AWACS aircraft based on Chinese analogues An-12

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AWACS aircraft based on Chinese analogues An-12

The first Chinese full-fledged AWACS aircraft KJ-2000 based on the Soviet Il-76TD jet transporter had fairly high performance. In terms of detection range and the number of simultaneously tracked targets, the radar complex of the Chinese "heavenly eye" approximately corresponded to the characteristics of the RTK of the A-50 aircraft. However, even before the KJ-2000 was put into service and carried out regular patrol flights, it was clear that this very expensive machine would also be very expensive to operate and maintain. In this regard, back in the mid-1990s, the PLA command initiated the development of an airborne radar picket based on the much cheaper Y-8 medium military transport aircraft (Chinese version of the An-12), with four economical turboprop engines. The first flight of the AWACS turboprop prototype, which later received the designation KJ-200, took place on November 8, 2001.

DRLO KJ-200 aircraft


As in the case of the “strategic” AWACS aircraft KJ-2000, when creating the “tactical” airborne radar picket KJ-200, Chinese designers decided to use a radar with a fixed antenna with AFAR. However, instead of a round dish-shaped radome, inside which there are three fixed antenna modules with a field of view of 120 ° each, the KJ-200 aircraft uses an elongated antenna in a canoe-shaped radome.




KJ-200 prototype

The radar radome, which received the unofficial nickname "rocker", is shaped like the Swedish Ericsson PS-890 radar, but much larger. In front of the radar fairing there is an air intake for cooling active transceiver modules with an oncoming air flow. Since the viewing angle of the radar on each side is 150°, there are "dead" areas that cannot be viewed in the nose and tail parts of the aircraft. This makes it necessary to conduct patrols in pairs or constantly fly in an oval or figure eight. But during these maneuvers, there is a possibility that target tracking will be lost. At the same time, experts note that, compared with the Saab 340 and Saab 2000 platforms with similar types of radars, the Y-8 airframe provides large areas for the installation of electronic equipment, operator consoles and staff rest areas.

It is known that the KJ-200 radar is capable of detecting high-altitude targets at a distance of 350-400 km. The target detection range against the background of the earth is significantly less. Information about the air situation is transmitted to consumers via a radio channel. At the first stage, it was not possible to drop radar information in real time at the command posts of ground air defense forces and fighter-interceptor guidance points.


RTK operators on the KJ-200 aircraft

It is believed that the operators of the KJ-200 radar complex could simultaneously direct 12-15 interceptors.

During the tests of the first prototype of the KJ-200, there were no particular difficulties, and in January 2005, the second prototype took off, based on the upgraded military transport Y-8F-600. The second experimental machine was actually pre-production, had new, more economical Pratt & Whitney Canada PW150B engines with 6-blade propellers and a “glass” cockpit with avionics from Honeywell. However, on June 3, 2006, this aircraft crashed due to icing on the wing, crashing into a mountain near the village of Yao in Anhui Province. Among the dead were high-ranking military and designers.

This incident seriously delayed the adoption of the KJ-200 into service. It was officially announced that the prerequisites for the disaster arose as a result of errors in the design of the aircraft. To eliminate the shortcomings, it was necessary to urgently involve specialists from the Ukrainian Antonov Design Bureau. During the revision, changes were made to the design of the wing and tail.


According to open data, the KJ-200 AWACS aircraft has a maximum take-off weight of 61 kg. The maximum speed is 000 km / h, the ceiling is 660 meters. Crew - 10 people, 400 of them are engaged in maintenance of the radio engineering complex. Thanks to a fuel reserve of 10 tons and economical turboprop engines, the KJ-6 is able to stay in the air for 25 hours more than the KJ-200 based on the Il-2TD.


The "tactical" AWACS aircraft KJ-200 was officially put into service in 2009, in total, taking into account the prototypes, 11 copies were built. Currently, there are six aircraft in the PLA Air Force and three aircraft are operated by the naval aviation. These aircraft primarily patrol the northeast coast of China, and they often fly over the disputed islands.

Aircraft of the PLA Navy KJ-200 are permanently stationed at the Layang airbase in Shandong and Lingshui on the island of Hainan.


