In the previous article, the author talked about a series of developments in the continental C919 and C929 passenger aircraft. Today, we talk about the possible variants of the C919 large airliner. Referring to the experience and models of the US Air Force and Navy, on the basis of large passenger aircraft, it is possible to develop various types of special aircraft, such as AWACS aircraft, anti-submarine aircraft, tankers, reconnaissance aircraft, electronic warfare aircraft, and so on. So, how important is the C919 large passenger aircraft to the PLA troops?
PLA Air Force Air Police 500 AWACS aircraft
First, let's talk about the platform and use of special machines. The field of special aircraft is very wide, including early warning aircraft, anti-submarine aircraft, electronic warfare aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft, tanker aircraft, etc., all of which belong to special aircraft. In general, special aircraft need to take into account the issue of carrying platforms. Therefore, special aircraft generally use military transport aircraft or large passenger aircraft as airborne platforms. It has to be said that there are advantages and disadvantages to the use of military transport aircraft or large passenger aircraft, and there is no absolute difference between advanced and backward.
Next, let's talk about the mainland's special aircraft. For a long time, due to the lack of strength of the continental aviation industry, it was not possible to design and produce various large or medium-sized platforms. As a result, there are very few special aircraft platforms available for the mainland to choose from. At present, the mainland's antisubmarine patrol planes, electronic jamming planes, reconnaissance planes, and so on are basically further developed on the basis of the Y-8 or Y-9 medium-sized transport planes. As for tankers, due to the need to carry more jet fuel.
PLA Navy anti-submarine patrol aircraft
On the basis of the Y-20 large transport aircraft, the mainland further developed the Y-20 air tanker. The situation is similar in the field of AWACS, which at this stage is mainly based on the Y-9 platform. However, with the gradual increase in the number of Y-20 transport aircraft, the mainland is developing a new generation of large long-range early warning aircraft on the basis of the Y-20. Referring to the experience of the US Air Force and Navy, special aircraft do not necessarily need to be developed on the basis of military transport aircraft, but also on the basis of large passenger aircraft.
For example, the vast majority of US anti-submarine aircraft, early warning aircraft, tankers, and other special aircraft were further developed on the basis of large passenger aircraft. Taking the US P8 series anti-submarine patrol aircraft as an example, according to statistics, the US military has successively equipped more than 120 P8A series anti-submarine patrol aircraft. The American P8A anti-submarine aircraft, developed from the Boeing 737-800ERX airliner, has 5 built-in weapons hardpoints and 6 external weapons hardpoints, and can carry up to 129 sonar buoys.
PLA Y-20 large transport aircraft
Two turbofan engines are used, with a maximum flight speed of 907 kilometers per hour and a maximum range of 8,300 kilometers. Because it is a passenger aircraft carrier, more attention is paid to the range and flight stability. In the absence of large passenger aircraft on the mainland, the use of military transport aircraft carriers is the only option. However, with the development of the C919 large passenger aircraft, at this stage, Continental has the possibility of developing a new carrier special aircraft. Of course, it will take some time and testing.
At the beginning of the 21st century, Continental began to develop and design the ARJ21 regional airliner, which was an important attempt and breakthrough in the field of civil airliners. In 2008, the ARJ21 regional airliner made its first flight, and in 2014, it obtained an airworthiness certificate. As of 2023, more than 120 ARJ21 airliners have been delivered and are still in mass production deliveries. ARJ21 passenger aircraft is a regional passenger aircraft, with a maximum take-off weight of more than 40 tons, a maximum range of more than 2,000 kilometers, and a passenger capacity of 78-90 seats.
The new AWACS aircraft is based on the Y-20 transport aircraft
The emergence of the ARJ21 regional airliner has accumulated a large number of design experience, technology and professional talents for the continental aviation industry, which is the most important. For a country, once it has the experience, technology and talent, it is only a matter of time before it designs other models. In 2017, the C919 large passenger aircraft made its first flight, and in 2023, it will obtain the domestic airworthiness certificate. At present, the C919 large passenger aircraft is being mass-produced and gradually delivered to customers, and the order has exceeded 1,000 aircraft.
