Chinese Airborne Early Warning (AEW)
The acquisition of an Airborne Early Warning (AEW) platform capable of conducting data relays has held a high priority in the PLAAF's efforts to modernize. China's acquisition of an AEW system would provide a dramatic advance in China's operational abilities.
China has tested an AEW radar rotodome on a TU-4 platform, but there is no indication that this unique aircraft is intended as a prototype for subsequent production.
China has been actively pursuing an advanced airborne surveillance and control aircraft since the early 1990’s. In 1999, it introduced an airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft, the Y-8AEW.
China conceivably could have fully operational AEW platforms by 2005. Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) was marketing its Phalcon airborne early warning (AEW) system to China in competition with the British defense firm GEC-Marconi. However, this airborne early warning program to mount the Israeli Phalcon airborne radar on a Russian airframe remained behind schedule.
It was reported in November 1995 that the Russian foreign ministry had vetoed a deal where IAI would rebuild an Ilyushin aircraft into an AEW&C aircraft for China. However, in 1996 Tel Aviv and Beijing signed an agreement on purchasing the Falcon radar system, which China insisted system should be fitted onto Russian Il-76 aircraft. The Phalcon's triangular radar array would be mounted on the rear quarter fuselage of the Il-76 to provide full 360 degree scan coverage. China already had six such aircraft as well as a service base for them. In May 1997 it was reported that Russia and Israel agreed to fulfill jointly an order from China to develop and deliver an early warning system. The first Russian aircraft was expected to arrive in Israel for refitting in 1998. But Russian reluctance to provide technical specifications for the Il-76 delayed the program. China reportedly ordered one Phalcon for $250 million, which entailed retrofitting a Russian-made Ilyushin-76 cargo plane [also incorrectly reported as a Beriev A-50 Mainstay] with advanced Elta electronic, computer, radar and communications systems. Beijing was expected to acquire several PHALCON AEW systems, and reportedly could buy at least three more [and possibly up to eight] of these systems, the prototype of which was planned for testing beginning in 2000. In October 1999 Russia finally transferred an IL-76 to Israel for the installation of the Phalcon AEW radar. By May 2000, Israel had nearly completed work on the aircraft. But in July 2000 the United States pressured Israel to back out of a $1 billion agreement to sell China four Phalcon phased-array radar systems.
The cancellation of the more capable PHALCON program forced Beijing to pursue other alternatives, to include the possible acquisition of A-50 MAINSTAY AWACS aircraft from Russia. Beijing concluded a deal to buy four A-50 Mainstays, first phase of program for up to eight of the aircraft. Eight would allow for two aircraft on continuous 24-hour patrol.
Reports suggested that XAC was developing an AEW aircraft based on the Y-8 transport aircraft.
In November 2004 it was reported that the Chinese military was test-flying the first models of a domestic design surveillance aircraft. The new Chinese airborne warning and control system used domestically produced advanced radar mounted on a Russian-made Il-76 transport aircraft. This domestic system could be operational in the 2005-2006 timeframe.