Satellite image of Google Earth: KJ-200 and Y-8J aircraft at Layan airbase

In February 2017, the pilots of the American P-3С Orion announced a dangerous approach to the KJ-200 over the South China Sea.

DRLO KJ-500 aircraft


A few years after the adoption of the KJ-200 AWACS aircraft, the Chinese military managed to appreciate all the advantages and features of this machine. The experience gained by the developers and the flight crew of the combat units made it possible to form an understanding of what a modern aircraft of the radar patrol and control of the “tactical link” should be like, and to start creating more advanced machines of this class. According to the views of the PLA command, an AWACS aircraft operating for a long time at a considerable distance from its base should have an all-round radar, an in-flight refueling system and a wide range of electronic intelligence and jamming equipment.


DRLO KJ-500 aircraft

The aircraft designed for these requirements was the KJ-500, information about which appeared in March 2014. The KJ-500 AWACS aircraft, like the KJ-2000 and KJ-200, initially entered service with the 76th AWACS Regiment of the 26th Special Forces Division of the PLA Air Force stationed at Wuxi Air Base. After the development of the Chinese air force, the KJ-500 began to be transferred to naval aviation.


Satellite image of Google Earth: AWACS aircraft KJ-500 at Wuxi airbase

The KJ-500 aircraft was built on the basis of the Y-9 transport aircraft (an extended version of the Y-8 with new engines and avionics). Unlike the KJ-200 with a "log-like" radar, the new aircraft has a round fixed radar antenna on the dorsal pylon. In addition to the round radar dish, the distinguishing features of the KJ-500 are the presence of an aerodynamic ridge in the tail section to compensate for the loss of road stability and flat antennas of the electronic intelligence station. On the fixed fairing of the radar of the Chinese AWACS aircraft, the viewing sectors of the AFAR emitters are indicated on top and there is a characteristic “blister” of the satellite communications antenna.

Chinese sources say that the great success of CETC's specialists is the transition from radar with mechanically scanned antennas to systems with active phased array antennas. In China, it was possible to create and put into serial production a three-coordinate early warning radar with AFAR, which provides electronic scanning in height and azimuth. At the same time, the viewing sector of each of the three flat antenna arrays, docked in the form of an isosceles triangle, is at least 140°. Thus, they mutually overlap neighboring sectors and provide an all-round view. Judging by the available photographs, in the rear of the fuselage of the KJ-500 there are flat antennas of electronic intelligence stations, which significantly expands the scope of the aircraft.

The exact characteristics of the KJ-500 aircraft are not known. Its takeoff weight is estimated at 62 tons. Maximum flight speed is 660 km/h, cruising speed is 550 km/h, service ceiling is 10 m, maximum flight duration is 400 hours, and maximum ferry range is 10,5 km. American experts write that the KJ-5600 radar is close in its capabilities to the radar of the American carrier-based Grumman E-500D Hawkeye AWACS aircraft.

Serial construction of base machines for the KJ-500 is carried out at the Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation (a subsidiary of the state holding AVIC) in the city of Hanzhong.


Satellite image of Google Earth: aircraft at the site of the finished product of the aircraft factory in the city of Hanzhong

Aircraft prepared for the installation of equipment are transported to an aircraft factory in Xi'an, where the equipment is installed and put into working condition. After that, new machines are transferred to the customer.


Satellite image of Google Earth: aircraft at the factory airfield of Xi'an Aircraft Company in Xi'an

The handbooks say that by 2021, more than 17 KJ-500 aircraft had been built. But based on satellite images, it can be argued that there are many more such aircraft. When collecting material for this publication, I was able to count about three dozen KJ-500s.

In addition to the coast, these machines are permanently deployed in remote and hard-to-reach areas of the PRC, thus compensating for the lack of stationary ground-based radar posts.


Google Earth satellite image: KJ-500 AWACS aircraft and J-11 fighters at Lhasa airbase

For example, KJ-500 aircraft were seen at the Lhasa and Shigatse airbases in the Tibet Autonomous Region, as well as at Golmud in the Haixi-Mongol-Tibet Autonomous Region. In addition to AWACS aircraft, these air bases also host J-10 and J-11 fighters.


