The first Chinese-produced transport airplane, the Y-20, officially entered service this week with the nation’s air force. After several years of development and testing with few details released, the heavy airlifter was touted as a reliable, modern workhorse with a maximum takeoff weight of about 200 tons.“The Y-20 entering into service marks a crucial step for the Air Force improving its strategic power projection capability,” officials told Chinese media at an unveiling ceremony in Chengdu Wednesday. The four-engine aircraft, nicknamed “Chubby Girl,” closely resembles the U.S. Air Force workhorse, the Boeing C-17 Globemaster, but is slightly smaller.
State-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China began developing the Y-20 in 2007 and first flew the prototype in 2013. The transport made its debut the following year at the annual China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition. Four Russian turbofan engines now power the aircraft, which will use Chinese-made engines in the coming years as other variants are developed, according to a recent Popular Mechanics report on the aircraft.
