China's transport, tanker & heavy lift aircraft

For this aircraft and other subsonic transports: a high by-pass ratio engine. But they wouldn't have started the project if they didn't think that would soon be available.

Engineer said:

Well, if we are talking about aircraft, I would say stealth bomber is the next on the wish list.

Anyway, Y-20 supposedly have two versions. The first version has a cargo ramp and unpressurized. The second version has no cargo ramp and is fully pressurized to serve as a platform for AWACs and ABLs. I wonder what version this prototype is.

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Are the cabins of other transporters like Il-76, A400M and C-17 not fully pressurized? If there are two versions, I expect the cargo version to be the "standard" version used for carrying loads as well as troops, medevac, etc. Can't imagine you'd leave a hundred and something people out there unpressurized.

Although Huitong and others are saying two prototypes have been built... Maybe one is the standard cargo version (hopefully it is fully pressurized, in this day and age) and the other is the sans-ramp "special mission" airframe form which AEWC, tanker will be derived from?

Also I'm surprised why people bring up Y-20 as a candidate for the ABL. The US haven't exactly had much luck with their endeavours, and any Chinese tests will only be aboard a couple of Y-20s.

Here is my hopes for how XAC designed this plane; fully pressurized cabin as per modern specifications, large volume cargo hold (which seems to be present, going by these pictures. Check out pics of Il-76 with D-30s; D-30s on Y-20 look hilariously undersized in comparison). Further, I'd like to they had the foresight to add easy provision for an IFR probe. Best case scenario is they built Y-20 from the ground up with IFR capabilities like A400M, so any Y-20 airframe will be capable of refuelling other planes simply by adding a couple or three drogue pods and a few large tanks of fuel in the cabin area.

Such an ability to switch rapidly between IFR and standard transport for a single aircraft (of which PLAAF will have due of in the foreseeable future) will drastically increase both the strategic transport and heavy refuelling ability of the air force.

Great stuff! As a massive force multiplier strategically it's as important as J-20.


So maiden flight tomorrow or the new year's eve?

I am very eager to see the high-resolution pics which will probably be leaked in the very near future!!!

Skywatcher said:

So what's next on the wishlist now?

A SSTO space plane? Strategic bomber? Hypersonic scramjet engine?

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I'm thinking all the above along with star wars (not the movie) type anti-ballistic missiles orbital weapons, such as high power microwave and lasers.

Skywatcher said:

So what's next on the wishlist now?

A SSTO space plane? Strategic bomber? Hypersonic scramjet engine?

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1. Fully operational, mass produced and superior performance WS-10, WS-15 and WS-13 engines powering J-20s, J-31s, J-10s, J-11s and JF-17s.

2. Also to have around (250) J-20s, (500) J-31s, (700) J-11Bs & (900) J-10Bs, operational in PLAAF's service by 2022.

3. Fully integrated Laser Air-Defence Systems, operational in PLA/PLAAF & PLAN/AF by 2022.

4. An established fleet of around 200-300 Y-20s and its smaller brother Y-21s(?), by 2025.

How long do we have to wait before it goes into full production?

Bltizo said:

Are the cabins of other transporters like Il-76, A400M and C-17 not fully pressurized? If there are two versions, I expect the cargo version to be the "standard" version used for carrying loads as well as troops, medevac, etc. Can't imagine you'd leave a hundred and something people out there unpressurized.

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C-17 and C-130 are both pressurized aircraft. Pressurization is essential for high altitude flying (especially if you are flying above mountains); otherwise, everyone will be forced to don oxygen masks, and that will heavily restrict movement and situational awareness inside the cabin.

Skywatcher said:

So what's next on the wishlist now?

A SSTO space plane? Strategic bomber? Hypersonic scramjet engine?

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... the next J-20 prototype ... with engine nozzles similar to F-22's may be
... how about J-31 with tail hook ...

* my fingers are crossed *

Pointblank said:

C-17 and C-130 are both pressurized aircraft. Pressurization is essential for high altitude flying (especially if you are flying above mountains); otherwise, everyone will be forced to don oxygen masks, and that will heavily restrict movement and situational awareness inside the cabin.

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I thought so. So if the standard cargo version of Y-20 is not pressurized it will make no sense.