New Chinese AWACS (?)

comment form CMF:
Raygun R
01/17/2004, 20:49:00

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A model of a new Chinese AWACS aircraft is revealed here. At least one A-50 type AWACS prototype was spotted under test in Nanjing carrying a CFTE emblem (serial # 762) in 2003. This could be an Il-76 fitted with an indigenous AWACS system (KJ-2000? developed by Nanjing Electronic Technology Research Insitute/14 Institute). The system is presumably similar, but slightly inferior to the Israeli Phalcon system onboard A-50I with a fixed (?) rotodome housing three phased array antennas in a triangular configuration. As the result a 360° radar coverage can be achieved. A large EW antenna is located inside the radome projecting forward on top of the vertial tailfin too. Two large angled ventral fins are attached underneath the tail to compensate the effort of rotodome on aircraft handling. An A-50 style IFR probe indicates its operations can be further extended with the tanker support.