First, let's take a look at the structure of the Y-20. The Y-20 is a large transport aircraft of high strategic importance, and the main difference compared to passenger aircraft such as the C919 is the bearing capacity of the floor. Due to the need to carry heavy materials such as tanks and military supplies, very strict requirements were put forward for the structure of the Y-20. To solve this problem, static tests and destructive tests were carried out. The details of the test site have attracted attention. The success of the test is of great significance to the Y-20.
At the test site, the team had a huge amount of work to do. The difficulty and working intensity of the ground static test of the whole machine are very high. During the test, there is a value that must be between 100% and 120% in relation to the load capacity. Below this interval indicates that the strength is not up to standard, and above this interval indicates that the design needs to be optimized. When the test was carried out to 111%, the wing of the Y-20 broke instantly, which shows that the Y-20 not only met the strength requirements, but also fully realized the full potential of materials and design. After the wing broke, the audience erupted in thunderous applause and bursts of screams, cheering for the designer's perfect creation.
Internationally, the level of the Y-20 is considered to have reached a very high level. At the Dubai Airshow, the appearance of the Y-20 attracted great attention. Although we cannot know whether the Y-20 is equipped with a turbofan 18 engine or a turbofan 20 engine, there is no doubt that the load capacity of the replacement version of the Y-20 has exceeded the limit of 60 tons, and its strategic significance is self-evident. Compared to the Russian Il-76 of the same type, the Y-20 is much more advanced. The maximum take-off weight and carrying capacity of the Il-76 is only 60 tons, and the cargo compartment is small. The Y-20 is a first-class transport aircraft with more advanced performance. Compared to the American C-17 Globemaster 3 transport aircraft, the C-17 has a larger maximum take-off weight and cargo compartment volume. Due to the fact that the C-17 did not have a competitive advantage in the international market, the United States stopped the production line of this model early. Even if the production line is restarted to compete with the Y-20 in the international market, it will not be able to occupy an advantage, because the ** of the C-17 is too high, and only a few countries can afford it. Therefore, the Y-20 performs very well in the same class of transport aircraft, and also has a significant advantage in the international market.
Recently, there are rumors that a Y-20 has been converted into a tanker aircraft, and related test flights have been carried out. This indicates that the Y-20 is likely to officially enter the stage of mass production. In comparison, the U.S. Air Force, as the world's largest air force, has 223 C-17 and 52 C-5 strategic transport aircraft. For example, in the recent outbreak of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the US military sent more than 60 sorties of C-17 transport planes to reinforce two battalions of Patriot air defense systems in just three days to deal with the missile threat posed by Iran and Yemen to Israel. In 2021, when the US military fully withdrew from Afghanistan, at least 1,000 sorties of C-17 transport aircraft were dispatched. It can be seen that with such a large army as the US military, 223 C-17s and 52 C-5s are fully sufficient to meet their airlift needs. And the PLA, as an army ready to go abroad, speculates that the number of equipment in its Y-20 may be comparable to that of the C-17, or even more.
Due to the development of the "Belt and Road" economic cooperation network, China has more and more interests overseas, and the demand for the PLA in strategic air transportation will also increase in the future. The PLA is currently not equipped with super-large transport aircraft like the C-5, so even in order to meet the needs of the PLA's five major theaters of "going out" or "fighting out", the Y-20 will have more equipment than the C-17. However, this is not an achievable goal in the short term. This is not because the production capacity of the Y-20 cannot keep up, but because the PLA does not have much place to digest so much demand at the moment. As mentioned earlier, the US Air Force is armed with such a massive C-17 in order to serve global strategic deployments. Therefore, in the absence of clear demand from the PLA, the production capacity and equipment volume of the Y-20 may not show a faulty growth, but a steady and continuous growth. This is also in line with China's actual situation, and we will move forward in a down-to-earth manner, do what we can, and will not be drawn into the vicious circle of arms race with the United States.
Summary: The success of the static test of the whole machine of the Y-20 is of great significance to the research and development of the Y-20. The Y-20 is considered internationally to be of a very high level, more advanced compared to the transport aircraft of the United States and Russia, and has an advantage in the international market. It is possible that the Y-20 will enter the stage of mass production, and the number of equipment will not be lower than that of the American C-17. As China's interests abroad increase, the PLA's need for strategic air transport will increase, so the number of equipment for the Y-20 may be even higher. However, this is not an achievable goal in the short term, and demand growth will continue to grow steadily. The main focus of the Y-20 is "steady," doing what is within one's ability, and will not be drawn into the vicious circle of an arms race with the United States.