It's quite a mess, the current turboprop in use is some sort of WJ6X which is an incremental improvement to the relatively well-known WJ6C. For next generation engine, both code-named AEP400 and AEP500 at slightly more than 4000KW and 5000KW respectively has completed most of the development and test cycle, and has huge improvements in power generation, fuel efficiency and other stats. Future KJ600 probably will use AEP400 while Y15 will use AEP500 because of different thrust requirements. Not even very sure about which WJ10 is referring to.
Chinese Engine Development
- Thread starter jackbh
- Start date
AECC's AGT-7, AGT-15 & AGT-110 have completed China's national energy bureau GT's evaluation & acceptance. AGT-7 has accumulated over 25000 hr, AGT-15 > 6300 hr & AGT-110 > 8400 hr. First 2 are used for various offshore applications. The latter is China's largest domestic developed GT right now.
antiterror13
Brigadier
Do you think China would consider to develop a new AWACS class based on Y-15 with AEP500? Similar to KJ-3000 based on Y-20
I think it is logical to me as Y-15 with AEP500 is superior to every metric than Y-9 (KJ-500/700) with old engine WJ‑6C
Why? Turboprops are too slow anyways and is designed with different philosophy. AEWC's mission is more in line with passenger jets which is why every country who could use a airliner used a airliner instead of a transport despite having access to both.
antiterror13
Brigadier
yes, true. But China already have turbofan AWACS KJ-2000 and KJ-3000 very soon
Turboprop is slower but not too slow for First Island Chain, in fact likely a good thing
* Turboprops are far more fuel‑efficient at AEW altitudes, A turboprop burns 30–50% less fuel than a jet at these altitudes
* Turboprops can stay in the air much longer
* They are dramatically cheaper to operate
* Turboprops can operate from shorter runways
* Lower speed = better radar stability
* Turboprops are perfect for “medium AEW” roles
* Turboprops are quieter and cooler (IR signature)
JASDF continues to operate both E-767 and E-3D.
You meant E-2C/D, not E-3.
The much longer air time advantage is basically gone as you'll take much longer to get to where ever your patrol area is, not to mention more time wasted means the more crew you need as they'll be exhausted before you even get there.
I'm not sure why slightly lower IR signature even matters when you are a huge transport with a big radar sticking out of it
Better radar stability because of lower speed is one I've literally never heard off as most AEWC aircraft are jet powered and are perfectly fine, can you provide some source for this?
For AEW, you'd typically want to be as high as possible (turboprop lose power and efficiency at high altitude) for a bigger radar horizon unlike ASW where you actually need to be at a very low altitude and where using a turboprop actually makes more sense than a jet.
I don't think a quad turboprop is any cheaper than a jet considering you now have 4 engines to take care of which can be very expensive and probably outweigh the fuel saving. Also a big chunk of cost goes to the maintenance and upgrade of the electronics onboard which exists no matter the platform.
A good chunk of all those advantages you mentioned either doesn't apply or is outweighed by disadvantages. Let's be real the only reason China is using transports for its special mission aircraft is because China has near 0 commercial aviation industry before. There is also a good reason why even European countries with tactical requirements still choose large business jets as the base platform rather than tactical transports.
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antiterror13
Brigadier
you meant Saab 340 and Saab 2000 Erieye ? Sweden have access to commercial aviation industry and chose turboprop
I believe China should have turboprop AWACS (which have massively with KJ-500/600 and 700) and also big boy turbofan version KJ-2000 and KJ-3000. I was thinking whether to have better turboprop AWACS based on Y-15, I think it's logical
Turboprop and turbofan AWACS are a compliment each other, each are excellent for specific roles
I believe China should have turboprop AWACS (which have massively with KJ-500/600 and 700) and also big boy turbofan version KJ-2000 and KJ-3000. I was thinking whether to have better turboprop AWACS based on Y-15, I think it's logical
Turboprop and turbofan AWACS are a compliment each other, each are excellent for specific roles
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And they stopped building that in 1999 after just 5 years from prototype and instead choose to build the R-99 based on the ERJ-145 regional jets and now are moving on to the larger GlobalEye based on Global 6000. It really is more of an outlier than the norm.