Google Search for Web:

Kajal Agrawal

Two Chinese Stealth J-20 Fighter Jets Get Fueled Mid-Air By ‘Futuristic’ Y-20 Tankers Featured

  26 अगस्त 2020

An artist’s concept appeared in a Chinese publication has sparked fresh interest amongst defense enthusiasts as it depicted the PLAAF Y-20 transport aircraft acting as a tanker,

topping off the tanks of two J-20 stealth fighters and sporting new WS-20 turbofan engines.Experts believe that China is in desperate need of a tanker fleet, which it requires for its ambitions to become a major power in the west pacific.  Currently, Beijing operates roughly about 13-15 mid-air refueling tankers, which include 3 Russian made Il-78 strategic tankers and a squadron of about 10 indigenously manufactured H-6 bombers converted to tanker roles. The H-6 is a license-built copy of the Soviet Tupolev Tu-16 bomber.

In contrast, the U.S. Air Force boasts a fleet of approximately 500 tanker aircraft, most of them being the KC-135s.The tanker seen in the image sports the new WS-20 turbofan engines, however, the actual initial variants are to fly with the older, less powerful engines that limit its performance. The WS-20 is seen as an essential requirement to make the aircraft achieve its maximum cargo-carrying capacity of 66 tons.

Tankers help in expanding the reach of fighters and bomber planes and are particularly significant in the western Pacific, where the possible fight zones can be a thousand miles or more from significant landmasses and their bigger airfields.

China’s vast infrastructure of mainland air bases and its island outposts do currently aid in its roles for the most probable fights fought in its near periphery, mainly against Taiwan or the South and East China seas.

As David Axe writing for the Forbes says – a “three-point” tanker conversion of the Y-20—with reliable refueling baskets under its fuselage and both wings—already has flown. Teng Hui, a Y-20 pilot and commander of a regiment in the PLAAF’s Western Theater Command told China Central Television in February, “I believe that people will see our Y-20 aerial tanker debut on the battlefield in the not too distant future”.

To compare, the IL-78 strategic tankers can offload about 100 tons of fuel per sortie, roughly equivalent to the KC-135, and the H-6 tankers can only offload about 20 tons per sortie. However, the status of the fuel carrying capacity of the Y-20U is unconfirmed, especially when fitted with better WS-20 engines.

The Y-20 can be somewhat compared to the American C-17 Globemaster heavy-lift transport aircraft but with lesser capacity. For now, it flies with the Russian-made D-30 low-bypass engines which have been termed as “obsolete 1960- technology” by aviation expert Bill Sweetman.According to Axe, the WS20 could transform the Y-20 into a truly modern strategic airlifted. The same engine could make the Y-20U a truly modern strategic tanker.

 

‘Our point of view won't always win’: Ob…

06-11-2024

Sample Image

Former President Barack Obama congratulated Trump and Vance on their victory while acknowledging the disappointment of those hoping for a different outcome. He emphasized the importance of a peaceful transfer...

Read more

Bibi's firing of Israel defence chief dr…

06-11-2024

Sample Image

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has ignited controversy and protests across Israel. Gallant's opposition to Netanyahu's handling of the Hamas war, particularly regarding a...

Read more

Congratulations pour in, except from Rus…

06-11-2024

Sample Image

World leaders reacted to Donald Trump's election victory with a mix of caution and optimism. While some expressed hope for improved relations, others emphasized the need for unity and coordination...

Read more

Trump's erratic foreign policy set to me…

06-11-2024

Sample Image

As Donald Trump returns to the political stage, questions arise about his foreign policy plans. Supporters believe his strong personality will influence world leaders, while critics point to his past...

Read more

Re-election set to stall criminal cases …

06-11-2024

Sample Image

Despite facing four criminal prosecutions, Donald Trump's election victory effectively halts legal proceedings against him during his presidency. While he can dismiss federal cases, the New York hush money case...

