China Y-20U aerial refuel tanker aircraft, new photo from factor

A new satellite photo surfaced showing Chinese Air Force Y-20U aerial refuel aircraft. It clearly shows two refueling pods below wings. And possibly four Chinese WS-20 turbofans. In 2021, a video was published showing a Y-20U with refueling pods taxiing on runway. Y-20U is based on Chinese Y-20 transport aircraft, with refueling systems added to the plane. The Y-20U in the video receives low-visibility PLA Air Force markings, a signal regarding combat readiness. And a video likely shot at the same location shows these 3 aircrafts flew low over urban area. Y-20U has performed flight over crossing Taiwan Air Defense Identification Zone late 2021. It can booster capability of military aircrafts, increasing the range well beyond the first island chain. Domestically developed WS-20 turbofans have been tested onboard Y-20, as indicated in a few photos. Chinese aerial refueling started with H-6U project, a tanker based on H-6/Tu-16 medium range bomber. In 2007 Chinese designed RDC-1 aerial refueling pod was on exhibition. H-6U partnered with modified J-8F and J-8H fighters, to achieve first operational refueling capability. Soon more advanced fighters participate in the practice, including Su-27/30, J-10 and J-11 fighters. A major disadvantage of H-6U is low fuel carrying capacity, rendering it more a training aircraft. As a much larger plane, Y-20U can refuel multiple aircrafts and achieve meaningful tactical goals. This clip shows H-6U extra fuel tank in bomb bay. That restricts fuel carrying capability of H-6U. Rumor has it that it can only refuel less than 6 J-8F or J-8H.It is expected Y-20U can reach 3 times fuel capacity of HY-6, making it highly practical in air combat. As a transport aircraft, Y-20U can switch between various types of missions, similar to U.S. KC-135. It can also work with Chinese Navy aircrafts, such as carrier borne J-15 fighter and KJ-600 AWACS. J-35 and J-20 fighter have probe-and-drogue system, with possible flying-boom system in development. In future Chinese C929 airliner might become a tanker, with much better fuel economy comparing Y-20U. CR929 is expected to be in the same class as Boeing 787 Dreamliner, much bigger than Chinese C919 airliner. Similar to U.S. KC-135 and KC-46, a platform of commercial airliner provides lower cost and better range. A major challenge is CR929 rely on western turbofans. Y-20U can use D30 or WS20 engines without restriction. Y-20U is the first major variant of Y-20 family. More variants are expected to come in 2020s and beyond. Other than transport and refueling, Y-20 family could include AWACS, ECW and special operation variants. And of course Y-20 is going to play an important role if war breaks out between China and another party. Y-20 is now a key platform for Chinese paratroopers, likely to storm enemy heartland when war breaks out. It can also airdrop ZBD-03 paratrooper fighting vehicle, and transport 99A main battle tank. With Y-20U providing refueling support, one Y-20 can drop over 100 soldiers beyond second island chains. Y-20U enables Y-20 and other transport aircraft to take off with minimal fuel, extending its combat cargo load. Recent satellite photos reveal more Y-20s are built in Xi'an Aviation Corporation, some would be Y-20Us. Photo and video: Wiki common, Weibo Hangkongexia, Wechat Renminshipin, Weibo Yangshiguoji

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• 重點是WS20 -奔流12959- ♂ (0 bytes) () 01/17/2022 postreply 10:45:01