Engineering:Shaanxi KJ-500
| KJ-500 | |
|---|---|
.jpg) KJ-500 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) |
| National origin | China |
| Manufacturer | Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation |
| Number built | 60+[1] |
| History | |
| Developed from | Shaanxi Y-9 |
The Shaanxi KJ-500 (Chinese: 空警-500; pinyin: Kōngjǐng Wǔbǎi; literally: "Air Warning 500"), also known as Qianliyan-500[2] (Chinese: 千里眼-500; pinyin: qiān lǐ yǎn-500; literally: 'All-seeing-500') is a third-generation airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft used by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). It was built by Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation,[3] and is based on the Y-9 airframe.
Development
Since the beginning of the 21st century, the detection range and the accuracy of airborne radars have been increasing, and fighters equipped with various types of air-to-air missiles and low-altitude cruise missiles continue to improve in performance, creating a demand for a more capable AEW&C. To address the above issues, China began developing the KJ-500, China's third AEW&C model, in the late 2000s. The KJ-500 was required to have three important features, including good detection capability, good identification, and quick responsiveness. The KJ-500 was also required to be the core force of the information combat system; its equipment was required to have characteristics of networking, multi-functionality, high-integration, and lightweight.[4]
The aircraft carries a fixed dorsal radome containing three AESA radar arrays for 360-degree coverage and is said to be more efficient than the two-planar 'balance beam' array design used on the earlier KJ-200. Production of older AEW&C types reportedly ceased in 2018 in response to the KJ-500 reaching full operational capability.[5]
In April 2018, China began testing KJ-500A,[6] an improved variant with aerial refueling capability and other sensor enhancements.[7] By August 2018, at least two units were built. The KJ-500A reportedly entered service in late 2020. As of 2023, the KJ-500A had become the production standard with 7-8 airframes built.[6]
Operational history
In March 2022, General Kenneth Wilsbach, commander of U.S. Pacific Air Forces, identified the KJ-500 as an enabler for long-range Chinese air-to-air missiles.[8]
Export and potential sales
On 6 June 2025, Pakistan's government officially announced the country's plan to acquire the KJ-500.[9][10][11]
Variants
- KJ-500
- Base variant
- KJ-500H
- Variant for PLA Navy.[12]
- KJ-500A
- Improved variant with an aerial refueling probe. Debut in Zhuhai Airshow 2022.[7]
Operators
People's Republic of China
- People's Liberation Army Air Force - 40 KJ-500[1]
- People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force - 20+ KJ-500H[13]
Specifications
Limited performance parameters of KJ-500 have been published as follows:[14]
- Max speed (km/h): 550
- Max range (km): 5700
- Max endurance (h): 12
- Max takeoff weight(tons): 77
- Range against fighter sized targets (km): 470[15]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "5 Asia". The Military Balance 2025. London: International Institute for Strategic Studies.
- ↑ AVIC (2024-11-12). "神、龙、鹰、鲨、鹏……我国军机是如何命名的？" (in zh-cn). Xinhua News Agency. http://www.news.cn/milpro/20241112/c30e51eb51114c7bbd82ff1311c44ab8/c.html.
- ↑ "空警-500：中国预警机家族新明星" (in zh). Xinhua. 31 October 2015. http://www.xinhuanet.com/science/2015-10/31/c_134767341.htm. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
- ↑ Technology characteristics of the 3rd generation early warning aircraft and its electronic reconnaissance system，ZHEN JunYi, China Academy of Electronics and Science，Beijing 100041，China
- ↑ The Military Balance 2022. International Institute for Strategic Studies. 2022. pp. 261. ISBN 978-1-032-27900-8.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Newdick, Thomas (5 April 2023). "China’s Massive Fleet Of Radar Planes And The Strategy Behind It". https://www.twz.com/chinas-massive-fleet-of-radar-planes-and-the-strategy-behind-it.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Trevithick, Joseph (7 November 2022). "All The Air Combat Developments Out Of China's Massive Air Show". https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/all-the-air-combat-developments-out-of-chinas-massive-air-show.
- ↑ Waldron, Greg (16 March 2022). "F-35s have encountered J-20s over East China Sea: USAF general". https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/f-35s-have-encountered-j-20s-over-east-china-sea-usaf-general/147936.article.
- ↑ Osborne, Tony (6 June 2025). "Pakistan Confirms Shenyang J-35 Acquisition Plans". https://aviationweek.com/defense/aircraft-propulsion/pakistan-confirms-shenyang-j-35-acquisition-plans.
- ↑ J. Weichert, Brandon (6 June 2025). "Pakistan Is Buying More J-35A Fighters from China This Summer". https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/pakistan-is-buying-more-j-35a-fighters-from-china-this-summer.
- ↑ Xiao, Josh; Cha, Sangmi (9 June 2025). "Chinese Defense Companies Soar as Pakistan Touts Arms Purchase". https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-09/chinese-defense-companies-soar-as-pakistan-touts-arms-purchase.
- ↑ Newdick, Thomas; Rupprecht, Andreas (5 April 2023). "China’s Massive Fleet Of Radar Planes And The Strategy Behind It". https://www.twz.com/chinas-massive-fleet-of-radar-planes-and-the-strategy-behind-it.
- ↑ The Military Balance 2025. International Institute for Strategic Studies. 2025. pp. 245.
- ↑ "Expert: KJ-500 improves China's overall military power". China Military Online. 16 February 2016. http://english.chinamil.com.cn/news-channels/pla-daily-commentary/2016-02/16/content_6913601.htm. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
- ↑ Lei, zhao (4 September 2015). "PLA deploys advanced jets to boost electronic capability". China Daily. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2015victoryanniv/2015-09/04/content_21787298.htm. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
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