A major portion of the build would most probably go to increasing the current tanker fleet and eventualy replacing the H6’s as more of the Y20 tanker is made available.
China's transport, tanker & heavy lift aircraft
- Thread starter Totoro
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asif iqbal
Lieutenant General
If it goes to 16 in 2018 that would be astronomical!! Wow
TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
Like I said the C17 production like cranked out 16 C17 for about 8 years. The question of that rate is how long they sustain it. Simple multiplication. 16 units a year x10 years and 160 units. Which is a fairly competent number of units. To match the US C17 fleet it's about 14 years of Y20 production. Bring it to 18 and 288 units of which 60+ could be used for Tankers and AEW. They could even export to potential customers, I am sure a number of Air Forces in the Middle East, Africa even one of the Latin American countries and Asian sphere like Pakistan would love a couple of Y20 Export versions.
I've read a few months ago that they'll produce AN-124s under license, not just the 2nd AN-225, so there'll be no need for that many pure cargo Y-20s. The tanker version can be made with rear cargo ramp & be convertible to dry cargo if needed, like the new Russian IL-478. Also, the stretched civilian Y-20 derivative can be pressed to service, if need be.
TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
To date there has been no real confirmation on Chinese AN 124s. Really though if the PLAAF does pick up 2 AN224 and have full production of Y20 that could handle all of any need for oversized loads and leave no real need for AN124.
I mean a C17 class lifter is not that much smaller and can do 90% of the Jobs a C5 or An124 can do, 95% that an AN225 can. I mean the PLAAF need tankers and AEW birds but they also need transports. Why spend more money for the An124 when the bases are covered.
I mean a C17 class lifter is not that much smaller and can do 90% of the Jobs a C5 or An124 can do, 95% that an AN225 can. I mean the PLAAF need tankers and AEW birds but they also need transports. Why spend more money for the An124 when the bases are covered.
asif iqbal
Lieutenant General
I can definitely see a few hundred on order
There is a massive demand for this in china
The rate might not stay at 16 could go higher
There is a massive demand for this in china
The rate might not stay at 16 could go higher
1 AN-124 can lift 2x as 2 Y-20, and has longer range. If they produce both types simultaneously, less Y-20s would be needed.
Regardless, they do need about a dozen AN-124s as more overseas bases being established will need better logistical support.
Regardless, they do need about a dozen AN-124s as more overseas bases being established will need better logistical support.
TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
The numbers have been thrown around some claim as high as a thousand which is pretty ludicrous. It would take 62 years at 16 units a year. And 16 units a year is a pretty good rate of production for a aircraft that size. 400 was listed by another blog which makes a lot of sense to me. 200 transports 125 tankers 25-50 AEW/Other and The rest for possible export.
Some fanboish source :=) how u want know the number with China !
It is much more difficult you can imagine modified a cargo in tanker
Even using a airliner it is difficult pressure issue for fuel flow very complicated for détails don't interest me i don't build LOL
Airbus do great job with A-330MRTT it is certain less for A-400M
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Quickie
Colonel
Some fanboish source :=) how u want know the number with China !
It is much more difficult you can imagine modified a cargo in tanker
Even using a airliner it is difficult pressure issue for fuel flow very complicated for détails don't interest me i don't build LOL
Airbus do great job with A-330MRTT it is certain less for A-400M
Remember the IL-78 is based on the transport IL-76. A transport aircraft has stability going for it against a civilian airliner in the question of suitability for conversion to air tanker. An airliner has its own advantage too like maybe less turbulence in its wake. So both are possible but I think it's a safer bet for the Y-20 to be converted than let's say the C-919.