fter years of starting, and then stopping, development, China announced that its new Y-9 transports is under construction, and will make its first flight next year.

China wants to reduce its dependence on Russia for transport aircraft, and has noted the success of the latest version of the C-130, the C-130J (a 79 ton aircraft with a crew of three, that can carry 33 tons of cargo, 8 pallets or 92 paratroopers.) The C-130J has a cruise speed of 644 kilometers an hour and max ferry range of 7,400 kilometers.
http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htairmo/articles/20101001.aspx


The first Y-9 prototype (#2205) is shown here as it was undergoing final assembly at SAC. The design was first unveiled at the 11th Beijing Airshow in September 2005. Y-9 is the next generation medium-size and medium-range transport aircraft to replace the obsolete Y-8 series transport aircraft. It appears to have superceded the earlier Y-8-X project (initially dubbed Y-8U?). The aircraft features a spacious cargo cabin which can quickly load/unload maximum 20t containerized cargo, or airdrop 13.2t equipment or 98 paratroopers. It also has a 4-crew cockpit featuring 6 color MFDs and EFIS. The aircraft is equipped with advanced communication, navigation, radar, EGWPS, collision avoidance systems to ensure safe flight under all weather conditions. The aircraft will be powered by 4 WJ-6C turboprops (rated @ 5,100ehp each) with JL-4 6-blade propellers made of composite materials, which improve its high temperature and high altitude performance. Some specifications: max TO weight 65t, max payload 20t or 106 paratroopers, 15t payload range 2,200km, max range 5,000km, max level speed 650km/h, cruise speed 550km/h, service ceiling 10,100m, cruise altitude 8,000m. The development of Y-9 started officially in October 2005 and the construction of the first prototype (tail and head sections) started in 2006. However the project appeared to have been halted in 2007 due to shifting the production to the high priority High New series as well as Y-8C transport aircraft. The developement of Y-9 resumed in late 2008 after the two year delay and the first prototype is expected to fly by 2011.
http://cnair.top81.cn/Il-76_Y-8X_H-6U.htm