KJ-2000 Mainring
A PLAAF KJ-2000 AWACS was photographed while 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 C4ISR system, including ARINC429 databus, IFF and datalink. The AEW system, developed by Nanjing Research Institute of Electronic Technology/14th Institute, is presumably similar to the Israeli Phalcon system. It was reported that the system can track hundreds of aerial targets simultaneously with a max range of 470km. 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. KJ-2000 is able to patrol in the air for up to 12 hours with a max range of 5,500km. 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. The production KJ-2000s were converted from the China United Airline Il-76MD transport fleet (B-4040 - B-4043), starting from B-4043. The first two KJ-2000s were handed over to PLAAF in 2005. The design was certified in 2007. Currently all 4 KJ-2000s are stationed in Jiangsu Province, facing Japan and Taiwan (S/N 30571, 30572, 30573, 30574). However further conversion from Il-76MD ended due to the limited number available. KJ-2000 is expected to be replaced by the new KJ-3000 (?) in the future which might be based on the indigenous Y-20 transport aircraft. The latest image (March 2021) indicated that KJ-2000 started to carry a new yellow serial number on its vertical fin. The latest rumor (November 2021) suggested that the first KJ-3000 prototype might have been built at XAC.- Last Updated 1/13/24
This airborne early warning (AEW) variant of Y-8 (Project 515) was first spotted near Shanghai in 2000. It features a Skymaster surveillance radar housed in a enlarged, partially 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 Skymaster radar has a maximum detection range of 400km. A total of 100 aerial targets can be tracked simultaneously. Y-8J also has a limited C&C capability. The control center can direct up to 6 aircraft to intercept enemy aircraft with around 4 display consoles in a small pressurized cabin. It can also provide target information to surface ships and submarines via datalink. The aircraft also has RWR antennas installed on the forward fuselage below the cabin and above the tail cone. The first prototype flew on September 26, 1998. Four Y-8J AEW platforms (S/N 9281, 9301, 31, 32) were converted by Shannxi Aircraft Industry Corporation (SAC) and all are in service with PLAN. They had been flying routine ELINT missions over the East China Sea facing Japan. 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 less capable than the KJ-200H AWACS but can be viewed as a stop-gap measure. Images released in December 2014 indicated that a dorsal SATCOM antenna has been installed. Some (S/N 9311 & 9321) were seen having two small windows installed underneath the tail possibly for photo-reconnaissance purpose. A recent video (September 2021) indicated that Y-8J started to carry a two-digit code number. The latest image (January 2023) indicated that Y-8J started to wear low visibility insignias and code numbers. Y-8J is expected to be replaced by KJ-200H.- Last Updated 2/25/24
The Y-8CB ELINT variant (K/JYZ-8) was first spotted in Nanjing, Jiangshu Province in July 2005. It is the first of the ever growing High New series "special purpose aircraft" based on the Y-8 "Category I" Platform and developed by SAC. The aircraft features a canoe shaped fairing underneath the forward fuselage which may house a large ELINT antenna. An antenna array consisting of several rows of smaller antennas can be seen protruding out of the rear loading ramp, which is thought to have been sealed. More fairings and antennas are located under the fuselage between the main landing gear compartments as well as on top of the fuselage, including a pair of grid antennas. The aircraft has a BM/KZ800 ELINT antenna installed under the belly which can detect, record, locate and analyze enemy radar, EW and communication signals. The Y-8CB prototype first flew on January 26, 2000. All Y-8CBs (S/N 30011, 30012, 20671, 20672, 30511) are in service with PLAAF. Some have been upgraded with additional equipment including a dorsal SATCOM antenna to provide a datalink to the ground base. Since September 2016 Y-8CB had been flying ELINT missions over the East China Sea near Japan. The aircraft appears to have a new dorsal SATCOM antenna installed. A recent image (February 2019) suggested that a much improved variant (High New 1B/Y-8DZ?) has been converted from Y-8CB. It features two large rectangular shaped ESM/ELINT antennas (multi-baseline interferometers) on both sides of the rear fuselage. Another two ESM/ELINT antennas are installed on the forward fuselage but slightly smaller. Its vertical tail fin has been redesigned to have a rear-facing antenna installed on the top. The canoe shaped antenna underneath the fuselage is retained. The aircraft also has been painted with a new light blue/white color scheme. At least two have been in service with PLAAF by the end of 2019. All Y-8CBs are expected to be upgraded to the Y-8DZ standard. A recent image (October 2020) indicated that Y-8DZ started to fly ELINT missions near the Taiwan Strait, carrying a new yellow serial number on its vertical fin. Y-8CB is expected to be replaced by the new Y-9Z.
