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KJ-2000 Mainring

A PLAAF KJ-2000 AWACS was approaching the runway before landing. Its prototype was first spotted undergoing testing in Nanjing in 2003, carrying a CFTE emblem (S/N 762). The KJ-2000 prototype was based on Russian A-50I airframe but fitted with an indigenous AEW and a C³I system, including IFF and datalink. The AEW system, developed by Nanjing Research Institute of Electronic Technology/14th Institute, is presumably similar, but slightly inferior to the Israeli Phalcon system. It was reported that the system can track 60-100 aerial targets simultaneously at 400km away. The aircraft features a fixed rotodome housing three AESA antennas in a triangular configuration. As the result a 360° radar coverage can be achieved. A SATCOM antenna is installed inside the fairing on top of the forward cabin. Two large angled ventral fins are attached underneath the tail to compensate the impact of rotodome on aircraft handling. A nose-mounted IFR probe (on #762 only) suggests its operations could be further extended with the tanker (Il-78) support. Following the humiliation of the cancelled A-50I/Phalcon contract with Israel in 2000, China salvaged this A-50I prototype from Israel via Russia in 2002 the Phalcon system removed. It was reported that a significant amount of resources have been invested into this high-priority project (Project 998?) at the 603 Institute/XAC/14th Institute following an executive order issued by the Chinese President. The compete system first flew on November 11, 2003 as KJ-2000 after overcoming various technical difficulties. More KJ-2000s were converted from the China United Airline Il-76MD transport fleet, including B-4040 through B-4043. The first two KJ-2000s were handed over to PLAAF in 2005. Currently 4 KJ-2000s are stationed in Jiangsu Province, facing Japan and Taiwan (S/N 30071-30074). However further conversion from Il-76MD appears to have been halted due to the limited quantity available. Additional KJ-2000 class AWACS may depend on the import of additional Il-76MDs as well as the availability of indigenous Y-20 transport aircraft.
- Last Updated 12/28/11

Y-8X Cub

Y-8X is PLAN's first long-range maritime patrol aircraft (range 5,600km). It is equipped with an American Litton AN/APS-504(V)3 surface search radar in an enlarged undernose radome plus western navigational systems for long range patrols over the sea. The aircraft also carries optical and IR cameras. One limitation is that Y-8X is unarmed, but the it does have the potential to carry weapons. Around 3 Y-8Xs are believed in service with PLA Naval Aviation (S/N 9261-9291, 9281 later converted to Y-8J) stationed in Shangdong Province. They have been carrying out routine long-range intelligence gathering missions near the coast of Japan and South Korea, prompting interceptions by F-15s and F-16s from the two countries. Recent images (March 2011) suggested that some Y-8Xs (9271 & 9291) have been upgraded with a FLIR turret installed underneath the forward fuselage. A canoe shaped fairing plus a couple blade antennas were seen attached to the bottom of middle and aft fuselage, suggesting the aircraft's ELINT mission has been further enhanced with possibly a new SAR capability.
- Last Updated 2/3/12

Y-8J Cub

This airborne early warning (AEW) variant of Y-8 (Project 515) was first spotted near Shanghai in 2000. It may feature a Sky Master surveillance radar (based upon earlier Search Water radar) housed in a enlarged, slightly dropped nose radome, a configuration similar to the smaller Britten Norman Defender twin turboprop for ground and maritime patrol and AEW roles. 6-8 sets of this radar system were purchased by China in 1996 from UK's Racal for $66m. The Sky Master L band PD radar has a detection range of 85km (look-down mode) or 110km (look-up mode)against a 5m² aerial target, and 230km against a sea surface target. A total of 100 aerial targets and 32 sea surface targets can be tracked simultaneously. Y-8J also has a limited C&C capability. The system can direct up to 6 aircraft to intercept enemy aircraft. The first prototype flew on September 26, 1998. So far at least 3 Y-8J AEW platforms (S/N 9281, 9301, 9311, 9321) were converted by Shannxi Aircraft Industry Corporation (SAC) and both are in service with PLAN. It was speculated that the aircraft could be used to provide targeting information for long-range anti-ship missiles, but this has not been confirmed. This AEW variant is believed to be far less capable than the KJ-200 AWACS just entering service with PLAN but can be viewed as a stop-gap measure.
- Last Updated 9/19/11

