China’s Y-20 Cargo Jet Has An Upper Passenger Deck That Can Be Installed In Its Hold
The Y-20’s novel method for mixing passengers and cargo was on full display during a recent flight to Shanghai.
Tag: airlifters
MC-130J Commando II Simulated Launching A Pallet Of Cruise Missiles During A Mock Strike Mission
Advanced network capabilities were key to the most recent test of an MC-130J special operations transport plane transformed into a missile truck.
Russia Is Extending One Of The Runways At Its Syrian Airbase
The extended runway at Khmeimim could help accommodate heavy airlifters carrying more cargo or other large aircraft, including possibly bombers.
Air Force C-17 Launched A Pallet Of Mock Cruise Missiles During Recent Arsenal Plane Test
The test was part of a larger set of experiments centered on improving the service’s communications and data-sharing networks.
Air Force Unveils First Test Of Arsenal Plane Concept And New CLEAVER Munition
The Air Force is now actively pursuing a stand-off strike capability for its cargo aircraft.
Air Force Eyes “Bomb Bay In A Box” To Rapidly Turn Airlifters Into Flying Weapon Trucks
A palletized munition system would allow the Air Force to turn its cargo aircraft into low-cost strike platforms.
Watch A Russian Il-76 Cargo Jet Bomb Targets And Strafe Them With Its Tail Gun
The Russian military recently conducted a curious training exercise in which some of its Il-76MD cargo aircraft bombed mock targets and strafed them with their 23mm tail guns. It’s an unusual capability, especially for a modern air force, but one that Russia has demonstrated before and that has clear Soviet roots.
China’s Y-20 Airlifters Make Crisis Debut Bringing Medics And Cargo To Virus Plagued Wuhan
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force, or PLAAF, has conducted a large airlift operation to bring medics and other humanitarian supplies to the city of Wuhan, which is the epicenter of a massive outbreak of a novel coronavirus that began late last year. The force included six of the PLAAF’s newest Y-20 airlifters, as well as other aircraft. This comes amid growing criticism, within the country and among the international community, of how authorities have handled the epidemic, which has killed at least 1,355 people in China.
Air Force Displays Model Of Exotic And Potentially Revolutionary Hybrid Electric Airlifter
The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory recently displayed a model of what it is calling a Distributed Propulsion Concept Vehicle that uses gas turbines to produce power for arrays of electric fans. The Air Force has said that this experimental aircraft design, which offers benefits in terms of added redundancy performance, fuel economy, and more, could be a stepping stone toward a “vision vehicle” for a new short takeoff capable cargo aircraft.
Russia Shows Wind Tunnel Model Of An “Elephant” Airlifter Replacement For The An-124
Russia has revealed a wind tunnel model for a prospective heavy cargo aircraft, dubbed the “Elephant,” to replace the Soviet-era An-124 Ruslan, or Condor. Curiously, the Elephant’s design appears to be significantly different from previous models and artwork of the Ilyushin Il-106, which that company had said earlier this year was already in development to replace the Ruslans.