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In 2006, China government launched a Y-XX program for the
development of large transport aircraft to meet its military modernization
drive by 2015. Two major Chinese aviation companies Shaanxi Aircraft
Corporation and Xi'an Aircraft Corporation expressed interest to develop
the Y-XX aircraft, but Xi'an was announced as the manufacturer with the
official codenam Y-20 Kunpeng in 2007 . The development of the Y-20 is
believed to have benefited greatly from assistance by the Ukrainian
Antonov design bureau, as it was dependent on a Russian turboprop engine.
The first Y-20 prototype made its maiden flight on January 2013. There is
however a catch though in terms of availability of suitable engines to
power the aircraft. China plans to use its own under-development WS-20
engines for production aircraft. But, possible delays in the development
of the WS-20 engine could also result in slowing down the Y-20 program. It
was reported that the Y-20 should only be an interim measure, leaving
resources to develop a more capable aircraft using the Y-20 experience.
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