Satellite image of Google Earth: AWACS aircraft KJ-500 and Y-8 at Golmud airbase

In terms of the number of AWACS aircraft in service, China is already several times larger than Russia. At the same time, in the PRC, along with the creation of heavy and expensive aviation radio systems based on the Il-76TD and Y-20, emphasis is placed on the construction of relatively economical "medium" air radar posts. Aircraft KJ-200 and KJ-500, designed for the "tactical" link, if necessary, are capable of performing "strategic" tasks. Losing in terms of flight speed, the number of targets tracked and fighters being guided, turboprops with the same flight range as the KJ-2000 can hang in the air longer. And the lower performance of the RTK is fully compensated by the large number of "tactical" AWACS aircraft available in the Air Force and naval aviation of the PLA.

Export aircraft AWACS ZDK-03


After it became known about India's intention to purchase AWACS A-50EI aircraft, Pakistan ordered aircraft of a similar purpose from China. By order of the Pakistan Air Force, at the end of 2005, a prototype of the Y-8P AWACS aircraft with a rotating disk-shaped radar antenna was created on the Y-200-8 platform in China. According to information published in the Chinese media, the Pakistani military insisted on choosing such a scheme, since, in their opinion, the placement of the antenna system in a "classic" rotating fairing above the fuselage is more consistent with the requirements of the Pakistan Air Force.


Experienced aircraft ARLO Y-8P

English-language sources write that the characteristics of the radar roughly correspond to the capabilities of the E-2C Hawkeye with the AN / APS-145 radar. In addition to radar and communications equipment, the radio engineering complex includes radio intelligence and electronic warfare stations. Their antennas are located in the nose and tail of the aircraft. Radio engineering complex ZDK-03 is served by 6 operators.


For the construction of serial AWACS aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force, the upgraded Y-8F-600 was used. In total, four vehicles were ordered, which received the atypical designation for the PLA Air Force ZDK-03 Karakoram Eagle.


Aircraft AWACS ZDK-03 Karakoram Eagle

Thus, the developer company Electronics Technology Group Corporation reflected in the name that this is the third AWACS aircraft after the KJ-2000 and KJ-200, and the letters “ZDK” are an acronym in Chinese that sounds like “Zhong Dayan Ke”.

The cost of one ZDK-03 in 2009 was $ 279 million. The first aircraft of this type was solemnly handed over to the Pakistan Air Force on November 13, 2010, after which intensive tests began with the Pakistani crew. On a permanent basis, AWACS ZDK-03 aircraft in Pakistan are located at the Masrur airbase, near Karachi.


Satellite image of Google Earth: Pakistani ZDK-03 AWACS aircraft at Masrur airbase

It is significant that the transfer of the fourth ZDK-03 aircraft to the Pakistani Air Force took place simultaneously with the start of factory testing of the new Chinese aircraft DROL KJ-500.


Satellite image of Google Earth: Pakistani ZDK-03 AWACS aircraft, as well as Chinese KJ-2000 and KJ-500 aircraft at the parking lot of the Xi'an Aircraft Company factory airfield in Xi'an

Subsequently, ZDK-03 regularly underwent repairs and maintenance at the Xi'an Aircraft Company in Xi'an. Judging by publicly available satellite imagery, Pakistani AWACS aircraft served on a rotational basis.


Satellite image of Google Earth: Pakistani ZDK-03 AWACS aircraft in the parking lot of the Xi'an Aircraft Company factory airfield in the city of Xi'an. The picture was taken in October 2018

At the same time, three of the four ZDK-03s were combat-ready, and one carried out prophylaxis in Xi'an. This approach allows you to perform the necessary service in a timely manner and makes the operation process predictable.

Radar reconnaissance aircraft of the earth and water surface Y-8G


In addition to creating aircraft designed for long-range radar detection of air targets, directing the actions of its aviation and issuing target designation to anti-aircraft missile systems, China was well aware of the importance of long-range radar reconnaissance of ground and surface targets.

At the end of 2004, pictures of the new Y-8G radar and electronic intelligence aircraft, created on the basis of the airframe of the upgraded Y-8F-400 transport aircraft, appeared.


Radar reconnaissance aircraft Y-8G

According to information released by US intelligence services, four Y-8G aircraft have been built, which are permanently based at Laiyang airfields in Shandong province and Jiaxing in Zhejiang province.


