Chinese AEW ISR and Special Mission Aircraft

[RajaBaja]

1. KJ-600 – carrier-borne AEW&C aircraft

• Platform: twin-turboprop, high-wing, intended for catapult launch from China’s Type-003 carrier Fujian.

• Radar system: a single rotating AESA array housed in the dorsal rotodome. The antenna rotates at ≈ 6 rpm, sweeping a 120°-sector electronically while the mechanical rotation provides full 360° coverage .

Therefore, the KJ-600 does not use three fixed faces; it relies on a rotating AESA for all-round surveillance.

2. KJ-500 – land-based AEW&C aircraft

• Platform: Shaanxi Y-9 four-turboprop airframe.

• Radar system: three fixed AESA arrays mounted inside a triangular radome, each covering 120°. The arrays operate simultaneously, giving instantaneous 360° coverage without any moving parts .

Is KJ-700 and KJ-3000 fixed or rotating also? I had heard that China wanted to go back to rotating plates vs. fixed 3 AESA's?

 

[FuturePAF]

Is KJ-700 and KJ-3000 fixed or rotating also? I had heard that China wanted to go back to rotating plates vs. fixed 3 AESA's?

The KJ-3000 has two rotating plates, so it can fit longer arrays.

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[Deino]

If the photos are this clear the program must be basically fully operational.

No, clearly not … they are in service for sure, but to have reached FOC they are not long enough availabale even more so how could they be FOC when the Fujian isn‘t ready yet?

 

[Ali_Baba]

China needs to have a jet-based aew & other special mission planes.

The Y9 platform seems a bit dated and a maintenance hog(from comments made about Pakistan ZDK-03 experience).

Maybe China can start to leverage some of her new civilian jets as dual use platforms for hosting large EW platforms like AEW&C/SOJ etc. It will be platforms that can offer lower running costs, and better maintenance cycles for operational duty cycles.

 

[RajaBaja]

The KJ-3000 has two rotating plates, so it can fit longer arrays.

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Thanks, I knew KJ-500 was 3 fixed arrays in radome. Any ideas why China went from less complex, highly capable fixed 3 arrays to rotating one's in KJ-3000?

Rotational radome uses good amount of power and a rotational apparatus, a mechanical solution to allow for the rotation. So I'd like to find out the operational reasons.

 

[FuturePAF]

No, clearly not … they are in service for sure, but to have reached FOC they are not long enough availabale even more so how could they be FOC when the Fujian isn‘t ready yet?

I was referring to the KJ-600 being ready, at least the airframe, hence its very public revelation. The Fujian is being put through its paces, otherwise we would have seen footage of flight ops from the ship.

 

[FuturePAF]

Thanks, I knew KJ-500 was 3 fixed arrays in radome. Any ideas why China went from less complex, highly capable fixed 3 arrays to rotating one's in KJ-3000?

Rotational radome uses good amount of power and a rotational apparatus, a mechanical solution to allow for the rotation. So I'd like to find out the operational reasons.

As the video points out the refresh rate is nearly the same as fixed arrays 5 seconds versus 3-4 seconds for the fixed arrays. Also the video says larger radar can better pick up stealth aircraft.

 

[RajaBaja]

As the video points out the refresh rate is nearly the same as fixed arrays 5 seconds versus 3-4 seconds for the fixed arrays. Also the video says larger radar can better pick up stealth aircraft.

Yes, I saw the video. It's made by a Russian "youtuber" . I'd rather hear it from the Chinese experts than a Russian youtuber.

My question is more focused on the engineering and capability side of it. When you see a rotodome AWACS from the inside, to host and run a rotodome operation, there is a full mechanical setup that has to be installed to run and manage the rotation and it consumed a lot of power leaving less for sensors.

The beauty of fixed 3 arrays is that it doesn't need a mechanical setup, saves space, electricity and is more efficient. So when the world is getting away from rotating radomes, why are the Chinese going back to it? When they had previously installed 3 arrays?

 

[Michael]

The Y9 platform seems a bit dated and a maintenance hog(from comments made about Pakistan ZDK-03 experience).

The ZDK-03 AEW&C uses the Y-8 transport platform, not the Y-9.
More accurately, it's the Y-8F transport platform. It's an improved, airtight version of the Y-8.
The Y-9 transport aircraft is similar in appearance to the Y-8, but its internal structure is completely different.

Maybe China can start to leverage some of her new civilian jets as dual use platforms for hosting large EW platforms like AEW&C/SOJ etc. It will be platforms that can offer lower running costs, and better maintenance cycles for operational duty cycles.

The current Y-9 transport aircraft platform fully meets the PLA's needs.

China is unlikely to introduce new turboprop-powered medium-sized tactical transport aircraft. Currently, various Chinese special tactical aircraft utilize this platform, and in the future, China will shift significantly to unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms. Therefore, the Y-9 may be the final generation.

Of course, China will continue to make various in-depth improvements to the Y-9. The Y-9 will remain in service with the PLA for a long time.

As for turbofan-powered medium-sized tactical transport aircraft platforms, we currently lack suitable options.

The XAC's current core mission is to quickly develop a large strategic bomber (the H-20 project) and a large strategic transport aircraft (similar to the C-5/An-124). The Y-9 fully meets the PLA's current needs, and there's no need for them to invest too much effort in this area for now.

 

[FuturePAF]

Yes, I saw the video. It's made by a Russian "youtuber" . I'd rather hear it from the Chinese experts than a Russian youtuber.

My question is more focused on the engineering and capability side of it. When you see a rotodome AWACS from the inside, to host and run a rotodome operation, there is a full mechanical setup that has to be installed to run and manage the rotation and it consumed a lot of power leaving less for sensors.

