KJ-600 Carrier AEW - Design
The KJ-600 is reportedly tailored to carrier-based operations, with a maximum take-off weight estimated at about 20 tons, though other soruces estimate the MTOW as 25-30 tons. The KJ-600 is a twin turboprop aircraft produced by Xi’an Aircraft Company. It uses large-scale AESA active phased array radar. China’s new radar can detect F-22 and F-35. KJ-600 can track more than two hundred targets, with the capability of tracking stealth aircraft such as F-22 and F-35 miles away (320 kilometers away).
From the overall appearance, the size of AirJin-600 and the domestic Yun-7 are not much different, and the appearance is similar. It adopts a large aspect ratio straight upper single wing, single vertical tail and low horizontal tail aerodynamic layout. The power unit is 2 turboprop 5A-1 propeller engines. Based on the research and development units of XAC, it may prove that there is a connection between them. But AirJing-600 is almost a redesigned new model. In order to meet the requirements of boarding, the airframe structure of AirJing-600 needs to be upgraded and improved. The entire landing gear system and the center of gravity configuration of the fuselage are re-designed. The landing gear needs to be strengthened, and an arresting tail hook is installed on the bottom of the rear fuselage.
The Chinese KJ-600 is very similar to the American E-2 Hawkeye, but the three-phase phased array radar equipped E-2D is more advanced. The KJ-600 seems to "cross the river by touching the eagle sauce" to avoid many detours [that is, "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, with Chinese characteristics"]. The Hawkeye is an all-weather early warning aircraft with aircraft carrier functions, manufactured by Northrop Grumman. According to the analysis of Chinese military experts, the KJ-600 and E-2 will have similar combat capabilities. And the biggest advantage of the KJ-600 is that it is equipped with a more advanced radar and communication system, which can spot fighters at a certain angle. The KJ-600's active phased array AESA radar can detect stealth fighters at a long distance.
It is reported that KJ-600 may have 5-6 crew members, including captain and co-pilot and flight crew operating radar and combat control systems. Given the current capabilities of combat data communications in China and future plans, the KJ-600 may guide multiple batches of aircraft in interception and air combat and consolidate data from multiple platforms to aid long-range missile aiming. The article said that the Chinese JY-26 ground-based radar has been improved in signal processing capabilities, KJ-600 with similar technology, will be able to detect some aspects and range of stealth aircraft. The KJ-600 also enhances the capabilities of ground systems if connected to the Internet.
The cruise speed is about 500 kilometers per hour, and the air duty time is about 5 hours. The detection distance for surface ships and non-stealth fighters above the destroyer level is more than 400 kilometers, and the detection distance for cruise missiles is about 270 kilometers; at the same time, it guides 4 J-15s. The heavy-duty carrier-based aircraft conducts air combat, which is sufficient to undertake the airborne early warning mission of the entire aircraft carrier combat group, and its comprehensive performance is roughly equivalent to that of the E-2C early warning aircraft.
In addition to the Air Police 600, China can also use its flight platform to create a series of special aircraft, similar to the US C-2 "Greyhound" carrier transport aircraft, the implementation of shore ships, or aircraft carriers between the aircraft carrier personnel supplies Transport mission. And a ship-mounted fixed-wing anti-submarine aircraft on the platform will solve urgent needs and raise the anti-submarine warfare of the People's Navy to a new level.
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