Google Earth Satellite Image: Y-8G Aircraft at Jiaxing Air Base

The Y-8G aircraft is easily distinguished from other machines based on the Chinese versions of the An-12 by the convex antennas protruding from the sides between the cockpit and wings. In order to mount them, I had to redo the front of the aircraft.

According to a number of Western experts, antennas resembling "hamster cheeks" are designed for radar scanning of water and land space at a great distance. In 2016, representatives of the Chinese Research Institute No. 14, which was responsible for the development of the radio engineering complex, stated that the aircraft could be used for long-range observation of the battlefield. In addition, the Y-8G carries powerful electronic warfare stations. Antennas are installed at the top of the keel and in the tail section of the aircraft. Unlike earlier models of radar reconnaissance aircraft, created on the basis of the transport Y-8, there are no windows in the fuselage of the Y-8G.

To be continued ...
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  1. +8
    31 January 2023 08: 01
    It is very difficult to add anything in a comment to a well-made publication! good
    But, attention is drawn to the fact that with approximately the same fleet of modern fighters, China overwhelmingly surpasses us in AWACS aviation. And as you know, the best situational awareness in battle is one of the fundamental factors of victory.
    As for this article, it is very similar to an intelligence report. How will our "strategic partners" react to this?
    1. +13
      31 January 2023 08: 16
      Quote: Tucan
      As for this article, it is very similar to an intelligence report.

      You thought! lol
      Quote: Tucan
      How will our "strategic partners" react to this?

      A difficult question, a visitor from China regularly appears on the site. This is what he should be asking. At the same time, all information for publication is taken from public and open sources. But I would be careful now to make such an article about the Russian Aerospace Forces.
      1. +6
        31 January 2023 14: 01
        , a visitor from China regularly appears on the site. He should be asking

        Someone from our Russian ministry would have asked ... (I don’t know which one - defense, education, culture) - How did it happen that suddenly there was a failure in two most important niches - a universal transporter between An-26 and Il-76 and helicopters between Mi-8 and Mi-26?
        The infection, the urgent need to replace the Mi-6 and An-12 was clear 35 years ago. Once upon a time, Russia was divided .... At the same time, the unique An-70 about .... they fucked up, giving the Germans in the form of an A-400 ...
      2. +2
        2 February 2023 00: 03
        Thanks to the author! I always enjoy reading your articles! hi
    2. +3
      31 January 2023 12: 41
      Tucan. If you look closely, the Chinese planes are very similar to the planes of the USSR and other countries. The wings are also attached, there are windows for the carriage, even the wheels are round, and not the same as they were in China a million years before our era. The only difference between the armies is that the Chinese army itself dresses and equips its army, and not their parents and relatives, as is customary in China's neighbor country.
      1. +8
        31 January 2023 13: 50
        Quote: zenion
        If you look closely, the Chinese planes are very similar to the planes of the USSR and other countries.

        If we're talking about airplanes DRLO , and the article is about them, right? You need to look not at the "wings and wheels", but at the radio-technical complex and the data transmission system. And so, by and large, it doesn’t matter much on what base the flying radar is made, be it the An-12 or the S-130.
        1. -2
          31 January 2023 15: 18
          In fact, even if you take the B737 and install (Without plates and logs) side survey antennas, it will not be so easy to impose sanctions on the supply of spare parts. Aircraft are massive and you will get lost in supplies.
  2. 0
    31 January 2023 08: 01
    Such a car would be in our army ... can buy / rent from Chinese comrades ...
    1. +15
      31 January 2023 08: 25
      Quote: Civil
      Such a car would be in our army ... can buy / rent from Chinese comrades ...

      Why is China doing this?
      None of the declared goals of the NWO has been achieved. Moreover, in many moments, our leadership, with their brilliant and highly professional actions, has seriously worsened the situation. And to help those who at least do not win, sorry, no fools. No.
      For all its anti-American rhetoric, China values ​​its relationship with the US much more than with Russia. Which, however, given the trade balance is not surprising.
      But during the New Year holidays, I talked with a relative who is involved in foreign economic relations with the PRC. He says that many Chinese companies that sell even purely civilian products, fearing secondary sanctions, refuse to cooperate with the Russian Federation.
      1. -3
        31 January 2023 15: 19
        China will saturate its army with such aircraft quickly - we need a market outside (and the Russian Federation is a large capacious market for such systems)
    2. +9
      31 January 2023 09: 56
      Quote: Civil
      Such a car would be in our army ... can buy / rent from Chinese comrades ...

