Y-8
The Shaanxi Y-8 is a licensed version of An-12 built in China. The Y-8 is a medium size medium range tranport aircraft produced by Shanxi Aircraft Company, based on the Russian Antonov An-12. It is a fully pressurized aircraft equipped with four turboprops and tricycle landing gears with low pressure tires and disc brake system. Its spacious cargo compartment can accommodate out-sized cargo.
Powered by 4 WJ6 turboprop engines, the Y-8 is capable of carrying troops, dropping supplies, parachute drops, and functioning as an air ambulance. It also can be used for commercial uses as a freighter. The Y-8 is The fore fuselage is a pressurized compartment for the air crew as is the rear section for the gunner. The central section is unpressurized and is designed to carry cargo. The Y-8's maximum speed is 662 km / h, has a service ceiling of 10.4 km, and a maximum range of 5,615 km. It is capable of hauling 20 tons off cargo, 96 soldiers, or 82 paratroopers. It can also carry 60 severely wounded soldiers with their stretchers, 20 slightly injured soldiers and 3 medical attendants.
An AEW version has been reported to be under development, with China having completed designs for modifying the Yun-8 medium-size airfreighters into airborne early warning [AEW] and tanker aircraft. The PLAAF is currently developing an AEW platform that will include either an Israeli or British phased-array system on a modified a Il-76B or Y-8 airframe.
There also is a maritime patrol version, the Y-8MPA or the Y-8MP, the maritime patrol version, is the first long-range maritime patrol aircraft deployed by the Peoples Liberation Army Navy [PLAN]. The Chinese military is seeking a more advanced and larger-scale carrier platform for the development of these missions. With a range of 5,600km, it consists of the Y-8/An-12 transport aircraft, equipped with a Litton APSO-504(V)3 surface search radar in an enlarged undernose radome along with additional navigational systems. About half a dozen Y-8Xs patrol aircraft are believed in service, and although the aircraft has the potential to carry a large load of weapons, it is believed at present to be un-armed. The Chinese Navy also reportedly is acquiring Skymaster AEW radars. While Chinese officials claim these radars will be used for search and rescue operations, they could be used in AEW and surface surveillance roles.
Responding to the increasing demands of the military and the commercial sector, the Xi'an Aircraft Factory made a petitioned the Chinese government to begin trial production of a medium-sized, medium-range aircraft in 1967. Trial production instead was assigned to Van Aircraft Factory in December 1968 and was designated the Y-8.
Design of the aircraft was completed by February 1972. Major features of the Y-8 included a similar fuselage to the H-6 bomber, the same bomber's nose radome and tail turret, a roller-type dropping device instead of conveyer belt, and a gaseous oxygen system as opposed to a liquid system. The Y-8 transport aircraft was put into trial production in the Xi'an Aircraft Factory in June 1972. By December 1974, the Y-8 conducted its first flight . Following trial production of the first Y-8s, operations were transferred to the Shaanxi Aircraft Factory. The Shaanxi- produced Y-8s conducted their test flights in December 1975. After 66 flights amounting to 100 flying hours, the Y-8 was officially certified for use by the Chinese government.
Country of Origin. CIS (formerly USSR).
Similar Aircraft. C-130 Hercules, C-160 Transall, G.222.
Crew. Six.
Role. Medium-cargo/transport (100 equipped troops, vehicles, and weapons), ECM, ELINT.
Armament. Twin 23-mm cannons in tail.
Dimensions. Length: 121 ft, 4 in (37 m). Span: 124 ft, 8 in (38 m).
Wings. High-mounted with drooping outer wing panels, back-tapered leading edges, straight trailing edges, and blunt tips.
Engine(s). Four turboprop engines mounted under the wings’ leading edges.
Fuselage. Round, slender body with stepped cockpit and glassed-in nose. Landing gear pods bulge at lower body midsection. Upswept rear section.
Tail. Flats are unequally tapered with blunt tips and mounted high on the fuselage. Fin is tapered with a blunt tip and a step in the leading edge. Two 23-mm guns in tail turret.
