PLA AEW&C, SIGINT, EW and MPA thread

[Deino]

Four in operation.

KJ-200 are more: we have confirmed serials 30171, 30173-30176 = 5 within the PLAAF and 9371, 9391, 9401, 9411, 9421 = also 5 for the PLANAF (but 9381 highly likely and I think we also have an image showing 6 in a row !)

For the KJ-2000 there are only 4 (30071-30074) !

 

[Blitzo]

Ah, I misread an extra 0.

Yes, 11 total for KJ-200 sounds right.

 

[Dizasta1]

Is PLAAF considering more of the KJ-2000 AWACS? Perhaps on a different platform, maybe the Y-20?

Cuz to be honest, 4 KJ-2000s and 11 KJ-200 doesn't cut it for a country the size of China. They need at least 30-40 AWACS with a combination of medium range to long range ones.

 

[Blitzo]

They're building more KJ-500s based on the Y-9 airframe, I wouldn't be surprised if they produce another ten or more KJ-500s.

And I can expect a meaningful number of AEWC based on Y-20 eventually as well. But I think the Y-9 platform is acceptable to PLA as an AEWC carrier, so it might take a while for a Y-20 AEWC to emerge. I suspect it isn't very high on the list of priorities.

But I agree that the PLA overall should have 30-40 AEWC. Large ones like KJ-2000, medium platforms like KJ-200/500, but also a meaningful number of Y-7AEWC once it enters production.

Maybe something like 10 KJ-2000 class, 20 KJ-200/500 class, and another 20+ Y-7AEWC for carrier use as well as land based use as a lower maintenance, more flexible, "tactical" AEWC.

 

[delft]

It seems to me that military transport aircraft are more heavily built than necessary for AEWC aircraft. The first large radar aircraft were based on Lockheed Constellation, Tu-114 and Boeing 707 passenger aircraft. By the time Y-20 will be available for this function China might well choose the smaller C-919 or even the next passenger aircraft. After all the need need for Y-20's in the transport role is likely to preclude use for other purposes for many years of production.

 

[Deino]

via "RAJ47" (CDF)

Even more ... and now there are even three KJ-500 standing around at the Shaanxi (SAC) facility in Hanzhong ... and one is already painted.

 

[tphuang]

Even more ... and now there are even three KJ-500 standing around at the Shaanxi (SAC) facility in Hanzhong ... and one is already painted.

Quite interesting. Looks like we might have the one first regiment established next year.

 

[asif iqbal]

Even more ... and now there are even three KJ-500 standing around at the Shaanxi (SAC) facility in Hanzhong ... and one is already painted.

Ok here is my take

Two yellow units either end Y-9 AWACS

The yellow unit next to the yellow AWACS also a Y-9/Y-8 category III unit most likely a Y-9 transport

The two white units in the centreline between the yellow aircrafts are at Y-8 aircraft

Two units on the top left in parallel seem like Y-9 units

Last row of 3 in parallel look to be Y-8 with the last one a Y-9

So out of the 10 aircraft I would say

2 x KJ-200 AWACS
4 x Y-8/9 transport
4 x Y-8 variants

What I would do for a clear shot from the ground there's more than what meets the eye

Looks like it's a similar inventory from what we saw from A.Mans post #2201 in the China's transport thread but they have shuffled the aircraft units around but either way we are looking at a good number of decent aircraft here

 

[Blitzo]

Ok here is my take

Two yellow units either end Y-9 AWACS

The yellow unit next to the yellow AWACS also a Y-9/Y-8 category III unit most likely a Y-9 transport

The two white units in the centreline between the yellow aircrafts are at Y-8 aircraft

Two units on the top left in parallel seem like Y-9 units

Last row of 3 in parallel look to be Y-8 with the last one a Y-9

So out of the 10 aircraft I would say

2 x KJ-200 AWACS
4 x Y-8/9 transport
4 x Y-8 variants

What I would do for a clear shot from the ground there's more than what meets the eye

Looks like it's a similar inventory from what we saw from A.Mans post #2201 in the China's transport thread but they have shuffled the aircraft units around but either way we are looking at a good number of decent aircraft here

You mean KJ-500, not KJ-200 I presume?

It's difficult to tell standard Y-8/9 transports from most special mission variants via blurry satellite photos.

I would say though, if all of these airframes are new build, then at least it is a relatively decent production rate, although it would be nice if they can reach lockmart peak levels of 30 deliveries per year eventually.

 

[FORBIN]

After tested in Flight Test & Training Center or yet ? what crew size ? a good radar electronic it's one thing, but the number of operators determines the capacity.