YY-20 during Airshow China, in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province. Photo by Deng Hua, 08NOV2022.

I have heard many people say the Y-20 is China’s version of the U.S. Boeing C-17, but if you look at the main wing and nacelles, from above, it is clear it is a development of the old Cold War era Soviet Ilyushin 76.

Two Russian IL-76 transports on McChord Air Force Base, Washington. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Steve Thurow, 01NOV1995.

Model kit builders: Just take the the Il-76 and stick a C-17 tail on, then get rid of the glass nose.

YY-20 during Airshow China, in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province. Photo via Xinhua, 08NOV2022.

Some Chinese news releases are referring to the YY-20 as the YU-20.  In this excerpted air show video, released on 09NOV2022, notice that it starts with a graphic calling the tanker a YU-20:

YY-20 during Airshow China, in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province. Photo via Xinhua, 08NOV2022.

On 01AUG2022, the People’s Liberation Army(PLA)-Air Force announced the successful completion of YY-20 training, which just happened to take place near Taiwan. PLA-AF promotional video:

Also in August, the YY-20 was first used operationally to refuel aircraft taking part in a blockade of Taiwan.  I excerpted this video from a PLA Eastern Theater Command report dated 11AUG2022:

PLA Air Force promotional video released on 30AUG2022:

World War 3 Vehicle I-D:   CHINA MAKES SURPRISE(?) DELIVERY OF MILITARY AID TO RUSSIAN ALLY, USING NEW Y-20!

Labor Shortage: CHINA TURNS TO ROBOTS & DRONES TO SUPPLY ITS MILITARY!