Shenyang WS-20
| WS-20 | |
|---|---|
| Type | High-bypass turbofan |
| National origin | People's Republic of China |
| Manufacturer | Shenyang Liming Aircraft Engine Company |
| Designer | |
| Major applications | Xi'an Y-20 |
| Status | Initial production |
| Developed from | Shenyang WS-10 |
The Shenyang WS-20 (Chinese: 涡扇-20; pinyin: Wōshàn-20; lit. 'turbofan-20') is a high-bypass turbofan aircraft engine designed by the Shenyang Aeroengine Research Institute for the PLAAF's Y-20 family of strategic airlifters, it is currently installed in limited numbers. It is based on the core of the low-bypass turbofan Shenyang WS-10A.[1] The thrust range is 138 kilonewtons (31,000 lbf).[2]
Testing with the Ilyushin Il-76 began by 2013.[3] Development continued in 2021.[4] Images of Y-20 equipped with WS-20s emerged in 2022.[5] The Y-20 and the WS-20 may have entered PLAAF service by 2023 or 2024, as intelligence showed Y-20B with the PLAAF roundels and colours at Kaifeng Air Base.[6][7] In 2024, Y-20B with WS-20 engines were expanding in fleet size.[8]
Applications
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Fisher, Richard (27 May 2015). "ANALYSIS: Can China break the military aircraft engine bottleneck?". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
- ↑ Newdick, Thomas (3 December 2020). "China's Y-20 Transport Appears To Be Finally Flying With Indigenous Jet Engines". The Drive. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
- ↑ Fisher, Richard (30 July 2015). "ANALYSIS: China's aerospace Dream still lacks engine's Heart". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
- ↑ Waldron, Greg (30 September 2021). "Indigenous engines for Y-20 proceeding well: aircraft designer". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
- ↑ Waldron, Greg (6 January 2022). "Y-20U tanker set to boost Beijing's air-to-air refuelling capability". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
- ↑ Kadidal, Akhil; Narayanan, Prasobh (23 March 2023). "Chinese WS20 engine likely entering operational service". Janes. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
- ↑ Kadidal, Akhil (20 December 2024). "New Y-20Bs at PLAAF airbase suggests entry into service". Janes.
- ↑ Vallance, David (8 January 2026). "China grows its air-to-air refueling capacity with an eye to Taiwan". Lowy Institute.