Xi'an Y-20 Cargo Transport

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xi%27an_Y-20

The Xi'an Y-20 (Chinese: ?-20; pinyin: Yùn-20; literally: "transport-20") is a
large military transport aircraft. The project is being developed by Xi'an
Aircraft Industrial Corporation and was officially launched in 2006. The
official codename of the aircraft is Kunpeng (Chinese: ??), after the mythical
bird that can fly for thousands of miles described in the ancient Chinese Taoist
classic Zhuangzi. However, within the Chinese aviation industry itself, the
aircraft is more commonly known by its nickname Chubby Girl (Chinese: ??),
because its wide fuselage in comparison to other Chinese aircraft previously
developed in China.

The Y-20 is the first cargo aircraft to use 3D printing technology to speed up
its development and to lower its manufacturing cost. Model-based definition
(MBD) is also used, and it's 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 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 will 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
reduced by 40%, preparation for production reduced by 75%, and manufacturing
cycle reduced by 30%.

On 6 February 2016 the Y-20 was flown for the first time and pictures of the
fifth prototype (serial number 788) in flight appeared on Chinese military
webpages. Other known prototypes carry identification numbers 781, 783 and 785.
On 27 January 2016, former Chinese test pilot Xu Yongling had reported in a
Xinhua article that Chinese aviation industry officials had stated that the Y-20
"completed development" at the end of 2015. In June 2016, the first two Xian
Y-20 aircraft were delivered to the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).


Role
Strategic airlifter

National origin
China

Manufacturer
Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation

Designer
Tang Changhong

First flight
26 January 2013

Introduction
6 July 2016

Status
In service, in production

Primary user
PLA Air Force

Produced
2013–present

Number built
~10

In 2014 the PLA National Defence University's Center for Economic Research
recommended the purchase of up to 400 Y-20s, comparing the PLAAF's needs with
the existing airlifter fleets of the United States and Russia. In June 2016
Jane's reported that up to 1,000 Y-20s are being requested by the Chinese
military.

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

On 8 May 2018, it was announced by PLAAF's spokesperson Shen Jinke that Y-20 had
"recently conducted its first joint airdrop training with the country's airborne
troops.

At least two aircraft stationed at Qionglai Air Base since July 2016. Commercial
satellite imagery captured on 9 December 2017 suggests that at least three more
Xian Aircraft Corporation Y-20 Kunpeng transport aircraft have entered service
with China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). In these images there
are a total of 5 Xi'an Y-20's lined up at Qionglai Airbase near Chengdu in
China’s southwestern Sichuan Province.

Specifications (estimated)

General characteristics
Crew: 3: pilot, copilot & load master
Payload: 66 tonnes (145,505 lb)
Length: 47 m (154.2 ft)
Wingspan: 45 m (147 ft ~ 164 ft)
Height: 15 m (49.2 ft)
Wing area: 330 m² (3550 ft²)
Empty weight: 100,000 kg (220,400 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 220,000 kg (485,000 lb)
Powerplant: 4 × turbofans Soloviev D-30KP-2 (WS-20 future planned)

Performance
Cruise speed: Mach 0.75
Range: 4,500 km with max payload; 7,800 km with 40 tons; 10,000+ km with
paratroops.
Service ceiling: 13,000 m (42,700 ft)
Max. wing loading: 710 kg/m² (145 lb/ft²)




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