China Deploy's AWACS

www.sinodefence.com...

The Chinese AWACS has a unique phased array radar (PAR) carried in a round radome. Unlike the U.S. AWACS aircraft, which rotate their rotodomes to give a 360 degree coverage, the radar antenna of the Chinese AWACS does not rotate. Instead, three PAR antenna modules are placed in a triangular configuration inside the round radome to provide a 360 degree coverage.

The Chinese-made airborne earning warning radar system could be similar in capability to the IAI Phalcon, but may not be as capable as the latter. The Phalcon system could track up to 60~100 targets at the same time and guide a dozen fighters in all-weather, day and night operations.

The photos of the KJ-2000 indicate that the aircraft has an aerial refuelling probe in its nose. If the aircraft can be refuelled by the Russian-made IL-78 Midas tanker, its flight endurance and effectiveness could be further increased.

Looks promising... apparently built with fully indiginous technology after Isreal and Russia backed out


[edit on 20-11-2004 by Lucretius]

How would one compare it to the Phalcon AWACS acquired by the IAF from the IAF(Israel)?

AWACS are an essential part of modern air warfare


China needs to deploy many more of these in order to manage its increasingly numerous fighter forces.

Well,it is a step forward for the PLAAF to compete with the world's airforces.

Isn't that just a takeoff of the Russian Il-76 Mainstay AWACs?

Originally posted by soulforge
Isn't that just a takeoff of the Russian Il-76 Mainstay AWACs?

The airframe looks identical, and the Mainstay/Candid was fitted with a phased array in the late 80's.

IL-76 link

If the PLAAF is fielding large numbers of these, it would be a great force-booster. The extreme length of the Chicom border would require many platforms just to cover it all.

Wonder what it looks like with 6 AMRAAMS up it's tailpipe..