KJ-2000 AIRBORNE WARNING & CONTROL SYSTEM
The KongJing-2000 (KJ-2000) airborne warning and control system (AWACS) is based on the Russian-made A-50 (NATO codename: Mainstay) airframe outfitted with the Chinese-made electronically steered phased-array (ESA) radar and C3I system. At least three prototypes have been built since 2002. They are undergoing various tests at China Flight Test Establishment (CFTE) in Yanliang, Shaanxi Province and Nanjing, Jiangsu Province where the main contractor for the radar system Nanjing Research Institute of Electronic Technology (also known as 14 Institute) is based. The aircraft is expected to be ready for operational deployment by 2006~07.
PROGRAMME
China started a three-way talk with Israel and Russia, the country’s two traditional suppliers of weapon systems and technologies, in 1994 for a possible purchase of advanced AWACS aircraft. The project involved acquisition of the Russian-made Beriev A-50 Mainstay Airframe, and to fit it with the Phalcon airborne early warning (AEW) radar and associated C3I system developed by Israeli Aircraft Industries Ltd (IAI). In 1996 China, Russia, and Israel reached initial agreement on a US$250 million deal to supply one such AWACS aircraft to the PLA Air Force (PLAAF).
In May 1997, Israel and Russia reached agreement on modifying one A-50 for $250 million, with the option of three more AWACS for a total cost of $1 billion. Russia secured about 20 percent of the deal. After some delay, in October 1999, Russia transferred an A-50 airframe to Israel for the installation of the Phalcon AEW radar system. By May 2000, Israel had nearly completed work on the aircraft under the designation A-50I.
The Phalcon deal became an increasingly controversial issue between the United States and Israel. In 2000, the Clinton Administration voiced stronger objections to the sale and urged Israel to cancel the sale of the Phalcon, saying it is a system comparable to the U.S. AWACS and could collect intelligence and guide aircraft from 250 miles away. Finally, in July 2000 the Israeli government cancelled the deal with China.
China reacted to the U.S. interfering in the A-50I deal by starting a domestic programme to develop its own active phased-array radar. The radar development was carried out by Nanjing Research Institute of Electronic Technology (also known as 14 Institute) based in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. The Israeli-made Phalcon radar and other onboard electronic systems were retrieved from the unfinished A-50I, and the airframe was handed to China via Russia in 2002. Modifications on the airframe began in late 2002 to install the Chinese-made airborne radar system at Xi’an Aircraft Industry Co. (XAC). The aircraft, which was designated KJ-2000, made its first flight in November 2003.
A total of four planes (B-4040, B-4041, B-4043, and CFTE #762) have been identified so far. They have been spotted in flight and system tests at Yanliang-based CFTE and an airbase near Nanjing. The initial operational capability (IOC) may come in 2006~07.
Learn more about AWACS aircraft
Soviet/russian AWACS Aircraft: TU-126, A-50, An-71 and Ka-31
AWACS & Hawkeyes: The Complete History of Airborne Early Warning Aircraft
Revell AG Germany 1/144 Boeing E-3A Sentry AWACS
AIRCRAFT
The KJ-2000 has five flight crew and possibly 10~15 mission crew. The aircraft carries out patrol missions at an altitude of 5,000~10,000m. The maximum flight range of the aircraft is 5,000km and the flight endurance is 7 hours 40 minutes. At a range of 2,000km, the aircraft can remain on patrol for up to 1 hour 25 minutes.
The A-50 airframe, developed and manufactured by the Beriev Aircraft Research and Engineering Complex Joint Stock Company based at Taganrog in the Rostov Region of Russia, was derived from the Ilyushin IL-76 jet transport aircraft, distinguished by the large, non-rotate radome containing the phased-array radar antenna; the solid nose replacing the original ‘glass-in’ nose, and a large number of electronic system antennas on the front section of the fuselage.
RADAR
The primary radar system housed in the radome is the electronically steered phased-array (ESA) developed by Nanjing-based 14 institute. Unlike the Russian A-50 or U.S. E-3, which rotate their rotodomes to give a 360 degree coverage, the KJ-2000's radar antenna does not rotate. Instead, three ESA antenna modules are placed in a triangular configuration inside the round radome to provide a 360 degree coverage.
The Chinese-made radar system could be similar in design 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.
