New sighting of KJ-3000?
PLA AEW&C, SIGINT, EW and MPA thread
- Thread starter Sczepan
- Start date
Looks to be the 2nd prototype (#7822).
It could be inferred that the testing and evaluation flights for the KJ-20/3000 are being conducted pretty frequently/at high intensity.
I think we should be expecting the first 1 or 2 to enter service around the end of next year (in a test and training brigade). Give or take a few months.
The development timeline for an AEW&Cs — built atop a proven airframe; an advanced radar technology complex; a large (and growing) production capacity; and robust supply chain — is bound to be on the faster side of “PLA watching projects”.
IF, those rumours of PLAAF pursuing a C-5M / AN-124 sized transport turn out to be true, would there be any value or utility in building an even bigger AEW&Cs come the late 2030s or early 40s?
But for what purpose? Once it gets beyond a certain size, scaling up more just isn't worth it anymore. Also despite people laughing at US's space based AMTI platforms, it probably is the general future direction with large distributed sensor network (inc. space based, drones and manned AEWCs etc) routed through command platforms to forward assets which could be replaced by a fully distributed system in the far future once on satellite processing and other technology advance enough.
There's certainly more size/power to exploit in radar than what available platforms can provide. B-747 and An-124 were seriously considered for AWACS in the past.
AMTI for now is entirely different approach - take into account available power, range and aspect. Furthermore, orbital mechanics ensure GMTI/AMTI is a highly vulnerable approach - the moment opponent decides it's worth it, it can be removed in one tap, effectively...
E-2D is not in the same league as KJ-500.
