Xi'an Y-20

The Xi'an Y-20 Kunpeng () is a large military transport aircraft that was developed by the Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation for the People's Republic of China (PRC).

While the official series name of the aircraft is '' Kunpeng'', a mythical giant fish-bird from the Taoist classic '' Zhuangzi'', it is nicknamed "Chubby Girl" () in the Chinese aviation industry because its fuselage is much wider than aircraft previously developed in China.

As of 2013, a single Xi'an Y-20 aircraft cost $160 million. The Y-20 is regarded as a competitor to the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, which had a unit cost of approximately $340 million as of 2022.

Development

The Y-20 project began in July 2007. Images of the Y-20 prototype emerged at the end of 2012. The first flight occurred on 26 January 2013.

According to Chinese media, the Y-20 is the first cargo aircraft to use 3D printing technology. To speed up the development, reduce the workload, and lower its manufacturing cost, Model-based definition (MBD) design technique was also implemented, and it was the third aircraft to utilize MBD technology in the world, after Airbus A380 (2000) and Boeing 787 (2005). A project team to implement MBD for the Y-20 program was formally formed in October 2009, and after the initial success in application on the main landing gear, MBD application was expanded to the entire aircraft and became mandatory for all contractors and sub-contractors of the Y-20 program.

The implementation of MBD was initially met with strong resistance, with only a third of suppliers agreeing to implement MBD. However, the general designer of Y-20 declared that those who refused to implement MBD would be banned from participating in the Y-20 program, thus forcing everyone to comply, resulting in increases in productivity.

The implementation of MBD greatly shortened the time required. For example, without MBD, installation of wings takes a month or two, but with MBD adopted, the time is drastically shortened to just a few hours, and in general, the design work was reduced by 40%, preparation for production was reduced by 75%, and manufacturing cycle reduced by 30%. The structural test was completed in 194 days as opposed to the 300 days originally planned, thanks to the successful development and application of an automated structural strength analysis system. In comparison, similar work for the Xi'an JH-7 took a year.

In addition to 3D printing, the Y-20 is also the first aircraft in China to adopt a Relational-Data-Base-Management (RDBM) system for its development. Headed by the deputy general designer of structural design, Mr. Feng Jun (冯军), the initial attempt to implement RDBM actually failed after two months spent on the application on the nose section. It was only after the second attempt, which took another three months on the application on wings did RDBM became successful. The adaptation of RDBM greatly shortened the development time by at least eight months, and the modification of wing design that previously took a week is shortened to half a day. The development of human-machine interface for the Y-20 utilized virtual reality via helmet-mounted display

The airlifter was developed into the YY-20 tanker variant to expand the PLAAF's aerial refueling capability beyond its existing limited and obsolescent Xi'an H-6U fleet. Evidence of the tanker variant emerged in 2018 with satellite images; its first flight occurred that year. Aerial refueling was being performed by the airforce by 2021 and refueling planes formally entered PLAAF service in 2022.

In 2020, the Y-20 was observed undergoing in-flight testing with four Shenyang WS-20 high-bypass engines. According to news reports, the variant of the Y-20 powered by new WS-20 engines had entered operational service with the People's Liberation Army Air Force by April 2023 at the latest. In November 2023, the Y-20B tanker variant was spotted with WS-20 engines, designated YY-20B.

Design

Characteristics

The Y-20 uses components made of composite materials. Eight types of different relays used on Y-20 are developed by Guilin Aerospace Co., Ltd. a wholly own subsidiary o
China Tri-River Aerospace Group Co., Ltd.(中国三江航天集团)
which is also known as the 9th Academy of the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC). The composites were produced in China, whereas in the past they had to be imported. The Y-20's cabin incorporates flame-retardant composites developed by the 703 Institute of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). The 703 Institute was created in March 2009, with development taking three years. The performance of the composites is reportedly comparable to those that fulfil FAR Part 25.835. The 703 Institute achieved another milestone by establishing a comprehensive Chinese evaluation and certification system for aircraft composite materials based on international standards.

