Indigenous Engines For Y-20 Proceeding Well: Aircraft Designer | News

• Skip to main content
• Skip to navigation

Defence Indigenous engines for Y-20 proceeding well: aircraft designer

By Greg Waldron2021-09-30T07:19:00+01:00

The development of new engines for the Xian Y-20 strategic transport is going well, according to the aircraft’s designer.

In addition, “two types” of domestic engines are in development for the aircraft, China’s state-owned Global Times reports chief designer Tang Changhong as saying.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

The Y-20 made its public debut at Airshow China in October 2016, and appeared in the show’s flying display. The type is powered by Russian engines

“The Y-20 now has Chinese hearts,” says Tang, who reportedly made the remarks at the Airshow China event in Zhuhai.

He adds that the new engines have undergone flight tests, which have progressed smoothly.

The Y-20A in service with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force is powered by four Soloviev D-30KP-2s, the same powerplant as the Ilyushin Il-76, which China also operates.

The indigenous Shenyang WS-20 high-bypass turbofan is in development, and will eventually power a variant tentatively designated Y-20B.

As for Tang’s contention that “two types” of engine are being developed for the aircraft, he could be suggesting different variants of the WS-20.

At the 2016 iteration of Airshow China, AVIC displayed a model of a prospective commercial variant of the Y-20, the Y-20F-100. While the Y-20F-100’s engines were clearly larger than on the baseline Y-20, company officials declined to comment about them. The Y-20F-100 was not promoted at the 2018 show.

Source: Greg Waldron/FlightGlobal

AVIC displayed a model of a prospective commercial variant of the Y-20, the Y20F-100, at Airshow China in 2016. The model featured high-bypass engines that AVIC officials declined to discuss

Still, Tang’s reference to “two types” of engine might be related to military and civilian versions, although signs are that AVIC has abandoned the Y-20F-100 concept.

An additional variant of the WS-20 could also be used to power variants of the Y-20, such as the Y-20U tanker, which is in testing, and the planned KJ-3000 airborne early warning and control aircraft, which is based on the Y-20.

Periodically, images purporting to show the Y-20 with the WS-20 have emerged on Chinese social media, but it is hard to assess the whether they are genuine or doctored.

In addition to reducing the Y-20’s reliance on Russian suppliers, the new engine is expected to improve the aircraft’s range, reduce fuel consumption, and boost payload.

Topics

• Asia Pacific
• Defence

Related articles

• Analysis

  Y-20U tanker set to boost Beijing’s air-to-air refuelling capability

  2022-01-06T07:00:00Z By Greg Waldron

  Beijing is gradually developing a modern air-to-air tanker capability, as it seeks to support advanced combat types at extended ranges.

• News

  Two-seat J-20 fighter breaks cover in Chengdu

  2021-10-28T02:57:00Z By Greg Waldron

  China has become the first country in the world to develop a two-seat stealth fighter, with the emergence of a Chengdu J-20 with a back seat.

• Analysis

  Zhuhai shows Chinese commercial market prowess, but uneasy realities remain

  2021-10-01T07:06:00Z By Alfred Chua

  Airshow China 2021 — the first major air show to be held in China since the coronavirus pandemic first broke — was less about notching headline orders, but more about showcasing to the world the importance of the Chinese civil aviation market.

Load more articles

More from Defence

• News

  Malta signs deals for extra King Air maritime patrol aircraft and AW139 helicopter

  2026-01-06T14:43:00Z By Craig Hoyle

  The Armed Forces of Malta Air Wing is to expand its fleets of Beechcraft King Air maritime patrol aircraft and Leonardo Helicopters AW139 rotorcraft, via follow-on contracts signed last month.

• Analysis

  How Tekever is driving UAS innovation as AR3 Evo testing accelerates at West Wales Airport site

  2026-01-02T15:00:00Z By Craig Hoyle

  With more than 50,000h of operational experience having been accumulated by its uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) over the battleground in Ukraine, Tekever is certainly no stranger to its equipment being flown in challenging conditions.

• News

  Spain confirms order for 18 Airbus C295 tactical transports

  2025-12-23T11:07:00Z By Dominic Perry

  Spain has ordered 18 Airbus Defence & Space C295 tactical transports as replacements for fleets of CN235 and C212 aircraft operated by the country’s air force.

Load more articles

• Contact us
• About us
• Advertise with us
• Jobs
• Conferences and Events
• Newsletters
• Paid content
• Reports

FlightGlobal is the global aviation community’s primary source of news, data, insight, knowledge and expertise. We provide news, data, analytics and advisory services to connect the aviation community globally and help organisations shape their business strategies, identify new opportunities and make better decisions faster.

• Announcements
• FAQs
• Topics A-Z
• Terms and conditions
• Cookie policy
• Privacy policy
• © DVV Media International Limited

Follow us on social media

• Connect with us on Facebook
• Connect with us on Twitter
• Connect with us on Linked in
• Email us
• Connect with us on Youtube

Site powered by Webvision Cloud