Y-20 aircraft are an important part of the Chinese military's airlift capacity. These huge cargo planes have many uses. They can transport humanitarian relief supplies, rescue foreign nationals (non-combatant evacuate), and deliver elite paratroopers far from battlefields.
China's Aviation Industry Corporation of China developed the Y-20 to meet China's heavy-lift needs and strategic delivery capabilities. It combines features of the Y-8, Il-76 and the U.S. C-17A, and has a high-performance, high-speed flight envelope, large cargo capacity and low cost.
This Chinese heavy-lift military transport was first unveiled in 2012, with the first prototype being shown in 2013. Its wing is based on the Y-8/Il-76 aircraft. The fuselage is enlarged and deepened to increase the aircraft's carrying capacity. It is a powerful and reliable airlifter thanks to its supercritical wings and integrated avionics and high-reliability control system.
It can fly long distances, carry heavy loads, and has high cruising altitude. This makes it ideal for large-scale strategic deliveries. Previously, the PLA Air Force relied on Il-76 and An-124 aircraft for strategic deliveries, but now it has its own airlift platform with the Y-20.
Its most important capability is aerial refueling. China's state-owned media reports that it can do this to support longer-range flight by its fighters, bombers, and also transport personnel and equipment. In November, a Y-20 aircraft took part in an aerial refueling mission near Taiwan. This represents a major step in PLAAF's efforts for expanding its combat operations beyond the "First Island Chain", which runs through Japan, Taiwan, and China.
Although the Y-20 doesn't have the same aerial refueling capabilities as Western aircrafts, it employs so-called "soft gaz line technology" that can transmit fuel over distances exceeding five miles at a rate four,540 liters/second. The crew of the Y-20 will be able to follow the process through tanking with video cameras similar to Russian tankers, such as the Il-78 Midas.
The Y-20 will be able to refuel three aircraft at a stretch, which may increase to six or seven. It will also be able to deliver more than four tons of fuel, which is about twice the amount of fuel it can currently take on board.
The aircraft can perform standard cargo transport missions, in addition to its ability to refuel. Its low cost, speed, and high cruising altitude make this an excellent choice for international long-distance cargo flights.
It is the largest cargo aircraft in the world with a length of 45 meters and an area of 330 m2. It can carry upto 7,700 kilograms of cargo and up to 20 passengers.
The Y-20 is a result of collaboration between a number aerospace companies. A series of advanced technologies drove the development of the aircraft. These technologies include aerodynamics as well as large-scale structural designs, supercritical wings, integrated avionics systems, and high-reliability controllers. 3D printing technology also helps to produce parts that aren't normally made by traditional methods, which speeds up production and cuts manufacturing costs.