      This is very revealing
      idea, especially considering that 20 years ago we offered China A-50 aircraft. But since then, they have not been able to bring new projects to mind.
      Over the years of getting up off its knees, China has passed us without further ado in many ways. When one country fought corruption, improved the welfare of the population, developed science and technology, another country, led by a permanent leader, squandered its human capital, pumped resources abroad, distributed bad loans and forgave debts.
      Among the participants of the "big game", as in a wolf pack, there are no friends, but only temporary situational partners. In the long term, Beijing benefits from the weakening of Moscow, and the final transformation of our country into a raw materials appendage.
      1. -5
        31 January 2023 13: 06
        Let's think rationally, your "weakening" will not do China any good.

        A weakened Russia will only make you dependent on the US and then threaten northern China. Just like the US is actively enlisting a weak China to fight the Soviet Union.

        We are neighbors, our relationship must be stable and predictable, and it would be better if we can build a close relationship that allows each other to focus our resources in one direction against external threats.

        China and Russia even have an agreement that Sukhoi aircraft, which cannot be exported to compete with Russia, cannot be deployed on the Russian-Chinese border.
        1. +12
          31 January 2023 13: 19
          Quote from: wanna
          A weakened Russia will only make you dependent on the US

          A weakened Russia, first of all, becomes dependent on China. And this is the worse, the worse Russia's relations with the US and Europe.
          Quote from: wanna
          China and Russia even have an agreement that Sukhoi aircraft, which cannot be exported to compete with Russia, cannot be deployed on the Russian-Chinese border.

          Agreements are respected as long as it is profitable for the strong side. Have you heard about the Budapest Memorandum, and how is it observed?
          And please tell me, what is the share of Russian-made fighters in China in relation to the J-10, J-11 and J-16 produced in Chinese factories?
          It is quite enough that those Su-35s that were not taken apart in China for study are subtracted during the exercises as a conditional enemy.
          1. The comment was deleted.
            1. +10
              31 January 2023 14: 39
              Quote from: wanna
              Don't say it in a cynical tone, remember the premise that China doesn't want to

              I don't know about China. But in Russia there is a saying: “Don’t tell me what I need to do, and I won’t tell you where to go ...” This is to ensure that they communicated with you correctly, but if you wish, then you can, of course, be truly cynical.
              Quote from: wanna
              China does not want the weakening of Russia. -- you are not weakened, so there is no doubt that Russia will not have to make a choice.

              These are just words, China will do what is beneficial to it, which has happened many times in history.
              Quote from: wanna
              The contractual terms of the patent deal between Sukhoi and China, which is a patent deal where some patents end on payment and there is no follow-up, and not all subsequent production must be paid again at additional cost. Just like you buy a bottle of vodka.

              I agree, vodka and airplanes are very close. What area are you an expert in? Maybe we can discuss "patent deals" since the start of the assembly of the Su-27SK in Shenyang? I don’t know this story well, and Olin’s relative was there on a business trip in the early 90s and helped to organize the construction of fighters for Chinese comrades.
              Quote from: wanna
              If we say "dependence", then this is a serious word, this is the dignity of the people. That's why we can't make alliances. Because the union means that there must be a dominant person, and then a dependent.

