Development of the Y-9 may have begun as early as 2002 as the Y-8X program. The program was a collaborative effort with Antonov – the designers of the An-12 that it was ultimately derived from – and was aimed at competing with the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules. By September 2005, the Y-9 designation was being used.[4] The Y-9 received design features originally intended for the Y-8F600,[4] which was cancelled in 2008.[5]
Shaanxi had hoped to conduct the first flight as early as 2006, but it was delayed. Design changes were made in 2006,[3] with the design being frozen by January 2010. After the design freeze, it was suggested that the first flight would depend on securing a launch customer; construction had also not yet commenced.[5] The aircraft finally flew in November 2010.[6]
The Y-9 is powered by four WoJiang WJ-6C turboprop engines. The propellers are six-bladed and made with Chinese JL-4 composites, and closely resemble the Dowty R406. The WJ-6C is replaced by the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW150B in the Y-9E export variant.[4]
The cruise speed is Script error: No such module "convert". with an endurance of around 10.5 hours.[7]
Cargo capacity
The cargo bay has an internal volume of 155 m3 and is fitted with cargo handling rollers and tie-down rings. The rear entrance to the cargo bay also functions as a ramp.[1][8]
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