Xian Y-20

Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation · People's Republic of China · first flew 2013 · transport aircraft

The Xian Y-20 Kunpeng is China's indigenous heavy strategic airlifter, broadly comparable to the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III in role and capability. It represents a major milestone in China's military aviation self-sufficiency.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, swept
E — Engines	4 × turbofan, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	47 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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China's largest military strategic transport
Four turbofans under high swept wing
T-tail excluded — conventional tail on Y-20

A large four-engine high-wing jet transport with a conventional tail; the drooped nose, wide fuselage, and four under-wing podded turbofans distinguish it from smaller Chinese transports.

Specifications

The Xian Y-20 has a length of 47 m (154 ft).
It has a wingspan of 45 m (148 ft).
Typical crew: 3.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Development began in the 2000s as part of China's effort to reduce dependence on Russian transport aircraft. The Y-20 made its first flight on 26 January 2013 and entered service with the People's Liberation Army Air Force in 2016. Early aircraft used Russian Soloviev D-30KP-2 turbofans pending development of the indigenous WS-20 engine.

Variants

The initial production variant uses Russian D-30KP-2 engines; a future WS-20-powered variant with improved performance is under development.

Where you'll see it

In active service with the PLAAF as its primary heavy airlifter, the Y-20 has participated in humanitarian operations and long-range deployments, significantly enhancing China's strategic airlift capability.

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