              I have a big request to you, let's talk on the merits, do without lengthy texts and demagoguery?
          2. +1
            31 January 2023 17: 14
            Hello Olga!
            I heard a lot and video photo of the Chinese version of the two-seater Su-33.
            Some kind of modification of the deck J-15, sort of.
            What kind of beast is this?
            Surely made with our technologies. There were such projects in the Sukhoi Design Bureau.
            1. +3
              1 February 2023 03: 00
              Hello!
              Olya is unlikely to be able to tell you about Chinese deck. In the foreseeable perspective I will try to make an article on this topic. hi
              1. +2
                1 February 2023 13: 18
                Thank you!
                Here's how it turns out. Double deck which is already presented in the version of the electronic warfare aircraft and air defense breakthrough.
                It is clear that it was not created without the help of Russia.
                The Su-27KUB project appeared back in the late 90s, but it differed in a different cockpit layout.
        2. +10
          31 January 2023 14: 02
          Quote from: wanna
          Let's think rationally

          Let's .... China now is a wise monkey that is watching the battle of two opponents from the side. Unfortunately, the Russian bear behaved extremely imprudently, overestimating its strength, the enemy's determination to fight and the desire of other players to help one side or another. The bear had a great option to win quickly and with small losses in all respects in 2014, when the West would have swallowed the annexation of Donbass as well as the annexation of Crimea. There was a good option in March 2022, when Kyiv, in exchange for the withdrawal of troops, was ready to grant autonomy and a special status to Donetsk and Lugansk, as well as to postpone the issue of Crimea for an indefinite period. In September 2022, it is time for bad options, now very bad options are approaching. Unfortunately, the bear, either due to inflated conceit, or simply inadequacy, does not want to admit this, and narrows the corridor of possibilities for itself even more. But whatever the outcome, and whoever wins, China will in any case benefit from what is happening.
          1. -3
            31 January 2023 14: 33
            China will benefit from what is happening anyway


            I am not qualified to comment on the subtleties of the policy formulated by the Russian government.

            But one thing we can be sure of in China: if Russia loses, the United States will be stronger. The Anglo-Saxons act more confidently against China. The Taiwanese are also more confident in acting against us. We are not allies, but we are very natural friends, and our government will never waver, like the governments of Serbia and Iran, which are not strong enough.
            1. +5
              31 January 2023 14: 45
              Quote from: wanna
              But one thing we can be sure of in China: if Russia loses, the United States will be stronger. The Anglo-Saxons act more confidently against China. The Taiwanese are also more confident in acting against us. We are not allies, but we are very natural friends, and our government will never waver, like the governments of Serbia and Iran, which are not strong enough.

              And please tell me how and in what way did China help Russia after 24.02.22/XNUMX/XNUMX, apart from buying natural resources at a very low price?
              1. -2
                31 January 2023 15: 09
                What help do you need? We do not participate in the economic suffocation of you by the West.

                You want us to behave not as a partner, but as an ally, how did you put China in the same role as the original Soviet republics?

                We have never rocked the boat politically by sitting on two chairs. Don't do more, but don't do less either. Moreover, we did not rob you when Russia was in the difficult phase of the war.

                None of this can be complained about, just as we did not complain about Russia until February 14, and Russia did not give any more instructions on the Taiwan issue. On the contrary, Ukraine's attitude towards Taiwan has always been to let the Taiwanese go to the Ukrainian embassy in Moscow.(Only after the start of the war did Ukraine allow the Taiwan operation to be transferred to its embassy in Poland.)
              2. +7
                31 January 2023 15: 31
                hi
                how and in what way did China help Russia after 24.02.22/XNUMX/XNUMX, apart from buying natural resources at a very low price?
                From plates to bulletproof vests (with which you can guess the questions at which customs office) to the legendary Mavik drones (with which you can also guess the questions at which customs office). From Baofengs and more sophisticated radio engineering (and here the customs ...) to "tactical medicine". But for objective economic reasons, China's "friendly neutrality" may change.

                Regarding the prices of resources - here we again have to climb into the data of the Chinese customs - but in short, the story is as follows. China a few years ago gave one country (let's call it conditionally Laos feel and not the country, but the state. companies, but in general it doesn’t matter) money on credit so that Laos builds a gas pipeline. Laos has built a gas pipeline, and now it is sending its gas to China at a very good price (and where else?), and the difference between the price in the East and West for Laos was "fantastic" at some points in 2022, but the loan must be repaid request . So there is no problem with the price of gas after the start of the CBO - everything has long been sold for a loan request .
                As for oil, IMHO, there is not much coal, I don’t know, IMHO, China wants to get rid of coal itself. There were scandals with round timber, but IMHO - these are not the problems of the Chinese, they also have to guard the forest ?!
              3. +7
                31 January 2023 17: 56
                I would like to remind all parties to the discussion the basic principle of Chinese foreign policy carried through millennia and many state formations.
                "There is the Celestial Empire. There are satellite countries of the Celestial Empire. There are countries that will be satellites of the Celestial Empire."
                In my opinion, that says it all, I don’t think that anything has changed much over the past 80 years
                Olga, Sergey - my respect!
            2. +1
              31 January 2023 18: 45
              I am not qualified to comment on the subtleties of the policy formulated by the Russian government.

