Pakistan's Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircrafts

[nomi007]

may be S/N 11-004

 

[Zarvan]

@nomi007 is it the one which we ordered from China

 

[nomi007]

@nomi007 is it the one which we ordered from China

yes 4 were ordered
read this article

ZDK-03 (Y-8CS?) is an export AWACS system being developed for the Pakistani Air Force. This project was initiated in the early 2000. A Y-8 AWACS testbed (S/N T0518/Y-8CE) based on Y-8 Category II Platform was first discovered at CFTE in early 2006. Unlike KJ-200, this variant carries a traditional rotodome above its fuselage, with a mechanically rotating antenna inside. The PESA radar is thought to scan electronically in elevation but mechanically in azimuth. Therefore the Y-8 AWACS was speculated to be developed for the export market only as it appears less advanced than KJ-200 which features a fixed AESA radar. However this design does provide a true 360° coverage and carry a cheaper price tag. The AEW radar may be the product of the 38th Institute/CETC, but no details are available. The aircraft also features a solid nose and tail with MAWS sensors on both sides, as well as small vertical stabilizers attached to its tailplanes. Another two MAWS sensors are attached to the tailcone as well. Additional fairings are seen at the wingtips and the tail housing ESM antennas. The Y-8 AWACS prototype flew to Pakistan and was evaluated by Pakistani AF in 2006. After some negotiations a much improved design was developed based on PAF's specifications. The variant is now named ZDK-03 (ZDK means CETC) and is based on the new Y-8 Category III Platform featuring WJ-6C turboprops with 6-blade high efficiency propellers. It was reported in early 2009 that a total of 4 were ordered by PAF in a $278m contract. The first ZDK-03 prototype rolled out in November 2010 at SAC. Since then it has been undergoing test at CFTE (S/N 733). ZDK-03 is expected to serve as the airborne command & control center for the JF-17 fighter fleet currently in service with PAF. However it does not have the secure NATO datalink installed to effectively command western fighter aircraft such as American F-16. Therefore ZDK-03 operates together with Saab-2000 in a "high-low" combination in order to coordinate various Chinese and western made combat aircraft effectively. The first ZDK-03 (S/N 11-001) was delivered to PAF in December 2011. The 2nd (S/N 11-002) was delivered some time later. The delivery of third ZDK-03 (12-003) is pending in May 2013.

 

[Nishan_101]

may be S/N 11-004

PN should negotiate for 3 of these...

 

[Side-Winder]

 

[Nishan_101]

We need to work with EU on sensors...

 

[TaimiKhan]

may be S/N 11-004

This one is not ours, this is the on which China is making for its ownself. And it seems to be different then ours, first notice the grey stripe, seems to be an extra set of ECM system, which ours lack, plus the Chinese being labelled as KJ-500 seems to have a 3 sided AESA radar arrangement. We have two sided or may be 1 sided radar configuration. Both different platforms.

 

[farhan_9909]

This one is not ours, this is the on which China is making for its ownself. And it seems to be different then ours, first notice the grey stripe, seems to be an extra set of ECM system, which ours lack, plus the Chinese being labelled as KJ-500 seems to have a 3 sided AESA radar arrangement. We have two sided or may be 1 sided radar configuration. Both different platforms.

ZDK-03 is a PESA while even the older chinese kj-200 is a AESA,this new Kj-500 is a aesa with 3 aesa radar arrangement.

We bought 4 ZDK-03 for just 270million dollars.while the cost of each saab 2000 was more than 200million dollars.One can now guess the difference between the cost and capabilities.

 

[Basel]

ZDK-03 is a PESA while even the older Chinese kj-200 is a AESA,this new Kj-500 is a aesa with 3 aesa radar arrangement.

Why we bought PESA configuration? when china had AESA available and if this is below the capabilities of our Erieye than how it will handle advance EW and related capabilities of India?

 

[he-man]

here for convenience of newbies

 

ZDK-03 is a PESA while even the older chinese kj-200 is a AESA,this new Kj-500 is a aesa with 3 aesa radar arrangement.

We bought 4 ZDK-03 for just 270million dollars.while the cost of each saab 2000 was more than 200million dollars.One can now guess the difference between the cost and capabilities.

yes saab 2000 is s band aesa 

Why we bought PESA configuration? when china had AESA available and if this is below the capabilities of our Erieye than how it will handle advance EW and related capabilities of India?

zdk-03 will not even stand against the drdo awacs which has s-band aesa too like eriye.

 

[SQ8]

ZDK-03 is a PESA while even the older chinese kj-200 is a AESA,this new Kj-500 is a aesa with 3 aesa radar arrangement.

We bought 4 ZDK-03 for just 270million dollars.while the cost of each saab 2000 was more than 200million dollars.One can now guess the difference between the cost and capabilities.

here for convenience of newbies

 


yes saab 2000 is s band aesa 


zdk-03 will not even stand against the drdo awacs which has s-band aesa too like eriye.

The ZDK-03 has a vertical scan AESA.. i.e. its scan only is active vertically. But as such it is longer ranged but inferior in scan resolution than the Erieye.
Face it, our military is out of cash and out of options..

 

[Chak Bamu]

The ZDK-03 has a vertical scan AESA.. i.e. its scan only is active vertically. But as such it is longer ranged but inferior in scan resolution than the Erieye.
Face it, our military is out of cash and out of options..

But how does that translate into lesser capability and what difference does it make? None of Indian aircraft are Low Observable as far as I know. Given the ZDK-03's ability to provide surveillance and warning, I would not be complaining especially given the price and financing likely provided by Chinese friends.

Just a thought - could Erieye's capabilities include ability to provide accurate targeting information to a BVR missile fired by a combat plane? That is the only difference that I could imagine arising out of the difference in scan resolution between Erieye and ZDK-03. This is just a guess and I would like more knowledgeable forum members to provide more information. I would really like @gambit to comment on this, if he please.

 

[nomi007]

 

[Dazzler]

radar is AESA housed in a rotating disk thus has full 360 deg sanning which Erieye lacks, search range is more than Erieye but radar scan speed maybe inferior to the latter, it seems to have good sea state (multiple modes) scanning capability which is why it usually roams around the coast. Night time patrolling indicates it has a capable night vision suite as well.

 

[SQ8]

radar is AESA housed in a rotating disk thus has full 360 deg sanning which Erieye lacks, search range is more than Erieye but radar scan speed maybe inferior to the latter, it seems to have good sea state (multiple modes) scanning capability which is why it usually roams around the coast. Night time patrolling indicates it has a capable night vision suite as well.

Nothing to do with a NVG suite. It is a radar system and hence is not limited by day or night. Moreover, it is a certified for IFR hence it goes around at night.