PLA AEW&C, SIGINT, EW and MPA thread

[ACuriousPLAFan]

Zoomed-in on the KJ-3000.

Alongside the refueling probe placed above the cockpit, note the array of communication antennas lining the underside of the fuselage. There is also an extrusion structure at the forward root of the vertical stabilizer.

In the meantime, the tail cone section looks to be similar to other Y-20s, apart from the twin angled tail fins which are also found on all other PLA-operated AEW&C aircrafts.

Therefore, unlike the KJ-700, the presence of a large EO sensor on the KJ-3000 can be excluded.

 

[Deino]

Indeed, what a start for the weekend: The so far clearest image of the new KJ-3000 AEW.

 

[SanWenYu]

No cargo doors visible so it has the whole cargo cabinet pressurized? Wondering if PLA has something like P-8 in mind on this platform if the fully domestic version of C9x9 is still too far away.

 

[ismellcopium]

Zoomed-in on the KJ-3000.

Alongside the refueling probe placed above the cockpit, note the array of communication antennas lining the underside of the fuselage. There is also an extrusion structure at the forward root of the vertical stabilizer.

In the meantime, the tail cone section looks to be similar to other Y-20s, apart from the twin angled tail fins which are also found on all other PLA-operated AEW&C aircrafts.

Therefore, unlike the KJ-700, the presence of a large EO sensor on the KJ-3000 can be excluded.

View attachment 154927

Interesting. Perhaps they're confident in the ability of the UHF radar to detect all stealth targets within range of the EO sensor so it wouldn't add anything?

Tbh I was expecting a bit more going on in the underside & rear from all the blurring in previous photos, doesn't seem to have much to warrant it..

 

[sunnymaxi]

No cargo doors visible so it has the whole cargo cabinet pressurized? Wondering if PLA has something like P-8 in mind on this platform if the fully domestic version of C9x9 is still too far away.

there are rumors about twin Engine aircraft powered by WS-20.. but nothing is confirm so far.

WS-20/AEP-1300 Engines are now available. XAC can design P-8 equivalent but again it will costly and time taking project.

 

[SanWenYu]

there are rumors about twin Engine aircraft powered by WS-20.. but nothing is confirm so far.

WS-20/AEP-1300 Engines are now available. XAC can design P-8 equivalent but again it will costly and time taking project.

I wasn't clear. I did not mean a new twin engine body platform. I was wondering about the possibility, as a stopgap for a C9x9 variant, that new MPA/ELINT/etc. aircrafts can be built on this particular Y-20 body for higher speed, greater range and endurance than the current Y-9 bodies.

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

No cargo doors visible so it has the whole cargo cabinet pressurized? Wondering if PLA has something like P-8 in mind on this platform if the fully domestic version of C9x9 is still too far away.

I wasn't clear. I did not mean a new twin engine body platform. I was wondering about the possibility, as a stopgap for a C9x9 variant, that new MPA/ELINT/etc. aircrafts can be built on this particular Y-20 body for higher speed, greater range and endurance than the current Y-9 bodies.

The Y-20 is too large to serve as a platform for ASW aircrafts. The MTOW of the Y-20 is in similar range as the 787, and we never see militaries elsewhere basing their ASW aircrafts on such widebody platforms. This is simply because it's too big to be practical for ASW purposes, despite having even greater ranges than the 737 (of which the P-8 is based on).

Something the size of 737 would be more fitting as ASW platforms - Of which China already has the Y-9 to base on (namely the GX-15). Yes, the Y-9 is neither the most ideal nor the most optimal platform, yet it's the best available platform to China for such roles, apart from the fact where China can serial produce such aircrafts entirely on their own.

Speaking of speed - ASW aircrafts actually don't fly as fast and as high as commercial airliners when conducting ASW missions. They often fly close to the ocean surface and at moderate speeds, which, incidentally, is where turboprop engines actually excel at.

Meanwhile, range and endurance-wise - I believe the Y-9 is pretty sufficient in these regards, despite being inferior to the jet-based counterparts. Until the C919 becomes risk-free enough for military applications (which I don't see happening for the next 10 years or so), the PLAN will just have to make do with whatever they have at the moment (plus perhaps adding/retrofitting refueling probes onto them).

 

[AndrewS]

Interesting. Perhaps they're confident in the ability of the UHF radar to detect all stealth targets within range of the EO sensor so it wouldn't add anything?

Tbh I was expecting a bit more going on in the underside & rear from all the blurring in previous photos, doesn't seem to have much to warrant it..

If an opposing stealth fighter is within range of AWACs EO sensor, then the AWACs is likely already dead...

I reckon the KJ-700 EO is primarily for peacetime surveillance purposes, when there are lots of airframes and aircrews available, and who also need the monthly flying hours.

During wartime, the EO is redundant/secondary.

 

[Moonscape]

The Y-9 is honestly a solid platform for a lot of things. Turboprops are more efficient at slightly slower speeds than jet aircraft, which is actually optimal for a lot of military applications. The main downside is it takes longer to arrive on-station.

Turboprops should also be cheaper to build and maintain than turbofans, although I'm not sure about 4 vs 2.

 

[AndrewS]

Meanwhile, range and endurance-wise - I believe the Y-9 is pretty sufficient in these regards, despite being inferior to the jet-based counterparts. Until the C919 becomes risk-free enough for military applications (which I don't see happening for the next 10 years or so), the PLAN will just have to make do with whatever they have at the moment (plus perhaps adding/retrofitting refueling probes onto them).

The Y-9 already has a flight endurance of 10 hours?

So there's not really any need for inflight refueling