A heavyweight newcomer

A monster transporter plane was unveiled at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition. The Y-20 Kunpeng, a four-turbofan strategic airlifter made by the Aviation Industry Corp of China, is set to go on the market, although the People's Liberation Army will be supplied before other customers.

Geng Ruguang, deputy general manager at AVIC, said that development work and tests on the Y-20 have been satisfactory, and added that the huge transporter plane will be available to customers soon. However, Geng declined to say if the company has received any orders from foreign buyers.

Tang Jun, chairman of Xi'an Aircraft Industry, the AVIC subsidiary that's developing the Y-20, was more forthright. "We will develop a number of variations of the Y-20, and we are definitely going to export them," he said. "But the final decision will be up to the related governments and military authorities."