China’s Ministry of National Defence has confirmed that the maiden flight of its first domestically developed four-engine heavy military transport aircraft designated as the Y-20, was carried out successfully in January this year. This effort was in pursuit of enhancing strategic airlift capabilities to the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). The Y-20 is 154 feet long, has a wingspan of 164 feet, is capable of carrying a maximum payload of 66 metric tonnes and has a maximum take-off weight of more than 200 tons. It is operated by a crew of three.
“The successful maiden flight of the Y-20 is important in promoting China’s economic and national defence build up as well as for improving its emergency response and humanitarian aid abilities,” the Ministry of National Defence said in a statement. The Y-20 will continue to undergo experiments and flight tests.