PLA AEW&C, SIGINT, EW and MPA thread

delft

Brigadier
I'm surprised by countries using transport aircraft as the basis for radar aircraft. An aircraft shaped like the old Avro Vulcan could carry much larger radar antennae without the drag of the external radomes. As the antennae are larger the wavelengths can be larger too for the same precision thus damaging the prospects of stealth aircraft.
 

Deino

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The problem is simply that besides once GB no other country ever had an aircraft similar to the Vulcan. I agree that four separate radars arranges in that huge tail sting, the bulbous front nose as well and the wings would be possible - esp. if recent AESA arrays would be used ... but when the Vulcan was active, this technology was not ready and now the Vulcan is dead ... and I can't think of any other country - esp. right now - developing a Vulcan-like aircraft only to be used as an AEW/C type.

Deino
 

delft

Brigadier
The problem is simply that besides once GB no other country ever had an aircraft similar to the Vulcan. I agree that four separate radars arranges in that huge tail sting, the bulbous front nose as well and the wings would be possible - esp. if recent AESA arrays would be used ... but when the Vulcan was active, this technology was not ready and now the Vulcan is dead ... and I can't think of any other country - esp. right now - developing a Vulcan-like aircraft only to be used as an AEW/C type.

Deino
A major advantage of this configuration is that there are few highly stressed parts and that the shape is relatively simple. So structural and aerodynamic design will be easy and cheap. By using mostly fibre reinforced plastic and using a large 3D printer to produce the molds ( remember that even houses are now printed :) ) production too can be cheap.
Btw I was thinking of radar arrays in the wing leading edges and an array in or below the trailing edge. These arrays will have a linear dimension of about twenty meters.
 

Deino

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Yes ... but I don't think that anyone will ever again develop such a sophisticated aircraft only because of the ideal radar-installation ... it's simply too costly !
 

delft

Brigadier
Yes ... but I don't think that anyone will ever again develop such a sophisticated aircraft only because of the ideal radar-installation ... it's simply too costly !
Radar aircraft are expensive. They need an expensively trained crew using expensive equipment. The plane itself, whether based on an existing transport plane or on a new relatively simple plane designed for purpose, is only a small part of the cost. If it gives you a higher flying plane that is able to recognize stealth aircraft at a greater distance .....
 

asif iqbal

Lieutenant General
Wow wow wow ;):)

30471

b6bbc941f34083c8dcd7cc92c68ec6de_zps5962c780.jpg
 

Deino

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Finally a serial !!!
 

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asif iqbal

Lieutenant General
Yes indicating the 24th specialised division which is home to KJ-2000 and KJ-200

Now I want to see all three aircraft in a single shot !
 
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