PLA milestones: How China has built its military might
 |
| Homegrown large transport aircraft, Y-20, takes off on June 2016. Two Y-20 planes officially joined the Air Force on July 6, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua] |
Largest homegrown transport aircraft
Y-20, China's largest homegrown transport aircraft, made its maiden flight on Jan 2013, marking a step in the country's goal of building a strategic air power. In July 2016, two Y-20 planes officially joined the Air Force. Designed and manufactured by State-owned aviation giant the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, the Y-20 boasts a maximum takeoff weight of around 200 tons.
It is ideal for transporting cargo and people over long distances in diverse weather conditions.
According to a report in March, China will develop a new generation of rockets that will be launched from aircraft to put satellites into space and the Y-20 strategic transport plane will be the carrier of these rockets.
Related stories:
China to develop satellite-delivery rockets released from airplanes
- China's Hebei restores power, roads after heavy rains
- Global influencers explore beer city at Qingdao WCNA
- Heavy rainstorm leaves three dead, four missing in Hebei resort
- Ethnic integration on the grassland
- China renews alerts for rainstorms, high temperature
- Beijing restores power, communications, water-supply to flood-hit villages