Y-8CB Cub/High New 1

The Y-8CB ECM variant (K/JYZ-8) was first spotted in Nanjing, Jiangshu Province in July 2005. The aircraft features a ventral canoe fairing underneath the forward fuselage which may house a large ECM or SAR antenna. An antenna array consisting of several rows of smaller ECM antennas can be seen protruding out of the rear loading ramp, which is thought to have been sealed. A few more antennas are located under the fuselage between the main landing gear cabins. The aircraft may carry the 300 & 308 Systems to jam enemy communication network and radar systems. The Y-8CB prototype first flew on January 26, 2000. At least 4 (S/N 21011-21013, 5121, 5123?) are in service with PLAAF, replacing the obsolete HD-5 ECM aircraft. Recent image indicated that some have been upgraded with additional equipment including a dorsal SATCOM antenna.
- Last Updated 4/26/11

Y-8JB Cub/High New 2

A new ELINT version of Y-8 was spotted in Summer 2004 near Shanghai. This variant is thought to be called Y-8JB. The aircraft features a large chin mounted radome which may house a large ELINT antenna. Another SATCOM antenna may be installed inside a large semi-spherical dorsal fairing forward of the vertical tailfin providing real-time transmission to the ground base. Numerous smaller fairings can be seen on top of the cabin and along the upper sections of the aft fuselage as well as at the nose tip. The loading ramp appears to have been sealed. The aircraft has been fitted with a BM/KZ800 ELINT system. There were speculations that some technologies of this system may have come from the American EP-3 ELINT aircraft force-landed in Hainan Island in April 2001, suggesting that Chinese may have managed to decipher at least part of the top-secret US ELINT hardware and software onboard EP-3. The Y-8JB prototype first flew on August 26, 2003 at SAC. Currently 4 aircraft (S/N 9331, 9341, 9351, 9361) are in service with PLA Naval Aviation. They have flown intelligence gathering missions near Japan. The latest news suggested a Y-8 ELINT design carrying a simplified KZ800 system has been offered for export.
- Last Updated 4/14/11

Y-8G Cub/High New 3

A new Y-8G (K/JYG8) was first unveiled during Chinese Vice Prime Minister's visit to SAC in April 2005. The aircraft features two large cheek fairings of an arch shape which may house large ECM antenna array for long-range electronic/communication jamming purpose. The ECM antenna array may be the product of the 14th Institute. It also features a redesigned solid nose with the undernose radome removed. A large tail fairing may provide 360 degree coverage. Another cylindrical fairing can be seen on top of the vertical tailfin. The Y-8G prototype first flew in late 2004. Four Y-8Gs have been in service with PLAAF (S/N 21014-21017). Three more entered the service recently (S/N 5125, 5126, 5128).
- Last Updated 5/3/11

Y-8T Cub/High New 4

A Y-8T C³I airborne command post is shown here. It has a redesigned real fuselage section with the loading ramp and tail gun turret removed. The aircraft also features a dorsal fairing aft the wing section which might house a SATCOM antenna. Multiple antenna arrays can be seen along the top and bottom of the fuselage, as well as on the vertical tailfin. Y-8T C³I command post prototype first flew in August 2004 and is expected to provide better coordination for PLAAF air operations. Currently three Y-8Ts (S/N 30271-30273) are in service with PLAAF.
- Last Updated 5/6/11

