Preparations for Chang'e-6 are entering the countdown stage, a major step in China's lunar exploration program. To accomplish this ambitious mission, the Russian-produced An-124 and the domestically produced Y-20 transport aircraft delivered the probe components. This reality has made people rethink when China will have a large intercontinental transport aircraft similar to the An-124 or C-5.
The United States and the Soviet Union fought a contest during the Cold War to develop a large cargo aircraft. The American C-133 aircraft, in terms of scientific and technological content, is inferior to the Soviet Il-76, and even comparable to the Y-20 A. The C-133 was used to deliver an intercontinental missile, and demonstrated its excellent performance in transporting conventional materials during the Vietnam campaign. However, the C-133 was eventually discontinued due to flaws in its design, as well as some problems with the machine, while the C-130 remained in service.
After the development of science and technology to a certain extent, the United States and the Soviet Union both set their sights on more aircraft with turbocharged engines. The advent of these two aircraft has ushered in a new era of heavy-haul transportation technology. Both were designed to transport major battle tanks, and their arrival greatly enhanced the army's ability to transport between continents.
Entering a new era is also a huge challenge for those conventional continental transporters. The U.S. Air Force has introduced a new generation of C-17, which combines the greatest advantages of both C-5 and C-141 models, reducing its load capacity, reducing take-off and landing conditions, and retaining the function of transporting important military equipment. The C-17 was a great achievement, leading to the retirement of the C-141, while the C-5 retained its original position, but its central position was gone.
The Chinese Y-20, albeit not developed for a long time, absorbed the concept of the C-17 and was able to carry the main combat vehicle. However, the current demand for super-heavy intercontinental transport aircraft in the Chinese Air Force is not large, for example, the An-124 and C-5. The Y-20 B alone can meet the carrying needs of most conventional equipment, and can bear the carrying capacity of non-traditional equipment such as Chang'e-6.
Looking further ahead, the development of supercontinental transport ships is tempting, but at present, the C-17 and Y-20 have been confirmed, and investing in such platforms is not a priority. If future strategy requires a change, as in the case of the Soviet Union's space shuttle program that brought the An-225 to market, China may want to develop this type of transport. But now, perhaps, more practical, and more urgent, is the development of the Y-20 B or the development of the Y-9.