This naval ELINT version of Y-8 was first spotted in Summer 2004 near Shanghai and was identified as Y-8JB/High New 2. Based on the Y-8 "Category I" platform, the aircraft features a large chin mounted radome which may house a large surface search radar. A SATCOM antenna was installed inside a large semi-spherical dorsal fairing ahead of the vertical tailfin providing real-time datalink to the ground control. More fairings and antennas including a pair of grid antennas can be seen on top of the fuselage as well as at the nose tip. The loading ramp appears to have been sealed. Similar to Y-8CB, Y-8JB is believed to have been fitted with a BM/KZ800 ELINT system (frequency 1-18GHz, range 300km), which includes at least 4 display consoles located in a pressurized cabin plus a cylindrical antenna under the belly. 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 (AN/ALD-9) onboard EP-3. The Y-8JB prototype first flew on August 26, 2003 at SAC. All 4 Y-8JBs (S/N H20210xx, 33, 9341, 35, 36) are in service with PLA Naval Aviation. Some started to carry new two-digit code numbers since mid-2019. Low visibility insignias and code numbers plus "China Navy" characters were first seen in January 2023. They have been flying routine ELINT missions near Japan and South Korea. Images released in February 2015 suggested that the aircraft was upgraded with two large rectangular shaped ESM antennas (multi-baseline interferometers) on both sides of the rear fuselage similar to those onboard Y-8JZ, plus a rear-facing antenna on top of the vertical fin. Those antennas on top of the forward fuselage were seen removed in early 2023. Y-8JB is expected to be replaced by the new Y-8JZ.
- Last Updated 6/25/24
The Y-8G
(K/JYG8 High New 3) long range ECM variant was first unveiled during Chinese Vice Prime Minister's visit to SAC in April 2005. Based on the Y-8 "Category II" platform, the aircraft features a solid nose and two large cheek fairings of an arch shape which may house large ECM antenna array for long-range standoff electronic jamming (SOJ) purpose. The ECM antenna array may have been the product of the 14th Institute. The large fairing on top of the vertical tailfin as well as the cylindrical fairing underneath the forward fuselage are believed to be associated with the ELINT system. The Y-8G prototype first flew in late 2004. Currently most Y-8Gs are in service with PLAAF (S/N 30015, 30018, 30019, 30515, 30516, 30518) in Southwest China facing India. Additional 3 Y-8Gs are also the service with PLAAF (S/N 20776, 20778). One Y-8G was lost on January 29, 2018. A recent image (October 2020) indicated that Y-8G started to carry a new yellow serial number on its vertical fin. The aircraft has been flying ECM missions near the Taiwan Strait as well as Japan and South Korea. Y-8G is expected to be replaced by the new Y-9G.- Last Updated 9/5/24
A Y-8T airborne command post is shown here. Based on the Y-8 "Category I" platform, 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 communication antenna arrays can be seen planted along the top and bottom of the fuselage, as well as on the vertical tailfin. Y-8T command post prototype first flew in August 2004 and is expected to provide better coordination for PLAAF air operations. Currently 5 Y-8Ts (S/N 30871-30876) are in service with PLAAF. The latest image (January 2021) indicated that Y-8T started to wear a new yellow serial number on its vertical fin.- Last Updated 4/23/22
KJ-200/200H Moth/High New 5
A PLAN KJ-200H (Y-8W, K/JE03) AWACS aircraft was taking off. This so-called "Balanced Beam Testbed" bears some resemblance to the Swedish Saab 340 AWACS aircraft with its electronically scanning phased array radar (JY-06) inside a large rectangular antenna carried above the fuselage. The AESA radar is the product of the 38th Institute. However the radar in "balance beam" configuration is unable to scan directly the forward and rear directions of the aircraft thus lacks the full 360° coverage. 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. More fairings can be seen at the wingtips, tail cone and on top of the tail fin 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. The C3I center is composed of around 8 display consoles in a large pressurized cabin. A new integrated digital avionics system based on ARINC429 and RS422 data bus has been installed. The aircraft also features a glass cockpit. This new type first flew on January 15, 2005 at SAC. Both KJ-200 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 various combat aircraft via datalink. Initially two prototypes were evaluated by PLAAF. However the 2nd prototype crashed on June 3, 2006 due to wing surface icing -- a serious blow to the indigenous AWACS effort. The KJ-200 production resumed one year later after some