A license copy of the Antonov An-12 “Cub”, the Y-8 is used for many roles in Chinese service. Production started in the late 1960s and continues today; more than 125 have now been built plus additional examples for export and civilian (Y-8B & Y-8F100) use. The original design had a twin NR-23 gun in a manned tail turret; this is not included on the civilian versions, the specialized versions described below, nor recent examples of the military cargo version.

The Communications, Command, Control and Intelligence C3I Y-8 has a greatly improved Y-8C airframe: a thinner and longer fuselage, sealed cargo door, a large satellite antenna on the back, some blade antennae for electronic intelligence reconnaissance. The C3I Y-8 probably completed its trial flight test in July or October 2004.

Original Author: Jason W. Henson, http://www.globalsecurity.org/