Read more

'Samosa Caucus' puffs up from 5 to 6 in …

06-11-2024

Sample Image

Six Indian Americans, including Suhas Subramanyam, the first from the East Coast, have secured victories in the House of Representatives elections. The incumbent Indian-American members, Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi...

Read more

X-factor: Elon set to be Trump's Muskete…

06-11-2024

Sample Image

Elon Musk, a staunch supporter of Donald Trump, celebrates the billionaire's return to the White House. Musk's influence is expected to soar in a Trump 2.0 administration, potentially securing him...

Read more

Barron anointed child, Melania jewel in …

06-11-2024

Sample Image

Body language expert Judi James said Melania's styling was corporate and her poses on Election Night were confident and strong. Barron who is remarkable for his 6'9'' height and...

Read more

'Unlike Nate Silver who will try to...':…

06-11-2024

Sample Image

​On Election Night, Nate Silver announced that he was pulling his prediction model because it wasn't "capturing the story of this election night well." Nate Silver washed his hands off...

Read more

MAGA supporters enjoy The View's meltdow…

06-11-2024

Sample Image

​ "Think about this. She did this in two months. She [Kamala] did what she did. She was everywhere. She talked to everybody, and people didn’t come out. I don’t...

Read more

Who is Donald Trump's ice maiden 'Susie…

06-11-2024

Sample Image

66-year-old Susie Wiles was immersed in every aspect of Donald Trump's 2024 campaign. As Donald Trump described her, she is always in the background and likes to remain away from...

Read more

US election results 2024: Donald Trump, …

06-11-2024

Sample Image

Donald Trump's projected second term promises a radical reshaping of American society, with a focus on mass deportation, the curtailing of reproductive rights, and the consolidation of presidential power. His...

Read more

Trump has won the US presidential polls…

06-11-2024

Sample Image

Donald Trump, in his second presidential transition, is prioritising loyalty in his appointments, including figures like Robert Kennedy Jr. and Elon Musk. This transition, managed by family and close...

Read more

Did Kari Lake, Ted Cruz, AOC, Anna Pauli…

06-11-2024

Sample Image

​Republican Ted Cruz, another closely watched senator, won a third term in the US Senate from Texas. He defeated US Rep Colin Allred. This was another election that pollsters predicted...

Read more

US chooses Donald Trump: Climate change …

06-11-2024

Sample Image

Donald Trump's return to the White House threatens global climate action. His pro-fossil fuel stance and potential withdrawal from the Paris Agreement could hinder emissions reduction efforts. While local initiatives...

Read more

'Holy smokes! Literally nothing?' CNN an…

06-11-2024

Sample Image

​CNN anchor Jake Tapper's shock at learning that Kamala Harris did not outperform Joe Biden's 2020 results in a single state on Election Night went viral. "Holy smokes! Literally nothing?...

Read more

Poll 'Nostradamus' Allan Lichtman to 'as…

06-11-2024

Sample Image

"I want to thank all the loyal members, subscribers, and viewers of our live show. We will go on and are assessing last night’s results. Please tune in on Thursday...

Read more

Kamala Harris and major Dems fall silent…

06-11-2024

Sample Image

Kamala Harris has not spoken yet and neither conceded the election. Harris canceled her Election Night speech and all major Democrats and Dem social media handles fell silent. "All...

Read more

'Project 2025 was real the whole time' p…

06-11-2024

Sample Image

Project 2025 resurfaced as the talking point after Donald Trump claimed victory in an election which was thought closer than a coin toss. Project 2025 was a 900-page policy wish...

Read more

'I'm gonna f**k you up': Cardi B's meltd…

06-11-2024

Sample Image

Cardi B hurled abuses and broke down during an Instagram live when a fan asked her to be present at the Trump inauguration. “I swear to god I’m gonna f**k...

Read more

Headlines

Priyanka Gandhi

OMAR ABDULLAH:

YouTubeBox _A

NRI News:

Currency Rates

S5 Instagram Feed

YouTubeBox _K

World COVID-19

Poll:

Who will win 2024 General Election in India?