Misplaced Pages

KJ-500
KJ-500
Role	Airborne early warning and control (AEW&C)Type of aircraft
National origin	China
Manufacturer	Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation
Number built	34+
Developed from	Shaanxi Y-9

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 (PLAAF). It was built by Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation, 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.

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.

Operational history

In March 2022, General Kenneth Wilsbach, commander of U.S. Pacific Air Forces, identified the KJ-500 as enablers for long-range Chinese air-to-air missiles.

Variants

KJ-500

Base variant

KJ-500H

Variant for PLA Navy.

KJ-500A

Improved variant with an aerial refueling probe. Debut in Zhuhai Airshow 2022.

Operators

People's Republic of China

• People's Liberation Army Air Force - 20 KJ-500
• People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force - 14+ KJ-500H

Specifications

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

• Max speed (km/h): 550
• Max range (km): 5700
• Max endurance (h): 12
• Max takeoff weight(tons): 77
• Range against fighter sized targets (km): 470

References

1. ^ For Strategic Studies (Iiss), The International Institute (15 February 2023). "6 Asia". The Military Balance 2023. London: Routledge. doi:10.4324/9781003400226. ISBN 9781003400226. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
2. "空警-500：中国预警机家族新明星" (in Chinese). Xinhua. 31 October 2015. Archived from the original on 30 July 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
3. 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
4. The Military Balance 2022. International Institute for Strategic Studies. 2022. p. 261. ISBN 978-1-032-27900-8.
5. Waldron, Greg (16 March 2022). "F-35s have encountered J-20s over East China Sea: USAF general". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
6. Newdick, Thomas; Rupprecht, Andreas (5 April 2023). "China's Massive Fleet Of Radar Planes And The Strategy Behind It". The War Zone.
7. Trevithick, Joseph (7 November 2022). "All The Air Combat Developments Out Of China's Massive Air Show". The Drive.
8. The Military Balance 2022. International Institute for Strategic Studies. 2022. p. 260. ISBN 978-1-032-27900-8.
9. "Expert: KJ-500 improves China's overall military power". China Military Online. 16 February 2016. Archived from the original on 18 February 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
10. Lei, zhao (4 September 2015). "PLA deploys advanced jets to boost electronic capability". China Daily. Retrieved 30 July 2018.

• AWACS aircraft
• 2010s Chinese military aircraft
• Aircraft first flown in 2013
• High-wing aircraft
• Four-engined turboprop aircraft
• Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear