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.

Specialized electronic warfare variant with powerful jammers, ECM equipment, and ELINT gear reverse-engineered from the US Navy EP-3 Aires which made a forced landing on Hainan island in the spring of 2001. The numerous fairings in the rudder root, wingtips, belly, nose, and former tail turret give it a distinct appearance. To date, only one example has been built, entering service in 2005.

Original Author: Jason W. Henson