XAC Y-20 - China's giant bird … Plus the smaller brother Y-15

[Ali_Baba]

The size and capability vise, I believe Y-15 will be a success when it is cleared for exports.

It will come down to the total cost of ownwership of

a) procurement price
b) service life of the airframe
c) airframe maintenance requirements
d) engine lifespan
e) engine fuel efficiency
f) engine maintenance requirements.

Add all those together, for a comparison of how successful it will be. When it comes to transport aircraft, given how many flying hours they do, the cost of ownership and operations tends to be the most significant factor. That is why the C130 was so successful, it was cheap to operate.

Early days for the Y-15, and of course, China never seems to publish the data for items a) to f) so we never know the true data.

 

[RealNapster]

It will come down to the total cost of ownwership of

a) procurement price
b) service life of the airframe
c) airframe maintenance requirements
d) engine lifespan
e) engine fuel efficiency
f) engine maintenance requirements.

Add all those together, for a comparison of how successful it will be. When it comes to transport aircraft, given how many flying hours they do, the cost of ownership and operations tends to be the most significant factor. That is why the C130 was so successful, it was cheap to operate.

Early days for the Y-15, and of course, China never seems to publish the data for items a) to f) so we never know the true data.

To be fair, i believe Chinese learned alot with Y-8 and Y-9 platforms. Y-9 saw major improvements over the Y-8. The result of that is visible in Y-20 as well. So in terms of capability and performance, i dont think there will be any complaints.

As far as price is concerned, I am sure it will not be too expensive maybe around $90-110 million. As is common for such class planes.

 

[Beijingwalker]

Clear Imagery Emerges of China’s New Y-15 Turboprop Tactical Transport Aircraft​

Posted By: Marcel van Leeuwen August 21, 2026

AviationNews – The first high-quality images of China’s new four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft, designated the Shaanxi Y-15, have surfaced online during its ongoing flight test campaign. This secretive tactical airlifter is designed to significantly enhance the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) logistics capabilities, precisely bridging the payload gap between medium and heavy strategic transports.​

Developed by the Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation (SAC), the Y-15—previously referred to by analysts as the Y-30—first took to the skies in December 2025 near Xi’an. The newly emerged photographs provide a detailed look at the prototype, which bears the serial number 15001. The aircraft is being actively developed to progressively replace the PLAAF’s aging fleet of Y-8 and Y-9 transports, which trace their roots back to Cold War-era Soviet designs.

Technically, the Y-15 introduces a modern high-wing, T-tail configuration powered by four advanced WJ-10 turboprop engines featuring six-blade, high-efficiency propellers. Boasting an estimated payload capacity of around 30 metric tons, the aircraft features a significantly wider fuselage and a rear loading ramp designed to accommodate bulky vehicles and standardized pallets. Its ruggedized landing gear and advanced wing design allow it to operate effectively from short, austere, or semi-prepared runways closer to the battlefield. Operationally, this places the Y-15 in a category positioned between the Lockheed Martin C-130J and the Airbus A400M.

“China’s current medium transport aircraft, the Y-9 series, has a large capacity gap with China’s large transport aircraft, the Y-20. That is likely why a new medium transport aircraft, with larger cargo capacity, flight speed, and cabin size, is needed to pair up with the Y-20,” stated Wang Ya’nan, chief editor of the Beijing-based Aerospace Knowledge magazine, regarding the strategic need for the new platform.

As the Y-15 continues its rigorous flight test program, its successful development will offer the Chinese military a highly capable and versatile tactical airlift platform. The aircraft could also ultimately serve as a foundational airframe for future specialized variants, including airborne early warning, medical evacuation, and anti-submarine warfare models.

The emergence of the clear Y-15 imagery highlights China’s ongoing drive to completely modernize its indigenous military aviation industry, shedding reliance on legacy foreign designs. Once fully operational, this new turboprop transport will become a cornerstone of the nation’s rapid deployment and tactical logistics operations.

Clear Imagery Emerges of China’s New Y-15 Turboprop Tactical Transport Aircraft

AviationNews – The first high-quality images of China’s new four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft, designated the Shaanxi Y-15, have surfaced online during its ongoing flight tes…

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