KJ-2000
A KJ-2000 in flight at the 2014 Zhuhai Air Show
Role Airborne early warning and control
National origin Russia/China
Manufacturer Ilyushin
First flight 2003
Status Active
Primary user People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF)
Number built 5[1]
Developed from Ilyushin Il-76

The KJ-2000 (Chinese: 空警-2000; pinyin: Kōngjǐng Liǎngqiān; lit. 'Airwarning-2000'), NATO reporting name: Mainring is a Chinese Airborne early warning and control system comprising domestically designed electronics and radars installed on a modified Ilyushin Il-76 airframe.[2]

Development

A KJ-2000 in 2008

The KJ-2000 development program started after the cancellation of the A-50I deal with Israel and Russia in July 2000, due to strong U.S. pressure regarding the Israeli radar that was to be mounted. China then went on to develop a domestic AWACS and the first aircraft made its maiden flight in 2003.

Four KJ-2000 aircraft have been identified so far, but production of new aircraft will likely be delayed, dependent on the acquisition of Il-76 airframes. Currently, the Russian defense exporter Rosoboronexport has imposed a significant price hike on all future Il-76s delivered to China and India despite previous contracts. Both countries are currently in negotiation with Russia regarding this matter as of early 2008.[3]

In March 2011, Russia/China negotiations reached a new agreement to move production of Il-76s to Chinese owned companies. In this way it is expected production can be run smoothly to supply China with new Il-76 airframes, while delivery of Soloviev D-30KP-2 engines is not affected by recent issues.[3]

Due to unreliable external supplier sources, China has developed a backup known as the KJ-200 by installing a simplified system on board the Shaanxi Y-8. This aircraft has a similar configuration to that of the KJ-2000 and is characterized by the triple tail-fin configuration (one large and two small).

Design

The Chinese AWACS has a phased array radar (PAR) carried in a round radome. Unlike the US AWACS aircraft, which rotate their rotodomes to give a 360‑degree coverage, the radar antenna of the Chinese AWACS does not rotate. Instead, three PAR antenna modules are placed in a triangular configuration inside the round radome to provide a 360‑degree coverage. The multi-function, three-dimensional pulse-Doppler radar was developed by NII (Nanjing Electronic Technology Research Institute), and is designed to detect and track airborne and surface targets.[4]

It operates in the frequency range of 1200–1400 MHz. The antenna system consists of three phased arrays, located in a 14-metre-diameter (46 ft) disc. In contrast, the Russian Beriev A-50 and American Boeing E-3 Sentry use a 9-metre-diameter (30 ft) disc. Each phased array has a 120-degree field of view. Maximum range of detection of air targets is 470 km (290 mi).

KJ-3000

A new variant with a fixed next-generation radar was reportedly spotted in 2013.[5]

Operational history

The PLAAF's first AWACS regiment was established at a small and remote airfield in southern China, for security reasons, during late 2004. The commander appointed to the regiment was Zhang Guangjian (张广建), a pilot with over 6,000 hours of flight time on various aircraft including the Il-76. The base was re-built and re-equipped for handling the KJ-2000, the first of which reached the base in 2005. A mixed fleet of KJ-2000 and the smaller KJ-200 have been operated at the base.[6]

In 2013 a 24-hour coverage drill was held using three KJ-2000s that covered NW China, the East China Sea, and the South China Sea.[6]

Since Il-76s are supplied by Russia and as the numbers are limited, China is seeking to replace the Il-76 platform currently used by the KJ-2000 with the Y-20.[7]

Operators

China People's Republic of China

Specifications

Limited performance parameters of KJ-2000 have been published as follows:

Data from [8]

General characteristics

  • Max takeoff weight: 175,000 kg (385,809 lb)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 850 km/h (530 mph, 460 kn)
  • Range: 5,500 km (3,400 mi, 3,000 nmi)
  • Endurance: 12 hours

Avionics

  • Range against fighter sized targets: 470 km (290 mi; 250 nmi)
  • Range against ballistic missiles: 1,200 km (750 mi; 650 nmi)
  • Max simultaneous targets tracked: 60–100

See also

Related development

Related lists

References

  1. 1 2 "Capabilities of the Chinese People's Liberation Army to Carry Out Military Action in the Event of Regional Military Conflict" (PDF). SAIC. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-08-13.
  2. ↑ "KJ200_1". SinoDefence. Archived from the original on 8 December 2012. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  3. 1 2 "IL76 russia china export agreement2011". AirForceWorld.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
  4. ↑ "Kongjing-2000 (KJ-2000) Mainring". globalsecurity.org. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  5. ↑ "China's AEW&C KJ-3000 air-to-surface combat aircraft – China Daily Mail". China Daily Mail. 6 June 2013. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  6. 1 2 John Pike. "China holds airborne early warning drill targeting Japan: report". Archived from the original on 5 December 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  7. ↑ "China to Develop AEW&C Aircraft on Y-20 Transport Plane Platform". Archived from the original on 2016-10-24. Retrieved 2019-03-18.
  8. ↑ "央视曝空警-2000试验平台 公开雷内部达结构". Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
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