China rolls out AWACS aircrafts for Pakistan Air Force

[Manticore]

RATIONALE OF BUYING ZDK-03 OVER KJ-200 ?

On the issue of inferiority vs the KJ-200
[ZDK-03, conventional rotadome doppler radar, not the more modern advanced AESA types]

SPECULATIONS;

After some negotiations a much improved design has been under development based on PAF's specifications -- The variant is now dubbed ZDK-03 and is based on the new Y-8 Category III Platform featuring 6-blade propellers.

At a cost of $278 for 4 aircraft, ie $70million for each ZDK-03, it represents fantastic value for money--alongwith tot

ZDK-03 was a redunancy for eyree

Chinese were not willing to export the KJ-200

using IL-78 meant heavy maintenance which kept PAF away from IL-78 and more interested in turboprop platform

 

[Arsalan]

ISLAMABAD, Nov 13: The first Chinese aircraft equipped with an early warning system, known as the [B][U]Karakoram Eagle[/U][/B], was inducted into Pakistan Air Force fleet on Saturday. The ZDK-03 is an advanced Airborne Warning and Control System with sophisticated integrated sensors and communications suite. The PAF had signed a contract in 2008 with CETC of China for the joint development of 04 ZDK-03 AWACS aircraft configured to Pakistan Air Force specifications. According to a communication received here from China through the media office of PAF headquarters, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman was the chief guest at the roll-out ceremony for the aircraft held in Hanzhong, China.
[IMG]http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv14/SalmanHaider09/ShaanxiZDK-03AEWC.jpg

the video link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plNYSaC5Avc

regards!

 

[farhan_9909]

SO the ZDK-03 is nt AESA bt a normal one?

 

[air marshal]

 

[S.U.R.B.]

SO the ZDK-03 is nt AESA bt a normal one?

Looks like a rotating pulse Doppler.

 

[unicorn148]

yes but its said that its range is greater than Saab Erieye

 

[Safriz]

If Pakistan and china join hands ..They may look into development of high altitude unmanned Radar stations...I dont know if any such thing exists..But if these are mounted on Zeppelin style airships..Will have less moving parts..Low maintainence and will be out of reach of most Air defence missiles...Plus the added bonus of being able to remain airborne for weeks or may be months..Can even be a replacement for satellites..

 

[indian navy]

Looks like a rotating pulse Doppler.

yes it look like but sorry it is not

 

[Arsalan]

the carrier aircraft for this AEW&C, the Karakoram Eagle is the Y-8F600 turboprop aircraft.
this is the latest of development variant of the Y-8 transport aircraft of China:

Y-8F600
The Y-8F600 is the latest development variant of the Y-8. The aircraft was developed under the assistance of Ukraine-based Antonov Aeronautical Scientific-Technical Complex (ASTC) and Pratt and Whitney Canada. The Y-8F600 configured to provide an aerial platform for airborne early warning aircraft and other special purposes is referred to as “Category-III Platform”. The aircraft made its first flight on 14 January 2005.

Based on the successful Shaanxi Y-8 series transport aircraft, the Y-8F600 has been extensively modified and upgraded with Western technologies including turboprop engine and avionics. The development program began in 1999, with two foreign partners Ukraine-based Antonov Aeronautical Scientific-Technical Complex (ASTC) and Pratt and Whitney Canada joining the program in 2000~2002. Under the contract signed in 2002, Shaanxi and Antonov shall jointly design, assemble prototypes, certify and put into series the new Y-8F600 transport, while P&W was responsible for providing its PW150B engine to power the aircraft.

A risks-sharing partner under the program, Antonov provided Shaanxi with the results of rigidity and aerodynamic research, as well as documents on aircraft maintainability and service life. It also designed the new wing with fuel tanks and developed technology to build it. Antonov would also share its technical data and experience with Shaanxi, and was involved in the test of the aircraft. The first flight of the Y-8F600 was made successfully on 14 January 2005.

The Y-8F600 is also referred to by Shaanxi and the PLA as “Category-III Platform”, which would provide an advanced aerial platform for special purposes such as airborne early warning (AEW/AWACS), electronic warfare and intelligence (EW/ELINT), maritime patrol, etc. The terms of Category-I and -II platforms are used to refer to the aerial platforms developed from the Y-8 basic variant and Y-8C fully-pressurised variant respectively. The successful development of the Y-8F600 was seen as a significant achievement for Shaanxi.

The Y-8F600 features an advanced two-man ‘glass’ cockpit. As well as basic flight avionics, the aircraft is equipped with datalink, flight management and control, and near ground warning system.

The Y-8F600 is powered by four P&W PB150B turboprop engines. The all-composite six-blade R-408 propeller system was developed by British Dodi company. This arrangement offers improved take-off performance at "hot and high" airports and high altitude cruise performance, extended engine service lives, and lower engine operating and maintenance costs. In addition, noise levels will be reduced and meet stringent airport noise restrictions. The aircraft maximum take-off weight is increased to 65t.

Pakistan must seriously consider this aircraft for future procurement of transport aircraft. this is as good as C-130 super hercules and 100 times more reliable spply chain.

also as we will be using four in AEW&C and have to develop maintainence facility for these we must go for similarity with some five to eight in transport roles and perhaps three for maritime surveillance version, if possible.\\this is a real great air plane!

regards!

 

[indian navy]

If Pakistan and china join hands ..They may look into development of high altitude unmanned Radar stations...I dont know if any such thing exists..But if these are mounted on Zeppelin style airships..Will have less moving parts..Low maintainence and will be out of reach of most Air defence missiles...Plus the added bonus of being able to remain airborne for weeks or may be months..Can even be a replacement for satellites..

you know if and but are the most powerful words

if pakistan try to close with china then they have to loss money ,wepaons from usa and rest of thing you know better

USA has a close eye on china pakistan

 

[S.U.R.B.]

yes it look like but sorry it is not

Thanks for the info and detailed analysis.

I can wait until a reliable source confirms it.

 

[PakSher]

Transport Aircraft and helicopters also need more attention in Pakistan's Aviation Programs going forward. This addition for the PAF now along with SABB AE&W, IL78, JF-17s, the new F-16s, the integration of the PN's F-22 Assets are all force multipliers to protect the motherland.

 

[air marshal]

YouTube - Chinese ZDK-03 AWACS aircraft for Pakistan Air Force: Roll out ceremony held in China

 

[TaimiKhan]

Looks like a rotating pulse Doppler.

So what Sir ?? It would be having radar antenna's on both sides, thus a very good scan rate or performance, who knows it may be for now performing well compared to the AESA tech available with China.

 

[indian navy]

So what Sir ?? It would be having radar antenna's on both sides, thus a very good scan rate or performance, who knows it may be for now performing well compared to the AESA tech available with China.

well sir he was asking a technical question on compare t cant scan 360 dgree and range is not compareable to AESA TECH