Shaanxi Y-9

The Shaanxi Y-9 (Chinese: 运-9; pinyin: Yùn-9) is a medium military transport aircraft produced by Shaanxi Aircraft Company in China.[1][2] It is a stretched and upgraded development of the Shaanxi Y-8F.[3]

Y-9
Shaanxi Y-9 at 2014 Zhuhai Air Show.
Role Transport aircraft
National origin China
Manufacturer Shaanxi Aircraft Company
First flight November 2010
Introduction 2012
Status Operational / In production
Primary users People's Liberation Army
Myanmar
Number built 30 +
Developed from Shaanxi Y-8

Development

Development of the Y-9 may have begun as early as 2002 as the Y-8X program. The program was a collaborative effort with Antonov – the designers of the An-12 that it was ultimately derived from – and was aimed at competing with the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules. By September 2005, the Y-9 designation was being used.[4] The Y-9 received design features originally intended for the Y-8F600,[4] which was cancelled in 2008.[5]

Shaanxi had hoped to conduct the first flight as early as 2006, but it was delayed. Design changes were made in 2006,[3] with the design being frozen by January 2010. After the design freeze, it was suggested that the first flight would depend on securing a launch customer; construction had also not yet commenced.[5] The aircraft finally flew in November 2010.[6]

The Y-9 entered People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) service in 2012,[1] with full operating capability being announced in December 2017.[2]

Design

The Y-9 is powered by four WoJiang WJ-6C turboprop engines. The propellers are six-bladed and made with Chinese JL-4 composites, and closely resemble the Dowty R406. The WJ-6C is replaced by the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW150B in the Y-9E export variant.[4]

The cruise speed is 300 knots (560 km/h; 350 mph) with an endurance of around 10.5 hours.[7]

Cargo capacity

The Y-9 is designed for 25 tons of cargo but can reportedly carry up to 30 tons.

The aircraft can carry up to 106 passengers, 132 paratroopers, or 72 stretchers. Alternatively, it can carry two ZBD-03 airborne combat vehicles, which can be paradropped. The Y-9 can carry various other military vehicles, including light trucks, cargo containers or pallets.

The cargo bay has an internal volume of 155 m3. It is fitted with cargo handling rollers and tie-down rings. The rear cargo door serves as a ramp.[1][8]

Some special purpose variants such as the Y-9G (GX-11) have the rear ramp door removed.[9]

Variants
GX-8
Y-9
Base variant
Y-9E
Export designation of Y-9[6]
Y-9JB (GX-8)
Electronic intelligence variant[10]
Y-9XZ (GX-9)
Psychological operations/cyberattack[11][1]
Y-9W / KJ-500 (GX-10)
Airborne early warning and control variant. Five hour endurance, and fitted with lighter version of KJ-2000 AESA radar.[12]
Y-9G (GX-11)
Electronic warfare (ECM) variant[7]

Operators
 People's Republic of China
 Myanmar

Specifications (Y-9)

Data from [16]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 4
  • Capacity: 25,000 kg (55,116 lb) cargo / 106 paratroopers / 72 medevac +3 attendants
  • Length: 36.065 m (118 ft 4 in)
  • Wingspan: 38 m (124 ft 8 in)
  • Height: 11.3 m (37 ft 1 in)
  • Wing area: 121.9 m2 (1,312 sq ft)
  • Airfoil: root: C-5-18; tip: C-3-14[17]
  • Max takeoff weight: 65,000 kg (143,300 lb) (and MLW)
  • Fuel capacity: 23,000 kg (50,706 lb)
  • Powerplant: 4 × WoJiang WJ-6C turboprop engines [4]
  • Propellers: 6-bladed JL-4 composite constant-speed fully-feathering reversible propellers

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 650 km/h (400 mph, 350 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 550 km/h (340 mph, 300 kn)
  • Range: 2,200 km (1,400 mi, 1,200 nmi) with 15,000 kg (33,069 lb) payload
  • Ferry range: 5,700 km (3,500 mi, 3,100 nmi) with maximum fuel
  • Service ceiling: 10,400 m (34,100 ft)
  • Maximum operating altitude: 8,000 m (26,247 ft)
  • Power/mass: 0.234 kW/kg (0.142 hp/lb)

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References
  1. Tate, Andrew (9 December 2019). "China mass producing Y-9 surveillance aircraft". Jane's. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  2. Panda, Ankit (6 December 2017). "China's Air Force Declares Shaanxi Y-9 Transport Aircraft Operational". The Diplomat. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  3. Francis, Leithen (27 September 2007). "China to receive first Y-9 military transport in 2009". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  4. Fisher, Richard D., Jr. (2008). China's Military Modernization: Building for Regional and Global Reach. Greenwood. p. 180-81. ISBN 978-0-275-99486-0.
  5. Francis, Leithen (29 January 2010). "Shaanxi's Y9 still waiting on Chinese military to commit". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  6. "New look for an old veteran [AAD18D2]". Jane's. 20 September 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  7. Tate, Andrew (12 March 2019). "PLAAF operating ECM variant of Y-9 aircraft". Jane's. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  8. https://gbp.com.sg/stories/china-promotes-export-of-y-9e/
  9. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/y-9gx.htm
  10. Yeo, Mike (6 October 2014). "Japan intercepts new Chinese GX-8 ELINT aircraft". Archived from the original on 10 October 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  11. https://defencereviewasia.com/online-feature-chinas-unique-special-missions-aircraft/
  12. Fisher, Richard D., Jr (4 September 2015). "China showcases new weapon systems at 3 September parade". IHS Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
  13. http://mil.news.sina.com.cn/jssd/2018-04-08/doc-ifyvtmxc7540208.shtml
  14. Dominguez, Gabriel (20 December 2017). "Second Y-9 transport aircraft enters service with PLAGF, says report". IHS Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 26 December 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  15. Yunpeng, Li; Lina, Chen (20 December 2017). "陆军部队第二架运-9型运输机列装". Ministry of National Defence of the People's Republic of China. Archived from the original on 26 December 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  16. Jackson, Paul, ed. (2010). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2010-11 (101st ed.). London: Jane's Information Group. pp. 134–135. ISBN 978-0710629166.
  17. Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
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