Two were entered PLAAF service recently, they are 11051 and 11052
China's Y-20 to be put into military use in 2016, experts say
China's Y-20 to be put into military use in 2016, experts say
Source: People's Daily OnlineEditor: Yao Jianing
2016-03-01 09:180
China's
own domestically built military cargo jet, Y-20, will likely be put
into service in the army this year, a military expert said in an
interview with People's Daily Online.
According to Xu Yongling, a
military expert, the test flight period for large aircraft is generally
between three and five years. Since there have been no bottlenecks
during development or manufacturing, the Y-20 will be put into use this
year.
The first flight of the Y-20 took place in 2013, making
China the fourth country in the world, following the U.S., Russia and
Ukraine, to develop a 200-ton military cargo jet.
"This is not
only progress for China's national defense industry, but also a
milestone of industrial and military modernization," Xu said.
The
official code name of the aircraft is Kunpeng, after the mythical bird
of ancient China that can fly for thousands of kilometers. However,
within the Chinese aviation industry, the aircraft is more commonly
known by its nickname, Chubby Girl, named by military fans for its
relatively wide fuselage.
Military expert Chen Hong said in an
interview with People's Daily Online that the carrying capacity of the
Y-20, around 60 tons, is higher than that of Russia’s Ilyushin Il-76, a
multi-purpose four-engine turbofan strategic airlifter. The Y-20's
engine, aerodynamic arrangement and combat performance are all better
than those of the Russian aircraft.
The cargo jet can be used to
refit significant special operations platforms, as it has a long flying
period and flying distance. The Y-20 is also a good choice for maritime
detection and early warning, according to Chen.
As for future
military developments, airborne transportation depends not only on the
Y-20, but also on other military cargo jets, which China may develop in
the next five to ten years, according to Xu.
Boring logistics picture of the day: Y-20 Strategic Airlifter "expect to deliver to the PLA soon"
Together with the J-20, the Y-20 program is also moving forward with more prototypes and "
expect to deliver to the PLA soon"
Picture of the fifth Y-20 Strategic Airlifter prototype 785. It rolled out of Xi'an Aircraft Company last September.
Must...have...more Y-20 Strategic Airlifters
PLA 'needs to boost its readiness'
Source: China DailyEditor: Ouyang
2016-01-04 10:030
Large transporter planes, satellites are called for to play a bigger role
The
People's Liberation Army will need to make significant changes
following a historic reshuffle of its branches, according to experts.
They
were speaking after President Xi Jinping announced on Thursday the
establishment of the PLA Army Headquarters, the PLA Rocket Force and the
PLA Strategic Support Force.
The experts said the PLA will need
to set up inter-services platforms and more universal hardware to
improve its combat readiness.
Wang Ya'nan, deputy editor-in-chief
of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, said, "President Xi has repeatedly
stressed the importance of information and joint operation capabilities,
which I believe are pillars to winning modern warfare.
"So, the PLA should give priority to developing an inter-services command and logistics system."
He
said the PLA Army, Navy, Air Force and Rocket Force, which was
established on Thursday to replace the Second Artillery Corps and manage
strategic missiles, currently have their own platforms to handle
information, maneuver units and arrange logistics.
Wang said
these separate platforms should be integrated to allow a smoother
command chain. He also suggested that a universal early-warning and
control system and long-range transporter aircraft are needed for all
services, rather than just the air force.
Wang said large planes
like the Y-20, which made its maiden flight in January 2013, and which
developers expect to deliver to the PLA soon, will make troop deployment
easier, enabling the military to act more promptly and to better
respond to emergencies.
He said the army, the PLA's largest
branch, should develop a next-generation main battle tank, which he
proposed should be highly automated and have better information
capability than the current Type-99A tank.
Cao Weidong, a
researcher at the PLA Naval Military Studies Research Institute, said
that for the army, air force, navy and missile forces to act in concert
with each other, more military satellites will be needed as they will
play an increasingly important role in obtaining information and
transmitting directives among different fighting units.
"The air
force and navy will need more equipment that can perform or support
long-range operations. For instance, the navy will need amphibious
assault ships, large supply vessels and advanced guided missile
destroyers, while the air force will pursue long-range refueling
aircraft," he said.
Wu Peixin, a military observer in Beijing,
said the PLA should develop new individual smart weapons and portable
logistics devices, which will strengthen each soldier's combat
capability.
