Did PAF pull the trigger too soon?
China's KJ-500 airborne early warning aircraft upgrade boosts detection of US F-22 and F-35 stealth fighters.
On November 4, 2024, the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) KJ-500, an airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, arrived at Zhuhai Jinwan Airport to participate in the Zhuhai Airshow 2024. Developed by Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation and based on the Y-9 airframe, the KJ-500 features a radar system capable of detecting various targets, including low radar cross-section aircraft such as the American F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters.
Equipped with a tri-array active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, the KJ-500 operates with a fixed radome, enabling full coverage without a rotating radar. (Picture source: Weibo/Hunter Chen)
The KJ-500, measuring 34 meters in length and spanning 38 meters, represents a significant advancement in China’s AEW&C systems. It is more compact than earlier models like the KJ-2000 and integrates digital phased-array radar technology, enabling continuous 360-degree surveillance coverage. Powered by four WJ-6C turboprop engines with six-blade composite propellers designed by Zhuzhou Southern Aviation Engine Company, the aircraft generates 3,800 kilowatts, supporting a maximum cruising speed of 550 kilometers per hour. With a range of 5,700 kilometers and an endurance of 12 hours, the KJ-500 extends operational reach within China’s air defense network. Its radar can track 60 to 100 targets within a 470-kilometer radius, providing capabilities suited for identifying stealth, high-speed, and maneuverable targets............
China's KJ-500 airborne early warning aircraft upgrade boosts detection of US F-22 and F-35 stealth fighters
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