SPECIFICATIONS
Flight crew: 5
Mission crew: 10~15
Max take-off weight: 190,000kg
Patrol speed: 600km/h
Patrol height: 5,000~10,000m
Service ceiling: 10,200m
Ferry range: 5,000km
Endurance: 7.7 hours
The KongJing-2000 (KJ-2000) airborne warning and control system (AWACS) is based on the Russian-made A-50 (NATO codename: Mainstay) airframe outfitted with the Chinese-made electronically steered phased-array (ESA) radar and C3I system. At least three prototypes have been built since 2002. They are undergoing various tests at China Flight Test Establishment (CFTE) in Yanliang, Shaanxi Province and Nanjing, Jiangsu Province where the main contractor for the radar system Nanjing Research Institute of Electronic Technology (also known as 14 Institute) is based. The aircraft is expected to be ready for operational deployment by 2006~07.
PROGRAMME
China started a three-way talk with Israel and Russia, the country’s two traditional suppliers of weapon systems and technologies, in 1994 for a possible purchase of advanced AWACS aircraft. The project involved acquisition of the Russian-made Beriev A-50 Mainstay Airframe, and to fit it with the Phalcon airborne early warning (AEW) radar and associated C3I system developed by Israeli Aircraft Industries Ltd (IAI). In 1996 China, Russia, and Israel reached initial agreement on a US$250 million deal to supply one such AWACS aircraft to the PLA Air Force (PLAAF).
In May 1997, Israel and Russia reached agreement on modifying one A-50 for $250 million, with the option of three more AWACS for a total cost of $1 billion. Russia secured about 20 percent of the deal. After some delay, in October 1999, Russia transferred an A-50 airframe to Israel for the installation of the Phalcon AEW radar system. By May 2000, Israel had nearly completed work on the aircraft under the designation A-50I.
The Phalcon deal became an increasingly controversial issue between the United States and Israel. In 2000, the Clinton Administration voiced stronger objections to the sale and urged Israel to cancel the sale of the Phalcon, saying it is a system comparable to the U.S. AWACS and could collect intelligence and guide aircraft from 250 miles away. Finally, in July 2000 the Israeli government cancelled the deal with China.
China reacted to the U.S. interfering in the A-50I deal by starting a domestic programme to develop its own active phased-array radar. The radar development was carried out by Nanjing Research Institute of Electronic Technology (also known as 14 Institute) based in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. The Israeli-made Phalcon radar and other onboard electronic systems were retrieved from the unfinished A-50I, and the airframe was handed to China via Russia in 2002. Modifications on the airframe began in late 2002 to install the Chinese-made airborne radar system at Xi’an Aircraft Industry Co. (XAC). The aircraft, which was designated KJ-2000, made its first flight in November 2003.
A total of four planes (B-4040, B-4041, B-4043, and CFTE #762) have been identified so far. They have been spotted in flight and system tests at Yanliang-based CFTE and an airbase near Nanjing. The initial operational capability (IOC) may come in 2006~07.
Learn more about AWACS aircraft
Soviet/russian AWACS Aircraft: TU-126, A-50, An-71 and Ka-31
AWACS & Hawkeyes: The Complete History of Airborne Early Warning Aircraft
Revell AG Germany 1/144 Boeing E-3A Sentry AWACS
AIRCRAFT
The KJ-2000 has five flight crew and possibly 10~15 mission crew. The aircraft carries out patrol missions at an altitude of 5,000~10,000m. The maximum flight range of the aircraft is 5,000km and the flight endurance is 7 hours 40 minutes. At a range of 2,000km, the aircraft can remain on patrol for up to 1 hour 25 minutes.
The A-50 airframe, developed and manufactured by the Beriev Aircraft Research and Engineering Complex Joint Stock Company based at Taganrog in the Rostov Region of Russia, was derived from the Ilyushin IL-76 jet transport aircraft, distinguished by the large, non-rotate radome containing the phased-array radar antenna; the solid nose replacing the original ‘glass-in’ nose, and a large number of electronic system antennas on the front section of the fuselage.
RADAR
The primary radar system housed in the radome is the electronically steered phased-array (ESA) developed by Nanjing-based 14 institute. Unlike the Russian A-50 or U.S. E-3, which rotate their rotodomes to give a 360 degree coverage, the KJ-2000's radar antenna does not rotate. Instead, three ESA antenna modules are placed in a triangular configuration inside the round radome to provide a 360 degree coverage.
The Chinese-made radar system could be similar in design 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.
SPECIFICATIONS
Flight crew: 5
Mission crew: 10~15
Max take-off weight: 190,000kg
Patrol speed: 600km/h
Patrol height: 5,000~10,000m
Service ceiling: 10,200m
Ferry range: 5,000km
Endurance: 7.7 hours
