China’s Y-20 Military Cargo Airlifter To Enter Service In Two Years

The first new-generation heavy military transport aircraft Y-20 is likely to be commissioned by 2016, China Military reported Wednesday.

The aircraft independently developed by China, is expected to debut at the 10th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai city of South China’s Guangdong province in November this year. 

Y-20 has a maximal takeoff weight of 220 tons and the loading capacity of over 66 tons. It is the largest aircraft developed by China so far and is touted as a milestone in China’s military modernization program.

“The Y-20 has a loading capacity that’s equivalent to that of mainstream large transport aircraft in developed countries. Its successful development will give a strong boost to China’s military influence in the world,” Xu Yongling, a military expert, was quoted as saying by the website.

According to Xu Yongling, the Y-20 had its maiden flight less than two years ago, but its technology has basically been finalized and can be demonstrated on public occasions. The first Y-20 is very likely to be commissioned to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) within two years.

The Y-20 recently completed its first test flight between two different fields, indicating a major breakthrough in its limitation and reliability. The aircraft carrying out this test flight is the third prototype plane, while two other prototypes already carried out the test flight verification successively in January and December last year.