Y-8W/KJ-200 Cub/High New 5

A PLAAF Y-8W AWACS aircraft wearing a blue/gray camouflage color scheme is shown here. This so-called "Balanced Beam Testbed" bears some resemblance to the Swedish Saab 340 AWACS aircraft with its electronically scanning phased array radar inside a large rectangular fairing carried above the fuselage. The radar is likely to be the product of the 38th Institute. The first Y-8 "Balance Beam Testbed" prototype took off on November 8, 2001 at SAC, after converted from a Y-8F-200 transport aircraft. The production version (also named KJ-200) is based on the new Y-8 "Category III Platform" which has a redesigned fuselage with a solid nose and a new tail section with the loading ramp removed. Two radomes are located at the nose tip and tailcone which may house additional antennas to provide full 360° coverage. More fairings can be seen at the wingtips and on top of the tailfin housing ESM antennas. A series of small antennas are located on top of the forward fuselage. It also has an integrated wing fuel tank and 4 high-efficiency JL-4 6-blade propellers giving the aircraft a longer range (~5,000km) and less noise. A C³I center is housed in a pressurized cabin, and a new integrated digital avionics system based on ARING429 and RS422 databus has been installed. The aircraft also features a glass cockpit. This new type first flew on January 14, 2005 at SAC. Both Y-8W and KJ-2000 have demonstrated China's determination to acquire indigenous AWACS capability after the earlier A-50I setback. They were developed in a high-low combination and is expected to coordinate J-7G, J-8F, J-10, J-11B, JH-7A and H-6M/K via datalink in the possible air campaigns against Taiwan. Initially two prototypes were evaluated by PLAAF. However #2 Y-8W crashed on June 3, 2006 due to wing surface icing -- a serious blow to the indigenous AWACS effort. The production resumed one year later after some redesign work, including strengthened fuselage and attaching small vertical stabilizers to the tips of its horizontal tailfins. At least 4 Y-8Ws have been produced for PLAAF (30171, 30173-30175). The latest image indicated that PLAN has taken delivery of several Y-8Ws (Y-8WH? S/N 9371, 9391, 9421).
- Last Updated 1/1/12

Y-8Q Cub/High New 6

It was rumored that a much-needed ASW variant of Y-8 (Y-8Q/High New 6?) similar to American P-3C has been under development since 2007, but it has yet to enter the service with PLAN. The aircraft is believed to be based on Y-8 "Category III Platform" with a fully pressurized cabin, 4 WJ-6C turbofan engines with 6-blade high efficiency propellers and horizontal tailplanes with small vertical stabilizers. It also features a large chin radome housing a surface search radar which might be based on the British Sky Master surveillance radar installed on Y-8J. An EO turret was installed underneath the forward fuselage housing a FLIR, CCD TV camera and laser rangefinder. A pair of MAWS sensors are installed on both sides of its nose cone. A series of blade antennas are seen on top of and underneath the fuselage for communication and ESM purpose. Two pairs of RWR antennas are installed at the tip of the vertical tailfin. The most noticeable feature of Y-8Q is a MAD sting on its tail. Its lower fuselage in the mid-section of the aircraft was modified extensively to house an internal bomb bay for carrying depth charges, light torpedos even AShMs (e.g. Yu-7 & YJ-83K). Two large windows are seen in the rear fuselage for observation purpose. The aircraft is capable of dropping newly developed sonobuoys as well. As a dedicated long-range ASW aircraft, Y-8Q has a range of up to 5,000km and a patrol time of up to 10 hours. Currently at least two prototypes have been built by SAC. Y-8Q appears to be the first combat aircraft in the Y-8 series. It is thought to be capable of coordinating with future Chinese CVBG via secure datalink and extending the defence further away against enemy submarines and small surface ships.
- Last Updated 12/13/11

Y-8XZ Cub/High New 7

A new Y-8 psychological operation (XZ) variant was unveiled in April 2008 as one of the newest members of the High New series (High New 7 or K/YXZ8?). The aircraft features large fairings located forward of the main landing gear compartments, and two large plate antennas on each side of the rear fuselage. Other features include two blade antennas on both sides of the vertical tailfin, a wire antenna underneath the rear fuselage, a large SATCOM antenna on top of the rear fuselage. Y-8XZ was developed to conduct psychological operations against enemy audience. It has high power broadcast equipment covering AM, FM, SW, TV plus various civilian and military communication bands, able to jam enemy communications as well as disrupt and demoralize enemy with overwhelming propaganda broadcastings. Y-8XZ has been in service with PLAAF (S/N 21110, 21111) since end of 2007 and is similar to American EC-130E Rivet Rider.
- Last Updated 5/3/11

Y-8ELINT Cub/High New 8

This newest member of the "High New" series was first spotted in April 2011 at CFTE (S/N 720?). Similar to Y-8W, High New 8 (?) is based on "Y-8 Catalog III Platform" powered by four WJ-6C turboprop engines with 6-blade high efficiency propellers. As an EW aircraft it features four large rectangular shaped dark color fairings on both sides of the forward and rear fuselage. Additional antennas are installed inside fairings at the wingtips, on top of the mid-fuselage, on top of the vertical tailfin, underneath the nose as well as inside the nose/tail cone. The exact nature of High New 8 is still unknown. However it has been speculated as an advanced ELINT platform similar to American EP-3.
- Last Updated 12/28/11

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