Thread by @aviation07101

Thread on #PLA Naval Airforce #PLANAF & #PLAAF AEW&C, MPA, special mission aircraft.

KJ-2000 #Mainring AEW&C (4 in service) based on IL-76 airframes with indigenous systems & radome comprising of 3 #AESA radars forming a triangle, nose/wing mounted surveillance/ESM. 1/10

KJ-200 (GX-5) #Moth (11 in service with Navy-Airforce)

Based on Shaanxi Y-8 series airframes with #AESA balanced beam radar similar to Eyrie radar system developed by Saab which Pakistan airforce is using. Newer variants have added sensors mounted on sides/under and on top. 2/10

KJ-500 (GX-10) 16+ in service Navy-Airforce)

KJ-500 has become mainstay airborne early warning aircraft with newer/bigger Y-9 airframe. Fixed radome comprising of 3 #AESA radar triangularly arranged despite entering in service in 2014 over 16 aircraft are in service. 3/10

Y-8Q/KQ-200 (GX-6)

#PLA Navy’s mainstay maritime patrol, anti-submarine aircraft similar to US P-3C. It can carry torpedos, depth charges/sonobuoys & speculated capability of anti-ship YJ-83K. Its an improvement over older Y-8X MPA & Y-8J AEW/MPA with western radars/sensors 4/10

Y-9G (GX-11) ECM/EW aircraft

Its a high end theater suppression & jamming aircraft and is the newest addition to #PLA’s disruptive capabilities. Only few are in service and possible replacement of older Y-8G (GX-3) stand off jammer in service with PLAAF. 5/10

Y-9JB (GX-8) #ELINT #SIGINT

Dedicated electronic & signature intelligence aircraft along with ESM/reconnaissance based on Y-9 airframe. 2nd generation special mission aircraft that will possibly replace/supplement Y-8CB (GX-1) & Y-8JB (GX-2). 6/10

Y-9XZ (GX-9) Psychological/Cyber Warfare

Another second generation aircraft that will replace/supplement older Y-8XZ (GX-7). Role is to attack enemy communication, signals and broadcast/replace your own with theirs. 7/10

Y-8T (GX-4) Battlefield command/SATCOM aircraft

This aircraft features satellite antennas and secure datalinks to enable better communication in an active battlefield/battle space 8/10

Along with these there Tupolev Tu-154MD converted to be used as #ELINT along with J-8F and upcoming carrier based AEW&C KJ-600 and various other upgraded variants of above mentioned aircraft. There will be possible AEW&C based on Y-20 in future 9/10

Special mention: all images are for fair use only with no copyright infringement intended nor i claim to own them.

#KJ stands for KongJing which translates into “Airborne warning”.
#GX stands for GaoXin meaning “New High”.

Thats it for today. Goodbye/再见 10/10