JANE'S DEFENCE WEEKLY - MARCH 22, 2006
China, Ukraine team on air projects
TED PARSONS JDW Correspondent Virginia, US /
Additional reporting Damain Kemp Jane's Aviation Desk Editor
London
Collaborative activity by Antonov Aircraft of the Ukraine has yielded progress on several existing aerospace programmes in China, according to Ukrainian sources, as well as advancing plans to build a new transport capable of carrying a load of 50-60 tons.
China has copied several Antonov designs since the 1960s, but formal co-operation did not commence until 30 years later.
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The ambitious plans, which would see first flight in the next 10 years, were announced by National People's Congress member and senior China Aviation Industry Corporation I (AVIC I) official Liu Daxang in an official government statement.
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Ukrainian sources said this activity may lead to a USD1 billion programme involving the co-design and production of a new large transport aircraft based on the Antonov An-70. This programme has been reported previously, but these sources revealed new details that indicate it remains an active proposal.
Differing from the An-70, the design proposed for China would utilise four turbofan engines in place of the 14-blade contra-rotating propfans of the An-70. The cargo bay would retain the same width and height but would extend about 5 m longer. Maximum cargo capacity would range between 50 and 60 tons.
The Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) strongly supports this programme, the sources noted, adding that it is "owned" by the AVIC II consortium.
However, AVIC II is competing for funding with a small new transport design: a twin turbojet transport revealed at the 2004 Zhuhai Airshow.
It is unclear whether the proposed large transport will be funded during the 2006-10 planning period just launched.
All Chinese special mission platform makes appearance (jdw.janes.com, 14/12/05)