Chances are, the AWACS would be equipped on a Y-20B ( with WS-20).
Ofcourse, no particularly specific reason going by available information but what if WS-20 provides better electrical power than the D-30KP/WS-18 ?
China's transport, tanker & heavy lift aircraft
- Thread starter Totoro
- Start date
Ofcourse, no particularly specific reason going by available information but what if WS-20 provides better electrical power than the D-30KP/WS-18 ?
Better endurance, maybe.
TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
Once again I wonder what the point would be of a Y20 AWACS?
I mean okay once upon a time the PLAAF tried to build IL76 based AEWs first with the Israelis then when that derailed with the KJ2000 on their own.
Okay fine. Then they developed the KJ200 on Y8 and finally the KJ500 on more modern versions of the Y8/Y9.
So if they can fit the radar system on a Y9 do they need it in a Y20?
The only justification would be if they either combined roles so other than an Awacs it’s actually a total theater level command and control systems. Which seems to be what the Russians are looking at for A100LL. Otherwise the only other way to justify would be a clean sheet radar system that would be of such a size and weight as to demand the 4 engine. Which would be over the top because Y20 is no small bird.
I mean okay once upon a time the PLAAF tried to build IL76 based AEWs first with the Israelis then when that derailed with the KJ2000 on their own.
Okay fine. Then they developed the KJ200 on Y8 and finally the KJ500 on more modern versions of the Y8/Y9.
So if they can fit the radar system on a Y9 do they need it in a Y20?
The only justification would be if they either combined roles so other than an Awacs it’s actually a total theater level command and control systems. Which seems to be what the Russians are looking at for A100LL. Otherwise the only other way to justify would be a clean sheet radar system that would be of such a size and weight as to demand the 4 engine. Which would be over the top because Y20 is no small bird.
I’ve been thinking this for ages (be nice):
Re-winged Y-9, modified (extended etc.) fuselage and 2 x WS-20 (1 under each wing) … and call it day?
At some point much farther in the future, they can look at C919 and CR929…
With the same radar, you can add more fuel and command facilities to a Y-20 for greater endurance and versatility.
With a larger radar, you can have equal endurance.
The greater capability of a larger airframe like Y-20 as AEWC for larger radar, or more command, or more fuel, is all there, yes.
The question is whether that greater capability is actually worth the development, testing and procurement of a Y-20 based AEWC, versus whether the KJ-500 solution is already sufficient for now, especially given the increasing trend of moving towards more distributed, more dynamic and more survivable AEW solutions into the future.
If KJ-500 is already a sufficiently capable AEWC platform, it may be more sensible to just continue buying them, and put money to develop and procure a more future proof and survivable AEWC solution instead.
Personally I am not sure what the specific correct answer is at this time.
What you are describing is basically a whole new aircraft.
Pretty sure the same forces/ reasons that compelled Russia to create A-50 and China to even pursue KJ2000 is at play here. Why is Russia developing A100? Maybe that's the point where one may start.
And a cursory internet search offered simple answers : Russia didn't have a reliable civilian airliner platform for conversion back when it wanted to give a reply to E3 development. When it considered the options available, the il 76 was an easy pick.
Russia could've picked the il96 for A100 but look at the production numbers - it'd be good to have 1 produced every year. The il76, along with the many variants is nearing the thousand figure. China is picking the Y20 for the same reasons. And we would, if we are to believe the above, come to the realization that KJ3000 might be the last of AWACS based on a mil transport platform. If China gets civilian transport success China would make the shift to that.
Covergirl
Perhaps a future Y20 will be better able to defend itself, either with lasers or anti-sam’s.
Ilyushin Il-62? That is reliable enough and the direct Soviet equivalent to the commercial Boeing 707 that formed the basis of E3, and would seem from range and endurance perspective a better choice than Il-76?
the key might be there is a high commonality between Boeing 707 and the huge number of its military derivative the KC-135 already in USAF inventory. Il-62 is a rare type in the Soviet airforce, where as Il-76 is also already in Soviet airforce service in large numbers.