China has taken to the skies with its cutting-edge sixth-generation fighter jets, while also conducting the maiden flight of its new KJ-3000 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft. The AEW&C aircraft is based on the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Y-20 transport aircraft and features a large rotodome for 360-degree coverage.
According to Andreas Rupprecht, a Chinese military aviation specialist, the KJ-3000 is expected to have enhanced detection capabilities, with some experts speculating that it can detect targets at ranges exceeding 500 kilometers. The aircraft is powered by the domestically-produced WS-20 high-bypass turbofan engine and is anticipated to generate approximately 31,000 pounds of thrust.
The KJ-3000’s maiden flight comes as China continues to develop its AEW&C fleet, with existing platforms including the KJ-2000 based on the Il-76 platform and the KJ-500 on the Shaanxi Y-9 aircraft. The new aircraft is expected to strengthen China’s air defense capabilities by flying alongside cutting-edge fighter jets in combat.
With an expanding AEW&C fleet that already dwarfs the United States, China has been making concerted efforts to develop newer early warning aircraft on existing designs. The KJ-3000’s advanced features and capabilities are expected to significantly enhance China’s ability to monitor large swathes of airspace and detect hostile aerial targets.
The primary objective of an AEW&C aircraft is to use its powerful radars to monitor large swathes of the airspace and scan and detect hostile aerial targets. With the integration of C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) technologies, the KJ-3000 can operate as a complete command center, allowing for better coordination between land, sea, and air domains.
This development comes as tensions rage in the Indo-Pacific region, where a carrier-based AEW&C aircraft could be a key factor in conducting operations against adversaries. The integration of the KJ-600 into People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) operations is expected to improve China’s aerial command and maritime surveillance capabilities.
Source: https://www.eurasiantimes.com/china-springs-another-surprise-as-all-new-kj-3000