 66 tons, which means its airframe, cargo load, wheel base etc etc are design to lift 66 tons but likely could do more like all heavy lifters

Once the Chinese indigenous engine is installed no doubt the airframe can be further strengthens and more powerful engines can be upgraded, I bet China has built this aircraft so that in future it can be substantially upgraded

bladerunner said:

One of the sites I was reading stated that the wings were built by the Ukraine-based ANTK Antonov and the engines are Russian D-30KP2.... ??????????.

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Aside from the engine that is nothing but rumor. Some people in the west can't get over the fact that they don't have monopoly on aerospace technology anymore.

We know that China did contract out some of the work to Antonov but we don't know what is the extend of the work that is contracted out. It could be as simple as design review and verification all the way to complete aerofoil design which I doubt it . Since there is enough talent and skill in China to do their own design. the same with structural analysis and aerodynamic analysis.

Most likely is design verification and consulting service since the equivalent of Chinese FAA has no experience with design of large cargo plane.

But it doesn't in any way diminish or depreciate the achievement of Chinese aerospace industry. In highly technical project like large plane or Nuclear Power, Semi submersible the design need to be verify by independent body of regulator or agency like FAA, NRC, DVN

The engine will be replaced with domestic equivalent in near future. for a long time the the Aero engine project was fragmented and underfunded. Now China has streamlined the design office and budgeted to the tune of 7 billion dollar over the next 5 to 10 years

So I say stuff it for the sour grape critic out there

I find the prominence of state media coverage over this plane very interesting.

Compared to J-20 or even J-31, a lot of the inforamtion we're getting from the likes of people's daily are from "official" sources, and they even quote specifications, like payload, mtow, dimensions and even range at carrying various payloads.

Obviously there is a lot of pride associated with finally having a larger transporter, but it is also far safer to disclose the information regarding transporters like Y-20 compared to disclosing say, the specs of J-20 or even J-31, even though one could argue they may have similar strategic consequences in future.


Also, I have to say that personally I am very impressed with what Y-20 has turned out to be. Its dimensions and in particular its fuselage geometry really is superior to Il-76/476, and its max payload of 66 tons (presumably with WS-20) is very impressive too. The high lift devices on the wings, the landing gear all points to STOL capability too. Once C-17 goes out of production in coming years Y-20 may be the most capable transporter on the market for countries to buy. It's also a very handsome plane of course, I actually think it looks better than every other, C-17, A400M, Il-76 and C-2. All in all, C-17 has exceeded all of my expectations, in particualr the payload. I was expecting 60 tons max, to be able to carry Type 99A2, but 66 is even better.

Bltizo said:

All in all, C-17 has exceeded all of my expectations, in particualr the payload. I was expecting 60 tons max, to be able to carry Type 99A2, but 66 is even better.

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Blitzo, need amendment.

with the advent of more powerful CJ-2000 ,possible of a extended fuselage or sligtly enlarge Y-20 may be in drawing board.

Hendrik_2000 said:

Aside from the engine that is nothing but rumor. Some people in the west can't get over the fact that they don't have monopoly on aerospace technology anymore.

We know that China did contract out some of the work to Antonov but we don't know what is the extend of the work that is contracted out. It could be as simple as design review and verification all the way to complete aerofoil design which I doubt it . Since there is enough talent and skill in China to do their own design. the same with structural analysis and aerodynamic analysis.

Most likely is design verification and consulting service since the equivalent of Chinese FAA has no experience with design of large cargo plane.

But it doesn't in any way diminish or depreciate the achievement of Chinese aerospace industry. In highly technical project like large plane or Nuclear Power, Semi submersible the design need to be verify by independent body of regulator or agency like FAA, NRC, DVN

The engine will be replaced with domestic equivalent in near future. for a long time the the Aero engine project was fragmented and underfunded. Now China has streamlined the design office and budgeted to the tune of 7 billion dollar over the next 5 to 10 years

So I say stuff it for the sour grape critic out there

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According to Pupu, WS-20's development is the smoothest among all the domestic engines programs.

Bltizo said:

I find the prominence of state media coverage over this plane very interesting.

Once C-17 goes out of production in coming years Y-20 may be the most capable transporter on the market for countries to buy. It's also a very handsome plane of course, I actually think it looks better than every other, C-17, A400M, Il-76 and C-2. All in all, C-17 has exceeded all of my expectations, in particualr the payload. I was expecting 60 tons max, to be able to carry Type 99A2, but 66 is even better.

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China itself will need at least 300 Y-20's, I think. That would get the various plants busy for at least 10 years just to meet the domestic needs. So the Americans and Russians won't face competition for a long time to come. When that time comes, who knows, UFO type of vehicles may have started to replace all such clumzy flying machines... By the way, I'm sure you meant "Y-20 has exceeded all of my exectations, ..."

Deino said:

By the way, were any additional information given in line with the "unveiling" ?? ... who's the chief designer, who was the test pilot ???

Deino

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Huuuu !!!???

Bltizo said:

I find the prominence of state media coverage over this plane very interesting.

Compared to J-20 or even J-31, a lot of the inforamtion we're getting from the likes of people's daily are from "official" sources, and they even quote specifications, like payload, mtow, dimensions and even range at carrying various payloads.

Obviously there is a lot of pride associated with finally having a larger transporter, but it is also far safer to disclose the information regarding transporters like Y-20 compared to disclosing say, the specs of J-20 or even J-31, even though one could argue they may have similar strategic consequences in .

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I think it is more due to the type of plane. While transport plane can be used offensive missions but people are less threatened by a harmless big ass slow plane with no missiles compared to a stealth fighter jet. Which provoke the image of big bad china launching offensive missions in taiwan airspace under srealth protection or some other US allies. That fits the usual western narrative in their media which Beijing does not like I presume.