On the same day China revealed two new stealth fighter designs, it also showed off an equally important – but less glamorous – new warplane: a four-engine airborne early warning and control plane, or AWACS. It may be the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s answer to the US Air Force’s iconic Boeing E-3 Sentry.
The mysterious new plane, possibly designated KJ-3000, appeared in a few blurry photos that circulated online. Considering the wide fuselage and four jet engines of the new Chinese AWACS, it seems the type is based on the PLAAF’s Xi’an Y-20 airlifter and tanker plane, itself a close analogue of the USAF’s Boeing C-17 airlifter.
Early-warning aircraft are basically transport planes (or airliners) with large radars mounted on their fuselages and various work stations in their holds for various specialists and air-warfare commanders, the latter also known as “battle managers.” In addition to extending radar coverage, AWACS often function as aerial headquarters.
On the same day China revealed two new stealth fighter designs, it also showed off an equally important – but less glamorous – new warplane: a four-engine airborne early warning and control plane, or AWACS. It may be the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s answer to the US Air Force’s iconic Boeing E-3 Sentry.
The mysterious new plane, possibly designated KJ-3000, appeared in a few blurry photos that circulated online. Considering the wide fuselage and four jet engines of the new Chinese AWACS, it seems the type is based on the PLAAF’s Xi’an Y-20 airlifter and tanker plane, itself a close analogue of the USAF’s Boeing C-17 airlifter.
Early-warning aircraft are basically transport planes (or airliners) with large radars mounted on their fuselages and various work stations in their holds for various specialists and air-warfare commanders, the latter also known as “battle managers.” In addition to extending radar coverage, AWACS often function as aerial headquarters.