Chinese Air Force celebrates Y-20 transport aircraft first flight 9-year anniversary on 26th Jan 2022, and a Tonga rescue mission is planned at the end of January to send fresh water and other rescue supplies by a few Y-20 aircrafts.
On 26 Jan 2013, the Y-20 successfully made its maiden flight, filling the gap in Chinese developed large transport aircraft.
On July 6, 2016, Y-20 was officially commissioned. Over the past nine years, the Y-20 has performed multiple international missions.
Y-20 is also a key player in Chinese effort to provide assistance to other countries fighting the pandemic starting from 2020.
The latest technical breakthrough of Y-20 is WS-20 turbofan engines being integrated, replacing Russian D30 turbofans.
It is believed the "China Heart" gives Y-20 improved range and better takeoff weight. in
A Y-20U aerial refueling aircraft went in service in 2021, flew close to Taiwan island.
In 2021, the logistics Department of China's Central Military Commission (CMC) organized Y-20 supply missions to ...
... with various organizations' assistance. The mission demonstrated Y-20's high altitude capability.
The shipment was carried by three Y-20s directly to Karakoram and other Qinghai-Tibet Plateau military bases.
It is the first time Chinese domestically developed jet successively delivering supplies to high altitude area. It indicates Chinese military are improving logistics in the area.
Taiwan media reported on Nov 2021 that PLA military aircraft have been continuously patrolling nearby airspace.
And Y-20 appeared in the airspace for the first time in Nov 2021, joined with J-16D electronic warfare fighter jets.
In Aug 2021, Chinese Air Force sent 11 military aircrafts, including H-6K bombers, J-10B fighters, J-16 fighters, a Y-20 transport aircraft and a Y-9 tactical transport aircraft, as well as a team of airborne troops to Russia to participate in the International Army Games 2021.
This is a joint exercise initiated by Russia's Defense Ministry, Y-20 carried troops and equipment to Russia.
The latest major overseas mission for Y-20 is to provide supplies to Tonga. Wu Qian, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, announced that the Chinese military overcame a few challenges including volcanic ash in the airspace, and dispatched air force transport planes and naval vessels to deliver supplies.
Y-20 is carrying food, drinking water, water purifiers, radio communication equipment and other emergency and construction materials to Tonga in two batches at the end of Jan 2022, the first overseas humanitarian mission of Y-20s.
Photo and video: Wiki common, CCTV7 site
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