Shaanxi KJ-500 explained

The Shaanxi KJ-500 (Chinese: 空警-500; pinyin: Kōngjǐng Wǔbǎi; literally: "Air Warning 500") is a third-generation airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft used by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force. It was built by Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation,[1] and is based on the Y-9 airframe.

Development

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the detection range and the accuracy of airborne radars have been increasing, and fighters equipped with various types of air-to-air missiles and low-altitude cruise missiles continue to improve in performance, creating a demand for a more capable AEW&C. To address the above issues, China started the development of the KJ-500, its third AEW&C, in the late 2000s. The KJ-500 was required to have three important features, which are good detection capability, good identification ability, and quick responsiveness. The KJ-500 was also required to be the core force of the information combat system, its equipped technology has four major characteristics, which are networking, multi-functionality, high-integration, and lightweight.[2]

The aircraft carries a fixed dorsal radome containing three AESA radar arrays for 360-degree coverage and is said to be more efficient than the two-planar 'balance beam' array design used on the earlier KJ-200. Production of older AEW&C types reportedly ceased production in 2018 in response to the KJ-500 reaching full operational capability.[3]

Variants

KJ-500: Base variant
  • KJ-500H: Variant for PLA Navy.[4]
  • KJ-500A: Improved variant with an aerial refueling probe. Debut in Zhuhai Airshow 2022.[5]

    • Operators

    People's Republic of China

    Specifications

    Limited performance parameters of KJ-500 have been published as follows:[7]

    Notes and References

    1. News: 空警-500：中国预警机家族新明星. Xinhua. zh. 31 October 2015. 30 July 2018. 30 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180730170807/http://www.xinhuanet.com/science/2015-10/31/c_134767341.htm. dead.
    2. Technology characteristics of the 3rd generation early warning aircraft and its electronic reconnaissance system，ZHEN JunYi, China Academy of Electronics and Science，Beijing 100041，China
    3. Book: The Military Balance 2022 . 2022 . International Institute for Strategic Studies . 978-1-032-27900-8 . 261.
    4. Web site: China’s Massive Fleet Of Radar Planes And The Strategy Behind It . The War Zone . 5 April 2023 . Thomas . Newdick . Andreas . Rupprecht .
    5. Web site: All The Air Combat Developments Out Of China's Massive Air Show . The Drive . 7 November 2022 . Joseph . Trevithick .
    6. Book: The Military Balance 2022 . 2022 . International Institute for Strategic Studies . 978-1-032-27900-8 . 260.
    7. News: Expert: KJ-500 improves China's overall military power. China Military Online. 16 February 2016. 30 July 2018. 18 February 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200218163233/http://english.chinamil.com.cn/news-channels/pla-daily-commentary/2016-02/16/content_6913601.htm. dead.
    8. News: PLA deploys advanced jets to boost electronic capability. China Daily. Lei. zhao. 4 September 2015. 30 July 2018.

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