The C919 large passenger aircraft has a maximum take-off weight of more than 77 tons, a maximum passenger capacity of 190 people, and a maximum range of more than 5,500 kilometers. In terms of aircraft size and transportation capacity, the continental C919 passenger aircraft is basically compared with the Airbus A320neo of France and the Boeing 737 Max passenger aircraft of the United States. The delivery of the C919 large passenger aircraft is of great significance, which is an important step for the mainland to catch up with the world's advanced aviation level.
American P-8A anti-submarine patrol aircraft
Due to the lack of Continental's level in the field of aero engines, the C919 passenger aircraft uses two LEAP-1C engines jointly developed by France and the United States. However, the CJ-1000A turbofan engine made in China has entered the flight test stage. Once fully mature and finalized, it will be installed and used, and it is not expected to take too long. According to open information, the CJ-1000A engine has a diameter of 1.95 meters and a maximum thrust of about 13.5 tons.
Of course, the current CJ-1000A still uses relatively backward titanium alloy turbofan blades, which are heavier and shorter in life than the carbon fiber blades of LEAP-X1C. In other words, Continental still needs to catch up in the field of aero engines. At present, the CJ1000A engine has begun to be tested on the Yun-20 test machine. It is believed that in the next few years, it will be able to complete finalization and mass production. With the full localization of the C919 large passenger aircraft, it provides a new carrier platform for the development of special aircraft for the PLA troops.
American E-3 airborne early warning aircraft
In terms of flight performance, range and other aspects of comprehensive performance, the C919 large passenger aircraft is definitely significantly better than the current Y-8 and Y-9 medium-sized transport aircraft. After the C919 can be mass-produced, the mainland will have the strength and possibility to develop a new generation of early warning aircraft, antisubmarine patrol aircraft, electronic warfare aircraft, electronic reconnaissance aircraft, air command aircraft, and other special aircraft on the basis of the C919 large passenger aircraft. As for air tankers, it is necessary to wait for C929 wide-body airliners. Because, the C919 airliner has a limited fuel load.
At this stage, relying on the Y-9 medium-sized transport aircraft as the carrier to develop various types of special aircraft is sufficient for the mission needs of the PLA troops. However, in the long run, the carrier platform with two turbofan engines is an inevitable trend. For example, Japan has also begun to develop its own electronic reconnaissance aircraft and anti-submarine aircraft on the basis of jet airliners.
Of course, there is another possibility, and that is a new generation of medium transport aircraft. At present, the medium-sized transport aircraft currently in service on the mainland are the Y-8 and Y-9 series, with a maximum carrying capacity of about 20 tons. The above two transport aircraft basically use four turboprop 6 series engines. The prototype of the turboprop type 6 engine was the AI-50 engine of the 20s in the USSR. This series of engines has stable performance and good reliability, but the fuel consumption is on the high side, and there is a problem of insufficient power.
Even the latest turboprop 6C engine has a maximum output of 3,760 kilowatts, which is equivalent to about 5,100 horsepower. With the AEP500 engine rolling off the assembly line, Continental's new generation of medium-sized transport aircraft is fully operational. After calculations and speculations, the new generation of medium transport aircraft (the legendary Y-30) has a maximum carrying capacity of about 4 AEP500 engines and a maximum carrying capacity of about 30 tons, further catching up with the level of European A400M tactical transport aircraft. On its basis, the development of various types of special aircraft is expected.
Continental's new generation Y-30 medium transport aircraft
In short, with the full localization of the C919 large passenger aircraft, the mainland has more choices in the development of special aircraft. Especially after the emergence of various models such as C929 and Y-30, the number of models that the mainland can choose will greatly increase.
European A400M tactical transport aircraft
A series of stories about the development of aircraft types in the PLA troops, and many more. The author will talk to you slowly in future articles.