The beauty of fixed 3 arrays is that it doesn't need a mechanical setup, saves space, electricity and is more efficient. So when the world is getting away from rotating radomes, why are the Chinese going back to it? When they had previously installed 3 arrays?

The large Y-20B should have more than enough electrical power. It must have been taken into account at the design stage.

 

[RajaBaja]

The large Y-20B should have more than enough electrical power. It must have been taken into account at the design stage.

That's fine. But that doesn't answer my question. I wanted technical, capability details on WHY the Chinese are going back to older technology / process when the world is moving away from rotational rotodome to a fixed 3 planner AESA design, that are easy to manage, cover longer ranges and less complex for maintenance, give more space inside the aircraft, etc.

 

[FHN]

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Illustrated Explanation: Why U.S. Radar Technology Lags Behind China in Multiple Metrics

Detection Range and Frequency Band Coverage

Chinese GaN radars, such as those equipped on the J-16, are said to detect large targets at 440 km and provide early warning up to 600 km, demonstrating a technological breakthrough in medium-to-long-range detection.

The new-generation KJ-3000 airborne early warning aircraft has a detection range of approximately 600–1000 km and can simultaneously track about 100 targets.

Anti-stealth radars like the YLC-2E have moved beyond traditional meter-wave reliance, promising higher precision in anti-stealth capabilities.

Power Amplifiers and Semiconductor Advantages

China has mastered GaN material manufacturing technology, with unit power output reaching 10 times that of GaAs materials, improving radar power and detection range by 77%.

Research teams have also developed China’s most powerful radar chip, with a peak output of 2.4 kW in the X-band, achieving industry-leading standards.

Multi-Target Tracking and Anti-Jamming Capabilities

The J-20 radar system is equipped with potentially over 2000 T/R modules, surpassing the U.S. APG-77/81 systems in tracking quantity and precision.

The KJ-3000 airborne radar can simultaneously track 100 targets.

Systems like the YLC-12 and JY-27A possess strong intelligent anti-jamming capabilities, suitable for complex electromagnetic environments.

System Integration and Field Adaptability

China has showcased over 100 types of advanced radar systems, including long-term surveillance systems capable of unmanned operation in environments such as plateaus, deserts, and islands.

Reasons Why China Leads the U.S. in “Detection Range, Target Tracking, Multi-Target Processing, Hardware Power, and Integration Flexibility”: China’s breakthroughs in GaN materials, a fully independent industrial system, rapid real-world validation, and optimized designs for specific strategic needs have given it a significant advantage over the U.S. radar systems in certain key performance areas.

 

[Ak01]

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Illustrated Explanation: Why U.S. Radar Technology Lags Behind China in Multiple Metrics

Detection Range and Frequency Band Coverage

Chinese GaN radars, such as those equipped on the J-16, are said to detect large targets at 440 km and provide early warning up to 600 km, demonstrating a technological breakthrough in medium-to-long-range detection.

The new-generation KJ-3000 airborne early warning aircraft has a detection range of approximately 600–1000 km and can simultaneously track about 100 targets.

Anti-stealth radars like the YLC-2E have moved beyond traditional meter-wave reliance, promising higher precision in anti-stealth capabilities.

Power Amplifiers and Semiconductor Advantages

China has mastered GaN material manufacturing technology, with unit power output reaching 10 times that of GaAs materials, improving radar power and detection range by 77%.

Research teams have also developed China’s most powerful radar chip, with a peak output of 2.4 kW in the X-band, achieving industry-leading standards.

Multi-Target Tracking and Anti-Jamming Capabilities

The J-20 radar system is equipped with potentially over 2000 T/R modules, surpassing the U.S. APG-77/81 systems in tracking quantity and precision.

The KJ-3000 airborne radar can simultaneously track 100 targets.

Systems like the YLC-12 and JY-27A possess strong intelligent anti-jamming capabilities, suitable for complex electromagnetic environments.

System Integration and Field Adaptability

China has showcased over 100 types of advanced radar systems, including long-term surveillance systems capable of unmanned operation in environments such as plateaus, deserts, and islands.

Reasons Why China Leads the U.S. in “Detection Range, Target Tracking, Multi-Target Processing, Hardware Power, and Integration Flexibility”: China’s breakthroughs in GaN materials, a fully independent industrial system, rapid real-world validation, and optimized designs for specific strategic needs have given it a significant advantage over the U.S. radar systems in certain key performance areas.

chinese are the indians of oriental asia

 

[enroger]

Thanks, I knew KJ-500 was 3 fixed arrays in radome. Any ideas why China went from less complex, highly capable fixed 3 arrays to rotating one's in KJ-3000?

Rotational radome uses good amount of power and a rotational apparatus, a mechanical solution to allow for the rotation. So I'd like to find out the operational reasons.

I guess they want an even larger aperture.

Unlike older generation rotating radome, AESA radome does not need to rotate constantly to provide beam sweep. AESA rotating radome only need to rotate to orient it's aperture to face primary threat.

Instead of thinking it as rotating radome of old, think of it more like a balance beam radar that can rotate on it's own without having the plane change attitude.

It also reduce three array to two array, potentially reduced weight and power requirements while increasing the aperture of the system.

 

[FHN]

chinese are the indians of oriental asia

Well then what is pakistani? The zimbabwe of south asia? Lol give me a break kid. Without china, you are nothing so be grateful. Even jf-17 is fully developed by china we just hand it to you on a silver platter. Your name doesnt sound very pakistani to me, you must be a mixed hybrid turk whos still mad at the fact that xinjiang is now and forever belongs to china.