judging by other recent big transports around the wrold, y20 might go in production around 2016 or so with initial service entry in 2017. large transports dont have nearly as demandingand exhausting testing phases as combat aircraft do. delays are always possible, though.
China's transport, tanker & heavy lift aircraft
- Thread starter Totoro
- Start date
asif iqbal
Lieutenant General
C17 Globemaster and Y-20 are big but has anyone seen a C-17 standing next to a the C-5 Supergalaxy it's huge
C-5 can lift two battle ready MBT
C-5 can lift two battle ready MBT
volleyballer
Banned Idiot
Yeah the C-5 is humongous. However, in this case, its biggest strength is also its biggest weakness.
The C-5s are rarely used since its weight requires hardened runways. A C-17 on the other hand, can land on improvised runways. Take-off/landing on rough runways are built into the Y-20 requirements from the beginning.
Pretty cool to look at though.
TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
C5 also has issues of Age and maintenance. They date from the American actions of Vietnam. And have not always aged well. That's why the C5M was developed to get them up to spec. But with C17s now in the hundreds for the USAF, C5 is a bit redundant.
on order and delivered as it stands there will be 266 C17s with 224 to wear USAF livery.
the Y20 can only hope to be that much of a success.
on order and delivered as it stands there will be 266 C17s with 224 to wear USAF livery.
the Y20 can only hope to be that much of a success.
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I would argue the Il-76 is a much more successful plane than the C-17.
Anyway, I can see the PLA alone wanting 200 Y-20s for a variety of roles. With shutdown of the C-17 pipeline, Y-20 will be the most capable airlifter in production ina couple of years, and it could be a pretty hot export product as well.
Anyway, I can see the PLA alone wanting 200 Y-20s for a variety of roles. With shutdown of the C-17 pipeline, Y-20 will be the most capable airlifter in production ina couple of years, and it could be a pretty hot export product as well.
TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
True hard to argue with what 960 or so built. But the Question for how good the Y20 sells on export is how many countries will or can replace there IL76. I mean some nations are just not going to be in a position to do it. Second what is on the market to complete. There are emerging alternatives.
In the strategic class there is only the Y-20 and Il-476 going into the future, and the Japanese C-2 and European A400M in the tactical-strategic class. C-17 is ending production next year.
Out of all the near and medium term alternatives, Y-20, if it lives up to its specs, should be the highest performer out of all of them.
Y-20s export potential depends on PLAAF demand, price, production capacity, maintenance support, and perceived competency/marketing.
Out of all the near and medium term alternatives, Y-20, if it lives up to its specs, should be the highest performer out of all of them.
Y-20s export potential depends on PLAAF demand, price, production capacity, maintenance support, and perceived competency/marketing.
TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
And if there is demand. Nations could just referb there existing fleet.
not an expert in aircraft production but doesn't it take about 8years of continuous testing before an aircraft is finally ready for production? and the Y-20 just had it's first flight last year?? if that is the case we won't see the Y-20 in service anytime soon so they will have to do with those precious 30 IL-76's.