Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

Data Figure: China’s large aircraft to imagine the Air Force, according to Figure

Nov. 9, 2007, the Air Group has announced that Hu Xiaofeng, general manager of the aircraft: “The Chinese Air Force military aircraft, specifically 200-ton large-kind aircraft will unveiled at the end. “birth of Chinese military aircraft about the news was announced, it caused the public, particularly the widespread concern of military enthusiasts. As hopes of many people dream of key projects, large military aircraft to the “fingertips” will be able to create entities, also caused speculation about the outside world.

create entities from the test still time

CNAC reason why this news release, “a ripple”, a because of its progress seems too “fast.” As we all know, a large aircraft is a complex project, its research and development to spend time and money. So, the big aircraft project 2007 project, in the eyes of many, it seems unlikely so soon “bear fruit.” In fact, this understanding is entirely due to public misunderstanding of the message.

First, create the aircraft and aircraft heaven is not the same entity. A type create prototypes of new aircraft designs, the first test for a variety of ground, even after various adjustments, after a very long time to test; go through various technical indicators on the actual aircraft tests until their performance stable before mass production. Across all process usually takes several years, especially those technical difficulties of the models, will be more time-consuming.

shipped to China in the past developed -10, for example, in July 1976, the first of transport -10 completed successful test flight, the aircraft is the ultimate in September 1980, and subsequently held several experiment until the project terminated in 1982, transport is still not finalized -10. Although China is now developed by military aircraft can not simply apply the model year, but the prototype of a soaring, but it certainly made it happen after a very long time.

Secondly, a large military aircraft even if there is not enough number of shared research equipment, funding, stand-alone prices will become very expensive. U.S. F-22 fighter is because of the number is too small, price was $ 200 million or more. So, even if the successful development of military aircraft, if you can not get enough orders, still can not quickly form a combat capability.

“200-ton” is a concept

news reports said the latest military aircraft is a “200-ton”, which is how the concept of it? Some people simply be understood as “load 200 tons,” is actually a misunderstanding. Ton is used to measure levels of unit weight of the object, usually plus or minus a value (such as 175 tons to be regarded as 200-ton), rather than constant. In addition, from common sense, should refer to 200-ton aircraft empty weight plus fuel and other goods, the maximum weight and load is not the same. According to empirical analysis, the actual Chinese military aircraft of the load should be 50 to 60 tons.

present, the world representative of the U.S. military heavy transport aircraft C-17 and Russian Il-76. One, C-17 flight in 1991, Captain 53 meters, height 16.8 meters, wingspan of 50.3 m, maximum takeoff weight of 263 tons. Machine at full load range of 4630 km, air refueling after a maximum range of 11,600 km. U.S. Air Force is equipped with 190 or so C-17, India has recently made a purchase intention.

IL-76 is the Soviet Union in the late 1960s developed the remote transport. The aircraft captain 46.59 m, height 14.76 meters, wingspan of 50.5 meters, capable of carrying 40 tons of military supplies all-weather flight. The modified IL-76 Il-76MD takeoff weight 200 tons, a maximum range of 9000 km, fully loaded range of 4500 km.

By comparing the data for more than two aircraft can be seen, our newly developed 200-ton military aircraft, more similar to Il-76MD, the use of advanced materials and engine technology, the main performance will be improved. Since China introduced through IL-76, its use has accumulated considerable experience, so the British “Jane’s Defense Weekly” and other foreign media have speculated that as early as 2007 in the IL-76 in China, based on the reference and Ukraine -70 cooperation projects in transport security experience, developing a performance beyond the IL-76, close to the C-17 heavy transport aircraft.

engine research and development will not become a bottleneck

the moment, the rapid development of Chinese air force, have made many of the main fighter, but is still in the field of heavy transport aircraft blank . As the long-term dependence on imported products, China is not only to pay a lot of foreign exchange, also limited the number of aircraft and equipment, thus affecting the air mobility forces. In fact, in last year’s earthquake, if our military can be deployed more heavy transport aircraft, is bound to make people’s army to play a more fully the power of relief.

need to address the point that although major military aircraft project made good progress overall, but China’s large aircraft engine development, there are still bottlenecks. Currently, the domestic military aircraft in what type of engine is not yet clear, but in Shanghai on November 5 at the 2009 China International Industry Fair pre-show, the emergence of a code model of SF-A engine, the thrust of 12,000 to 1.3 million kilograms, enough domestic military aircraft as the “heart.” Of course, if the engine does research and development obstacles, made military aircraft and F-10 fighter can be the same, starting with imported engines, and then gradually made the transition to the engine, thus ensuring the project is not drag.

no doubt that when our self-developed military aircraft take to the skies, once there is a need, you can force a shorter period of time in the motor to where it is needed, not only greatly enhance the PLA’s long-range strike capability, but also can save procurement funds, making the military can be used in a more limited need. Moreover, if military aircraft in the future to go abroad, is nothing more than “Made in China” to create a new flagship side, from the international arms trade on the market in exchange for more foreign exchange. (Newspaper freelance writer Chu water Ang)