US Media: The C-Position in the Air Force Formation at the Parade is Not J-20S or J-35

China held a military parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, showcasing various types of current air force equipment, including the J-20, J-35, H-6N, and Y-20 refueling aircraft.

The one that especially caught the attention of US media was not the new fifth-generation fighter jet, but the Y-20 refueling aircraft (YY-20), which can refuel multiple types of fighter jets. It was directly stated that this is the C-position of the air force formation this time.

The article pointed out that although the J-20S and J-35 are the most advanced fifth-generation fighter jets, what truly reflects China's strategic transformation of its air force is this large-sized, not particularly novel refueling aircraft, because its existence means that the Chinese air force is no longer restricted by base reliance and has the capability for sustained operations over long distances and across island chains.

The reason why the appearance of YY-20 has attracted attention from US media is that it fills a long-standing gap in the Chinese air force's long arm capabilities.

In the past, China had stealth fighters and bombers, but due to insufficient aerial refueling systems, the operational range and sustained flight capability were significantly reduced.

YY-20, as an aerial refueling aircraft modified from the Y-20 transport plane platform, began entering practical combat training at the end of 2022, and within just a few years, it has formed a relatively complete formation capability.

In this parade, it was arranged in the central formation, highlighting its core position in the actual combat system.

YY-20's strength lies in its service to a highly integrated and continuously improving domestic combat system — it can simultaneously refuel multiple types of domestic aircraft such as the J-20, J-16, J-10C, H-6N, and KJ-500, and has already provided support to foreign military MiG-29M aircraft in joint exercises between China and Egypt.

This platform compatibility and system integration reflect the unified interface and unified logistics combat logic that the Chinese air force is striving to shape. Especially when conducting air power operations between the first and second island chains, the presence of YY-20 directly affects the calculation method of the cruising radius and sustained combat capability.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1842305685545984/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.