redesign work, including strengthened fuselage and attaching small vertical plates to the tips of its horizontal tailfins. With those plates the aircraft is able to maintain the critical stability during a single engine failure. At least 5 KJ-200s were produced for PLAAF (S/N 30x7x). Images released in December 2016 indicated that all PLAAF KJ-200s were upgraded (KJ-200G? S/N 30671, 30672, 30673, 30674, 30675) featuring a nose mounted AEW radar antenna, which could give the aircraft a better coverage in the forward hemisphere. As the result the chin mounted weather radar has been removed. The aircraft also started to carry a new yellow serial number in 2020. PLAN also has taken delivery of around 6 KJ-200Hs (S/N 9371, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42). They started to carry new two-digit code numbers since mid-2019. Low visibility insignias and "China Navy" characters were first seen in January 2023. It was offered for export as ZDK-06 at the 2016 Zhuhai Airshow. A photo released in February 2022 indicated at least one KJ-200G (KJ-200GA?) has been further upgraded. It features an IFR probe mounted above the cockpit and ESM antennas mounted on both sides of the rear fuselage. At least one KJ-200H was seen flying without the "balance beam" radar antenna in September 2024. The exact reason is unknown.
- Last Updated 9/3/24
This much-needed ASW variant of Y-8 (Y-8FQ, H/JFQ8?) similar to American P-3C had been under development since 2007. The aircraft is believed to be based on Y-8 "Category III" platform with a fully pressurized cabin, 4 WJ-6E turbofan engines with 6-blade high efficiency propellers and horizontal tails with small vertical stabilizers. It also features a large chin radome housing a surface search radar which might be based on the British Skymaster surveillance radar installed on Y-8J (similar to Searchwater 2000). An EO turret was installed underneath the forward fuselage housing a FLIR, CCD TV camera and laser rangefinder. A series of blade antennas are seen on top of and underneath the fuselage for communication purpose, including receiving signals from sonobuoys. Two pairs of RWR antennas are installed at the tip of the vertical tailfin. Two pair of MAWS sensors are installed on the forward fuselage aft the cabin door as well as on the tail. A rear-facing surface search radar might have been installed inside the base of the MAD sting. Y-8FQ's lower fuselage in the mid-section of the aircraft was modified extensively to house an internal weapon bay for carrying "smart" depth charges (up to 12) and light ASW torpedoes (up to 6 Yu-7K or the new Yu-X?). Two large bubble windows were installed in the rear fuselage for observation purpose. The aircraft is capable of dropping sonobuoys through the four launch tubes located aft the internal bomb bay. Correspondingly it is equipped with four sonobuoy rotary launchers (SRL, labeled A through D). As a dedicated long-range ASW aircraft, Y-8FQ has a range of up to 5,000km and a patrol time of up to 10 hours. Two prototypes have been built by SAC (S/N 731 & 732). Y-8FQ is believed to be the first combat aircraft in the Y-8 series, and is thought to be capable of coordinating with Chinese CVBG via secure datalink and extending the defense further away against enemy submarines and small surface ships. The first two Y-8FQs were handed over to PLAN in early 2015 after several years of testing. They currently are stationed in Hainan Island facing the South China Sea (S/N H20320xx, 81, 82, 83, 82034, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90). At least one Y-8FQ appeared to carry a two-tone light gray color scheme. Additional Y-8FQs (S/N 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 82111) have entered the service with PLAN in Shanghai in 2018, prompting the interception by JASDF fighters over the East China Sea. Some started to carry a new two-digit code numbers since mid-2019. More Y-8FQs are stationed in northern China near Dalian facing South Korea and Japan (S/N H20220xx, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 9491). One satellite image (April 2020) indicated that at least one Y-8FQ was deployed for the first time on the Fiery Cross Artificial Island of the Spratly Islands in the middle of South China Sea. Y-8Q started to fly ASW missions near the Taiwan Strait in September 2020. A recent image (December 2020) indicated that some Y-8FQs have been upgraded with a dorsal SATCOM antenna. It was reported that one Y-8FQ was lost in the South China Sea on March 1, 2022. Another recent image (October 2022) indicated that some Y-8FQs started to carry low visibility insignias and "China Navy" characters. Y-8FQ was on public display for the first time at the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow.
