China Air Force's own Y-8 ZDK-03 AEW bird

[aimarraul]

China Defense Blog: China Air Force's own Y-8 ZDK-03 AEW bird

Only days after planespotters photographed Pakistan Air Force's Y8 ZDK-03 AEW bird (serial number 11-001) at the Chengdu Airport, the China Air Force's equivalent is also spotted in Shanyang (733). It seems there is credence to the rumor that the China Air Force is interested in procuring some ZKD-03s for its own use.

 

[oct605032048]

It's efficient, affordable and sound. Why not buying it?

 

[S10]

I think this might be a temporary solution until the IL-76 deal with Russia is settled. Right now, they only have about 5 or 6 KJ-2000 in service with PLAAF due to shortage of suitable planes.

 

[SinoChallenger]

That was the plan 5 years ago. KJ-2000 is no longer cutting edge. China's best is the KJ-200 balance beam on Y-8 platform. This should be upgraded to Y-9 platform in one or two years (Y-9 already in prototype stage). The balance beams are active scanning while the rotodomes are passive.

When we get the Y-20 in service in 3 or 4 years, we would probably put a big balance beam on top of Y-20 similar to this one.

 

[Qasibr]

Not too many details out yet about the ZDK-03's specs and capabilities. Given the game-changing advances China's made in the past few years in avionics/radars/electronics(even Russians visiting CIDEX - Chinese Defence Electronics conference - admitted the Chinese have surpassed them. Link), it seems probable that this AEW platform's capabilities might surprise many out there.

 

[S10]

That was the plan 5 years ago. KJ-2000 is no longer cutting edge. China's best is the KJ-200 balance beam on Y-8 platform. This should be upgraded to Y-9 platform in one or two years (Y-9 already in prototype stage). The balance beams are active scanning while the rotodomes are passive.

When we get the Y-20 in service in 3 or 4 years, we would probably put a big balance beam on top of Y-20 similar to this one.

Balance beam has large coverage gaps, and nowhere near the raw radar output of KJ-2000.

 

[SEAL]

I heard not confirm that PLAAN is impressed with the specifications of PAF and they will induct few ZDK-03.

 

[Sin Pateh]

http://youtu.be/kQHHdaLzoSU