Tag Archives: Il-76

Technology

World War 3 Vehicle I-D: YY-20, China’s new long range airborne fueler, offspring of the Il-76?

Video

YY-20 during Airshow China, in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province. Photo by Deng Hua, 08NOV2022.

I have heard many people say the Y-20 is China’s version of the U.S. Boeing C-17, but if you look at the main wing and nacelles, from above, it is clear it is a development of the old Cold War era Soviet Ilyushin 76.

Two Russian IL-76 transports on McChord Air Force Base, Washington. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Steve Thurow, 01NOV1995.

Model kit builders: Just take the the Il-76 and stick a C-17 tail on, then get rid of the glass nose.

YY-20 during Airshow China, in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province. Photo via Xinhua, 08NOV2022.

Some Chinese news releases are referring to the YY-20 as the YU-20.  In this excerpted air show video, released on 09NOV2022, notice that it starts with a graphic calling the tanker a YU-20:

YY-20 during Airshow China, in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province. Photo via Xinhua, 08NOV2022.

On 01AUG2022, the People’s Liberation Army(PLA)-Air Force announced the successful completion of YY-20 training, which just happened to take place near Taiwan. PLA-AF promotional video:

Also in August, the YY-20 was first used operationally to refuel aircraft taking part in a blockade of Taiwan.  I excerpted this video from a PLA Eastern Theater Command report dated 11AUG2022:

PLA Air Force promotional video released on 30AUG2022:

World War 3 Vehicle I-D:   CHINA MAKES SURPRISE(?) DELIVERY OF MILITARY AID TO RUSSIAN ALLY, USING NEW Y-20!

Labor Shortage: CHINA TURNS TO ROBOTS & DRONES TO SUPPLY ITS MILITARY!

International, U.S.

Peacekeeper ’95: Russia invades NATO United States! Red Dawn for reals?

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U.S. Air Force personnel de-ice a Russian Il-76 on McChord Air Force Base, Washington, before its flight to Kansas, 24OCT1995. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Steve Thurow.

Russian troops off-load their gear on McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, 24OCT1995. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Steve Thurow.

Russia’s 27th Guards Motorized Rifle Division troops march on McConnell AFB, Kansas. USAF photo by Senior Airman Steve Thurow, 24OCT1995.

In October/November 1995, Russian Ilyushin 76 cargo aircraft landed in Illinois, Kansas and Washington, loaded with Russian troops!

A Russian IL-76 takes off from McChord AFB, Washington, heading for McConnell AFB, Kansas, 25OCT1995. USAF photo by Senior Airman Steve Thurow.

A Russian Il-76 sits on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. USAF photo by Senior Airman Steve Thurow, 01NOV1995.

Russian officers try to explain to the local news media in Kansas why they are on U.S. soil. USAF photo by Senior Airman Steve Thurow, 01NOV1995.

Russia’s 27th Guards, Motorized Rifle Division board their IL-76 transport at McConnell AFB, Kansas, United States. USAF photo by Senior Airman Tony Jergens, 01NOV1995.

It was the first time the Russian military set foot on the United States.  According to a Los Angeles Times article, Peacekeeper ’95 was about preparing U.S. and Russian personnel to work together during their joint deployment to the former Yugoslavia/Bosnia-Herzegovina for peacekeeping duties.

Two Russian IL-76 transports on McChord AFB, Washington. USAF photo by Senior Airman Steve Thurow, 01NOV1995.

Russian troops going home, unload their souvenirs of their ‘invasion’ of the U.S., before boarding the Il-76 waiting to take them back to Russia. USAF photo by Senior Airman Tony Jergens.

Cold War Finale: Soviet Navy helicopters swarm U.S. Navy ships?

World War 3: USAF PREPS TO USE C-130 ON U.S. HIGHWAYS! RED DAWN FOR REALS?