A new Y-8 psychological warfare (XZ) variant was unveiled in April 2008 as one of the newest members of the "High New" series (High New 7/K/YXZ8?). Based on the Y-8 "Category II" platform, 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 broadcasting. At least two Y-8XZs has been in service with PLAAF (S/N 3101x) since end of 2007 and is similar to American EC-130E Commando Solo. Y-8XZ is expected to be replaced by the new Y-9XZ. 
Y-8JZ Mist/High New 8
This member of the "High New" series was first spotted in April 2011 at CFTE (S/N 720?). Y-8JZ is based on the Y-8 "Category III" platform powered by four WJ-6C turboprop engines with 6-blade high efficiency propellers. As an ELINT aircraft it features four large rectangular bar shaped ESM/ELINT antennas (multi-baseline interferometers) on both sides of the forward and rear fuselage. They are believed to be part of an advanced integrated ELINT system. Additional antennas are installed inside fairings at the wingtips, beneath and on top of the mid-fuselage, on top of the vertical tailfin, underneath the nose as well as inside the nose/tail cone. Four blade antennas are installed on top of the wing near the wing root. An EO turret (containing FLIR/TV) is also mounted underneath the fuselage for surveillance purpose. Y-8JZ has been speculated as an advanced ELINT platform similar to American EP-3. At least two Y-8JZs were constructed by spring 2012. The first Y-8JZ entered the service with PLAN in early 2013 as "Y-8 Technical Reconnaissance Aircraft" (S/N H20210xx, 20, 21, 22, 9231, 24). They have been flying routine ELINT missions over the East China Sea near Japan. Additional Y-8JZs have entered the service with PLAN (S/N 85291, 85292, 85293, 81233). Some started to carry new two-digit code numbers since mid-2019. A recent image (October 2020) indicated that Y-8JZ started to fly ELINT missions near the Taiwan Strait. The latest video (July 2023) indicated that Y-8JZ started to carry low visibility insignias.
JC-8F Finback
A rare glimpse of JC-8F (JZ-8F/J-8FR) tactic reconnaissance aircraft is shown here. Based on J-8F, this variant had been rumored for some time but was not confirmed until 2007. Unlike the earlier J-8R carrying an external camera pod, this dedicated recon aircraft features a conformal camera compartment replacing the original twin 23mm gun compartment underneath the cockpit. However it still retains the capability of carrying PL-8 & PL-12 AAMs. Its range can be further extended via in-flight refueling. The fairing protecting the cameras was seen having multiple windows of different sizes (ranging from 1 to 4), suggesting the camera compartment has a modular design which contains multiple cameras in different channels and angles. The optical camera may be based on KA-112A carried by J-8R and is expected to be more powerful and versatile. An IIR camera or synthetic aperture radar (SAR) may be installed so that the aircraft can fly missions at night or under poor weather conditions. Additional dorsal datalink antenna was installed in front of the vertical fin. Some were upgraded with VLOC antennas on the vertical fin. However it is unclear if the aircraft is capable of transmitting digital images at the real time. JC-8F was initially powered by two WP-14A turbojets with increased thrust. However they appear to have been replaced later by WP-13BII engines due to reliability problems. JC-8F entered limited service with PLAAF and PLAN in 2006 (S/N 20x7x, 31x7x, 83x5x), replacing the old J-8R. The aircraft was still in limited production in late 2012. One image suggested that JC-8F can also carry various ELINT, SIGINT and SAR pods externally (e.g. KZ900). A recent image (May 2020) indicated that PLAAF JC-8Fs started to carry a yellow serial number on their vertical fins. Another recent image (January 2022) suggested that some JC-8Fs have been modified to carry a large external photo reconnaissance pod (similar to the KA-112A LORAP pod onboard J-8R) underneath its centerline station (JC-8FG? S/N 20x7x, 31x7x?). Consequently the smaller conformal camera compartment underneath the cockpit was removed. 
- Last Updated 11/11/23