The Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) is showcasing its Y-20 military transport aircraft at South Africa's largest air show and the aircraft will present the audience a 12-minute flying display on Saturday and Sunday, public open days of the air show.
The Y-20 large transport aircraft made its debut at the Africa Aerospace and Defense (AAD) 2024 in Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, on Wednesday, when a three-day static display of the aircraft kicked off.
The Y-20 at the Air Force Base Waterkloof -- venue of the air show -- has grabbed the spotlight and drawn a large number of aviation enthusiasts, local residents and overseas Chinese in South Africa.
During the flying display, the Y-20 needs to complete five flight maneuvers in over ten minutes for the exhibition, including steep climbs, low-altitude high-speed approaches, and agile low-altitude turns, demonstrating the advanced capabilities of the aircraft and the skill of its crew.
The dynamic display of Y-20 is scheduled to end on Sunday, the last day of the AAD 2024.
China's Y-20 transport aircraft to present 12-minute performance at South Africa's largest air show
Chinese researchers have successfully accelerated a ton-class test vehicle to 700 kilometers per hour within two seconds on a 400-meter magnetic levitation (maglev) track using a superconducting electromagnetic propulsion system, setting a new world record.
The currently world's fastest acceleration on such a platform was followed by a safe stop, according to the research team at National University of Defense Technology, who made the breakthrough after 10 years of efforts.
The breakthrough addressed several challenges in core technologies, including ultra-high-speed electromagnetic propulsion, electric levitation guidance, transient high-power energy storage inversion, and high-field superconducting magnets.
It makes China a global leader in developing ultra-high-speed maglev systems, offers the country a new option for the future development of vacuum tube maglev transportation, as well as new approaches and new means for aerospace-assisted launch and experimental testing.
The subsequent technological iterations and industrial applications of this achievement will inject new momentum into China's aviation, aerospace and rail transit industries.
"The success of our ultra-high-speed superconducting electric maglev system will speed up the development of China's ultra-high-speed maglev transportation. Next, our team will focus on ultra-high-speed tube maglev transportation, aviation and aerospace equipment testing, electromagnetic launch, and other cutting-edge areas while promoting closer collaboration among enterprises, universities, research institutes and end-users to contribute to independent innovation in defense technology," said Li Jie, a professor at the university.
China sets new record in superconducting maglev propulsion
