EC-225LP/AS-332L1 (courtesy of XD, DSYY, MRXYF)
- Last Updated 1/15/12
Helicopters Helicopters Destroyers Submarines Missiles Missiles Missiles UAVs | ||
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EC-225LP/AS-332L1 (courtesy of XD, DSYY, MRXYF)
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Around 6 AS-332L1 Super Puma are in
service with PLAAF (serial # 21xx). This civilian version was first acquired in the 1986 and has mainly
served as a VIP transport helicopter. Some specifications: max TO weight 9,000kg, max speed 278km/h,
range 618km, ceiling 3,500m. The latest image (April 2011) suggested that PLAAF recently acquired a new
batch of EC-225LPs to replace the original AS-332L1s.
- Last Updated 1/15/12 |
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F-7MP (courtesy of NN & CSWY)
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F-7MP is a further upgraded variant of F-7P with improved cockpit layout and
navigation system. PAF ordered 60 F-7MPs during the late 80s, then later took delivery of another 80
aircraft. It was reported that subsequently all F-7Ps were upgraded to MP standard. Both F-7P and
F-7MP are generally referred to as F-7P since the external difference is minimum. The most noticeable
feature of F-7MP is the BM/KJ-8602 RWR antennas on top of the vertical
tail. In the mid-90s PAF planned to replace the GEC-Marconi GMAv Skyranger ranging radar with the more
powerful FIAR Grifo 7 multi-mode fire-control radar, but the work was postponed until early 2004 due to
certain technical and financial difficulties. It was reported that Grifo-7 was later replaced by the
further improved Grifo-MK-II which can track 4 targets simultaneously and engage 1.
- Last Updated 3/7/11 |
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Y-8CA (courtesy of SZL, AB, MMDTK)
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A single Y-8C transport aircraft (serial #079) was converted into a radar
testbed by XAC as Y-8CA. It has been used exclusively by China
Flight Test Establishment (CFTE) at Yanliang to test various airborne radar and related
equipment. The most noticeable feature is a modular radome section which replaced the old Tu-16
style glass nosecone. Radomes in different shapes and sizes (pointed vs. blunt) can be
adopted
depending on the type of radar antenna being tested. The Y-8CA
radar testbed first flew in August 1999 and was believed to have been involved in several key
fighter and fighter bomber projects (e.g. J-10, J-11B & JH-7A). The aircarft also served
as the testbed for the new JL-4 6-blade high-efficiency propeller installed on its #1 engine. The
new propeller has been adopted by the Y-8 Type III platform (KJ-200 & ZDK-03). Currently Y-8CA is testing the AESA radar of J-10B.
- Last Updated 2/20/11 |
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Boeing 737 Missile Tracking Aircraft (courtesy of QY)
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It is believed that this missile tracking aircraft was developed by Xian
Aircraft Corporation (XAC) and the 603 Institute. The aircraft appears to have been converted from
a Boeing 737-3Q8 passenger aircraft (without the US approval) which was originally purchased by
China United Airline in 1990. A prominent feature of this aircraft is a fairing on top of the
forward fuselage and two more fairings located underneath the mid-section of the fuselage, which could
house datalink and telemetry antennas. The aircraft also adopts a light grey color scheme. This Boeing
737 missile tracking aircraft may have been involved in various Chinese
MRBM, ICBM and LACM programs such as DF-21, DF-31 and CJ-10 series. Two were converted (B-4052 & 4053).
- Last Updated 5/10/10 |
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Il-76 Engine Testbed (courtesy of HWBS, GTJL)
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T first picture of the new Il-76 engine testbed is shown here. The aircraft was modified from a
former Russian Il-76SKIP/Be-976 missile tracking aircraft (serial # RA-76456). The
modification including the removal of the radar system took place in 2004 at the LII Flight Research Institute and
the aircraft was handed over to China in mid-2005. The inner engine on the port side has been converted into an engine
testbed, an arrangement similar to Russian Il-76LL engine testbed variant. Two large wingtip pods were retained which
now might house engine monitoring instrument. Two small pods of unknown purpose (camera?) can be seen attached to the
rear fuselage. The IL-76 engine testbed (serial # 76456/760) has entered the service with CFTE, replacing the old
Tu-16 engine testbed. The aircraft is expected to be used for testing the new WS-10 series turbofan engines.
- Last Updated 4/8/09 |
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Boeing 737NG VIP (courtesy of wi777)
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For years a handful Boeing 737 airliners have been operated by PLAAF 34th Division as VIP transport aircraft.
Due to the sensitivity of carrying out military-related missions using US-made civilian aircraft, those Boeing 737s were initially
painted with the CAAC markings and serial numbers only. However recent images indicated that they (at least the recently delivered
NG model) are now formally painted with PLAAF insignias (S/N B-4080).
- Last Updated 10/24/11 |
