The Chinese military's airlift capabilities are dominated by Y-20 planes. These massive cargo planes have a wide range of uses, including transporting supplies for humanitarian relief, rescuing nationals overseas in tight spots (non-combatant evacuation), delivering elite paratroopers to far-flung battlefields and more.
China's Aviation Industry Corporation of China created the Y-20 in order to address China’s needs for heavy-lift capabilities and strategic deliveries. It combines the features of the Y-8/Il-76/U.S. C-17A. The Y-20 has a high-performance and high-speed flight envelope, large cargo capability, and low cost.
The Chinese heavy-lift military vehicle was first revealed in 2012. Its first prototype was displayed in 2013. Its wing was designed on the basis of the Il-76 and Y-8 planes. To increase the aircraft’s carrying capacity, the fuselage was enlarged and deeperened. Its supercritical wings with integrated avionics systems, high-reliability controller systems, and integrated avionics make it a reliable airlifter.
It can fly long distances, carry heavy loads, and has high cruising altitude. This makes it ideal for large-scale strategic deliveries. Previously, PLA Air Force relied heavily on Il-76/An-124 aircraft for strategic delivery, but now it has its very own airlift platform with Y-20.
One of its most significant capabilities is aerial fueling. China's state media states that this capability can be used to support longer-range fighter and bomber flights, as well as to transport personnel and their equipment. A Y-20 aircraft participated in an aerial refueling mission close to Taiwan in November. This is a significant step in the PLAAF’s efforts to expand its combat operations outside the 'First Island Chain', which runs through Japan.
While the Y-20 does not quite match up to Western aircraft in its aerial refueling capabilities, it is said to employ so-called "soft gas line technology" that is able to transmit fuel over distances of up to five miles at a rate of four,540 liters per 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 capable of refueling three aircraft at a time, a number that may rise to six or seven in the future. 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.
It is capable of carrying out standard cargo transport missions. Its speed, low cost and high cruising altitude make it an ideal choice to transport cargo internationally long distances.
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 7,000 kilograms of cargo, and can seat up to 20 people.
The Y-20 was developed by a variety of aerospace companies. It is the result of a collaboration. Those technologies include aerodynamics, large-scale structural design, supercritical wing, integrated avionics systems and high-reliability controls. 3D printing technology also helps to produce parts that aren't normally made by traditional methods, which speeds up production and cuts manufacturing costs.