Cargo is loaded through a large aft ramp that accommodates rolling stock. The Y-20 incorporates a shoulder wing, T-tail, rear cargo-loading assembly, and heavy-duty retractable landing gear, consisting of three rows, with a pair of wheels for each row, totaling six wheels for each side. According to the deputy general designer, the shortest take-off distance of the Y-20 is . Y-20 incorporates a total of four large LCD EFIS displays.

Propulsion

The Y-20 prototypes were powered by four 12-ton thrust Soloviev D-30KP-2 engines, and the aircraft entered production in 2016 with those engines. However, there had always been plans to develop Chinese alternatives.

Testing with the Chengdu WS-18 engine (Chinese reverse engineered copy of imported D-30KP-2) may have occurred by late 2017. Compared to the D-30, the WS-18 was 300 kg lighter, weighing in at 2000 kg; with thrust increased from 12.5 per ton of the D-30 to 13.2 per ton; fuel consumption of the WS-18 was also reduced in comparison to the D-30, and the mean time between overhaul of the WS-18 was 3000 hours. However, because the increase in thrust was not significant in comparison to the D-30, the WS-18 was only likely to be a stopgap measure before the more modern Shenyang WS-20 was ready.

The Chinese had also always intended to replace the Soloviev D-30KP-2 with the 14-ton thrust Shenyang WS-20, which was required for the Y-20 to achieve its maximum cargo capacity of 66 tons. The WS-20 was derived from the core of the Shenyang WS-10, an indigenous Chinese turbofan engine for fighter aircraft. Single-engine testing with the WS-20 may have occurred by February 2019. Four-engine in-flight testing may have occurred by December 2020. The engine was still in development in late-2021.

In March 2023, Y-20 planes equipped with Shenyang WS-20 engines (designated Y-20B) were likely incorporated into the PLAAF service. In the same month, the executive of Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC) announced the that China " adovercome all technical bottlenecks" regarding engines such as the WS-20.

Transport capacity

The Y-20's four-meter tall hold can lift up to 66 tons, and transport up to 2 Type 15 tanks or 1 Type 99A tank over a distance of 7800 km.

The aircraft provides various internal configurations, in which one of which allows for a separate passenger deck above the cargo. Rails are mounted on the ceiling to facilitate offloading in areas where the rear ramp is inaccessible.

Operational history

Production

In 2014, a report from the People's Liberation Army's National Defence University stated that the PRC's civil and military transport needed 400 Y-20s. In 2016, Zhu Qian of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China stated that more than a thousand were needed.

After incorporating the Y-20 into the PLAAF service, analysts noted Y-20 had an extremely quick production rate, with a large amount of production aircraft spotted inside the PLAAF testing base. By 2023, PLAAF was equipped with 67 Y-20 aircraft.

According to a 2023 assessment by ''Aviation Week'', the Y-20 was scheduled to replace Russian airframes, including the Ilyushin Il-76 and H-6U tanker variants. Analyst Matt Jouppi suggested airborne early warning and control was likely under development and that by 2032 China would likely have 75 YY-20 tankers and more than 100 Y-20 transport planes.

Deployment

On 6 July 2016 the first serial Y-20 (serial number 11051) was handed over to the PLAAF in a ceremony. The second aircraft numbered 11052 followed soon after - it was assigned to the 12th Regiment of the 4th Transport Division at Qionglai, Chengdu.

On 8 May 2018, it was announced by PLAAF's military media that Y-20 had recently conducted its first joint airdrop training operations with the PLAAF airborne troops.

On 13 February 2020, the Y-20 was part of a fleet that delivered supplies and personnel to Wuhan. The operation was part of an effort to mitigate what became the COVID-19 pandemic. A fleet of 11 aircraft delivered 2,600 military medical staff to Wuhan. The PLAAF fleet of 11 aircraft consists of 6 Y-20s, 3 Il-76s, and 2 Y-9s transport aircraft. This is Y-20's first civilian mission, signaling the increasing military involvement in pandemic response.

