D
Air ForcesChina

Y-8E

Unmanned aerial vehicle launch and control aircraftFielded 1988Pending verification
Air ForcesCHN
Length 34.02 m
Identification silhouette. Not drawn to scale between entries.
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeUnmanned aerial vehicle launch and control aircraft
Date of introduction1988
ProliferationAt least 8 countries
ManufacturerShaanxi Aircraft CorporationMed[1]
Crew6Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Length34.02 m112 ftMed[1]
Height11.16 m37 ftMed[1]
Wingspan38 m125 ftMed[1]
Wing area121.86 sq mMed[1]
Empty weight35,500 kg78,264 lbMed[1]
Max takeoff weight61,000 kg134,482 lbMed[1]
Flight performance
Engine4 x Wojiang-6 turbopropMed[1]
Thrust / power4,250 equivalent hp eachMed[1]
Range5,615 km3,489 mi · 3,032 nmiMed[1]
Speed662 km/h411 mph · 357 ktMed[1]
Service ceiling10,400 m34,121 ftMed[1]
Rate of climb600 m/minMed[1]
Endurance10.5 hoursMed[1]
Variants
NoteY-8 This was the original version. It was little different from the An-12 with a slightly modified glass nose copied from the design of the H-6 bomber. The cargo hold was not pressurized.[1]
Summary

Y-8E This version is used for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launch and control. Development began in October 1988 and the first prototype was completed in March 1990.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
ChinaKazakhstanSri LankaMyanmarPakistanSudanTanzaniaVenezuela
Sources
  1. Y-8E Chinese Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Launch and Control Aircraft, U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-10 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import