On September 21, 2007 during the Aviation Expo/China 2007 international airshow, Antonov ASTC from the Ukrainian side, Shaanxi Aircraft Industry (Group) Co., Ltd. (SAC) and CATIC from the Chinese side, signed the contract on cooperation on modernization of Y8F600 Chinese medium transport airplane.
According to this document, Antonov ASTC will perform a full estimation of Y8F600 airplane, its systems and give an advice on the further development and modernization. Fulfillment of these recommendations will provide compatibility for Y8F600 on the international market for the next 20 years.
“We take part in Y8 programme with the especial feeling. It is the furthest development of the AN-12, one of the most successful Antonov-designed transports. AN-12 was the basis of transport airplanes fleet of many countries of the world during a long time. Such class aircraft is required today as well. Therefore we and our colleagues are sure in the success of Y8F600 project,” commented at the conclusion of the new contract D.S.Kiva, General Designer.
Antonov ASTC takes part in Y8F600 project since 2002 when the corresponding contract with the SAC was signed. Antonov passed to Chinese airplane builders the results of strength and aerodynamics researches as well as the materials on operational processability and service life of AN-12 airplane, which became a basis for development of Y-8 airplanes family.
Models of Y8F600 were made and tested in the wind tunnel of ASTC. The results of these and other researches were passed to the Chinese party.
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Antonov and Chinese Enterprises Start Working on Y8F600 Modernization