On 5 June 2021, PLAAF transport aircraft fleet, including Y-20, was observed patrolling the South China Sea, which was accused of intrusion by Malaysia. Japanese Air Self-Defense Force analyst Aita Moriki believed the Chinese action was to display airborne corp's power projection capabilities.

On 28 November 2021, Y-20U aerial tanker was spotted around the southwest side of the Taiwan island among 27 military aircraft. This is the first observation of Y-20U outside inland China.

On 27 January 2022, two Y-20 aircraft arrived in Tonga after traveling over 10,000 kilometers from Guangzhou Baiyun, delivering 33 tons of supplies including food, fresh water, water purifiers, and tents due to the 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha'apai eruption and tsunami.

On 9 April 2022, six Y-20 aircraft landed at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport in Serbia, reportedly delivering a shipment of FK-3 surface-to-air missile systems.

On 28 June 2022, six Y-20 arrived in Afghanistan to deliver 105 tonnes of humanitarian aid in response to June 2022 Afghanistan earthquake.

On 1 August 2022, Senior Colonel and PLAAF spokesperson, Shen Jinke, told a press conference that Y-20 tanker aircraft started combat readiness training. The aircraft is confirmed in PLAAF service with the confirmed designation YY-20. The designation was later confirmed as YY-20 at Zhuhai Airshow 2022. The YY-20 features redesigned landing gear sponsons with sharper front and back ends, which reduces air turbulence. In September 2022, Chinese released footage of Y-20 tankers providing aerial refueling to Chengdu J-20 fighters.

In early September 2022, Y-20 was present at the Airpower 22 airshow in Austria. This was the first time that the Y-20 was present at an airshow in Western Europe.

Variants

;Y-20A
:Base variant, with Soloviev D-30KP-2/ Chengdu WS-18 engines.
;Y-20B
:Variant with four Shenyang WS-20 engines.
;YY-20A
: Aerial tanker variant based on Y-20A. It's capable of carrying about 90 tons of fuel, similar to the role of Il-78. The tanker variant features redesigned landing gear sponsons. Previously known as Y-20U or YU-20, but was confirmed as YY-20.
;YY-20B
:Aerial tanker variant based on Y-20B. Entered service around December 2024.
;Y-20 AEW (KJ-3000)
:Airborne early warning and control variant based on Y-20, designated as KJ-3000 by military observers. AEW&C variant was spotted flight testing on 27 December 2024, with a Y-20B airframe.

Controversy

On 13 July 2016, Chinese national Su Bin pleaded guilty and admitted to charges that he conspired with others to hack into U.S. defense contractor Boeing and steal documents related to the development of the C-17, F-22 and F-35 aircraft. Once the information was stolen, he admitted to analyzing and translating documents from English to Chinese, which he then emailed to the Second Department of the People's Liberation Army General Staff Department. Su Bin admitted he did so for financial gain, and sought to profit from the data that was stolen. In addition to financial gain, court documents revealed, in emails to the Second Department of the PLA, Su Bin noted the information, "...has extremely vital significance in our country's speeding up the development," of Project A, revealed to be China's program to develop the Xi'an Y-20. Su Bin was sentenced to 3 years and 10 months in Federal prison. He was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. With time served, he was released in October 2017.

Operators

*
** People's Liberation Army Air Force - 55 Y-20 transport, 17 YY-20A tanker in service as of 2025
*** One regiment in the 4th Transport DivisionInternational Institute for Strategic Studies: The Military Balance 2022, p.263
*** One regiment in the 13th Transport Division

Specifications (Y-20B)

See also

References

Citations

Bibliography

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{{Chinese Military Aircraft, state=collapsed

Aircraft first flown in 2013
2010s Chinese military transport aircraft
High-wing aircraft
Quadjets
T-tail aircraft
Y-20
Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear