PLA AEW&C, SIGINT, EW and MPA thread

[Deino]

My point is that it is no where close enough to tell whether the object on the spine is the base of radar dome or a new device altogether.

Agreed, but IMO anything but a second KJ-3000 would have been mentioned in the usual circles and this one appeared in June and in early August reportedly the second KJ-3000 made its maiden flight.

That is surely not a proof, but IMO at least a clear hint.

 

[siegecrossbow]

Anyone wants to do the math on the radius of the disk???

 

[mack8]

Holy molly, China has flying saucers now!

 

[Totoro]

Isn't there a satellite pic on Huitong's blog? Diameter can be measured there much more easily.

 

[Stealthflanker]

There is also guesstimates people can use. AEW rotodome is typically 20-30% of Wingspan, with thickness or maximum thickness is 20% of the diameter. The source is "Airborne Early Warning System Concepts" by William Andersen publishing.

Thus say, a KJ-3000's "saucer" can have diameter of 10-15 meters and thickness of 2-3 meter.
One can then check Satellite photo. That rules of thumb works well i think, KJ-2000 for example have ratio of 22% for wingspan to rotodome diameter.

 

[00CuriousObserver]

This reminds me, Hole Hole the Chengdu/Hainan Gay Guy hinted that the actual name for KJ-3000 is actually KJ-20

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[Syrida2887]

The second KJ-3000 prototype,number 7822