Development of the Y-9 may have begun as early as 2002 as the Y-8X program. The program was a collaborative effort with Antonov – the designers of the An-12 that it was ultimately derived from – and was aimed at competing with the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules. By September 2005, the Y-9 designation was being used.[4] The Y-9 received design features originally intended for the Y-8F600,[4] which was cancelled in 2008.[5]
Shaanxi had hoped to conduct the first flight as early as 2006, but it was delayed. Design changes were made in 2006,[3] with the design being frozen by January 2010. After the design freeze, it was suggested that the first flight would depend on securing a launch customer; construction had also not yet commenced.[5] The aircraft finally flew in November 2010.[6]
The Y-9 is powered by four WoJiang WJ-6Cturboprop engines. The propellers are six-bladed and made with Chinese JL-4 composites, and closely resemble the Dowty R406. The WJ-6C is replaced by the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW150B in the Y-9E export variant.[4]
The cruise speed is 300 knots (560 km/h; 350 mph) with an endurance of around 10.5 hours.[7]
The Y-9 is designed for 25 tons of cargo but can carry up to 30 tons in overload configuration. The cargo area has a length of 16.2 (53), a width of 3.2 (10), and a height of 2.35 (7.7). The aircraft can fit up to 106 passengers, 132 paratroopers, or 72 stretchers. For vehicles, it can carry two para-droppable ZBD-03 airborne combat vehicles as well as various other military equipment such as light trucks, cargo containers, or pallets.[8]
The cargo bay has an internal volume of 155 m3 and is fitted with cargo handling rollers and tie-down rings. The rear entrance to the cargo bay also functions as a ramp.[1][9]
Some special purpose variants such as the Y-9G (GX-11) have the rear ramp door removed.[10]
^ abcdFisher, Richard D. Jr. (2008). China's Military Modernization: Building for Regional and Global Reach. Greenwood. pp. 180–81. ISBN978-0-275-99486-0.
^ abcdRupprecht, Andreas (2018). Modern Chinese Warplanes: Chinese Naval Aviation - Aircraft and Units. Harpia Publishing. p. 29. ISBN978-09973092-5-6.
^ abcdefRupprecht, Andreas (29 October 2018). Modern Chinese Warplanes: Chinese Air Force - Aircraft and Units. Harpia Publishing. p. 92. ISBN978-09973092-6-3.
^Yunpeng, Li; Lina, Chen (20 December 2017). "陆军部队第二架运-9型运输机列装". Ministry of National Defence of the People's Republic of China. Archived from the original on 26 December 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
^Jackson, Paul, ed. (2010). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2010-11 (101st ed.). London: Jane's Information Group. pp. 134–135. ISBN978-0710629166.
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