              O! I recognize the corporate line of conduct when rhetoric on "near-Chinese" topics))
              Just a little…. “I can’t comment/discuss, my favorite party won’t pat me on the head”
              But one thing we can be sure of in China: if Russia loses, the United States will be stronger. The Anglo-Saxons act more confidently against China. The Taiwanese are also more confident in acting against us. We are not allies, but we are very natural friends, and our government will never waver like the governments of Serbia and Iran, which are underpowered.

              Dear….Van? Leave these fairy tales about alliance / partnership / friendship. China (as well as the United States and Russia) has always adhered to the principle "the strong will eat the weak in one sitting"
              1. -3
                31 January 2023 19: 09
                O! I recognize the corporate line of conduct when rhetoric on "near-Chinese" topics))
                Just a little…. “I can’t comment/discuss, my favorite party won’t pat me on the head”,Dear….Wan? Leave these fairy tales about alliance / partnership / friendship. China (as well as the United States and Russia) has always adhered to the principle "the strong will eat the weak in one sitting"


                Hearing your complaints, I even suspect that China is now at war with you in Europe, or that China is sending weapons to Ukraine.
                1. +3
                  1 February 2023 03: 11
                  Will you deny the obvious fact that China has no allies, but temporary fellow travelers and national interests?
                  1. The comment was deleted.
          2. The comment was deleted.
            1. 0
              31 January 2023 15: 16
              How can China not pay special attention to Russia? Who wants to be friends not with a powerful neighbor, but with an enemy?
              1. +2
                1 February 2023 03: 13
                Quote from: wanna
                How can China not pay special attention to Russia? Who wants to be friends not with a powerful neighbor, but with an enemy?

                You replace concepts, I suspect that it is conscious. Even if Russia wanted to, it is not capable of representing a special threat to the PRC. Beijing benefits from further weakening and isolating Moscow, as it increases its dependence.
          3. +2
            31 January 2023 18: 15
            The bear had a great option to win quickly and with small losses in all respects in 2014, when the West would have swallowed the annexation of Donbass as well as the annexation of Crimea.
            Absolutely not a fact, in addition, at that time the Russian Federation did not even have its own payment system - integration with the West was then prohibitive, including through the fault of you know who.
            There was a good option in March 2022, when Kyiv, in exchange for the withdrawal of troops, was ready to grant autonomy and a special status to Donetsk and Lugansk, as well as to postpone the issue of Crimea for an indefinite period.
            And this is not a fact, especially since the massacre of the militias in the DPR and LPR would begin if they returned to Ukraine as an autonomy. Who would be the guarantee of this next "Minsk"? So there is, there is. There were no options. Only it was not necessary to rely on "ours" on Bankova, or to prepare them more carefully.
            1. +4
              1 February 2023 03: 19
              Quote: Aviator_
              Absolutely not a fact, in addition, at that time the Russian Federation did not even have its own payment system - integration with the West was then prohibitive, including through the fault of you know who.

              Let's face it - he was afraid? Regarding the "payment system" is also controversial. Unlike our "geniuses", the Western leadership is not inclined to "shoot itself in the foot" and destroy its own economy. They swallowed the Crimea, swallow the rest.
              Quote: Aviator_
              And this is not a fact, especially since the massacre of the militias in the DPR and LPR would begin if they returned to Ukraine as an autonomy.

              It was about very broad autonomy, with the introduction of peacekeeping forces. Well, regarding the "militias", it is probably not a secret for you that the defense capability of the mentioned formations was mainly not based on them.
  3. +10
    31 January 2023 08: 55
    Well done Chinese people. We did not bury the wonderful platform AN-12 like we did. Why was it asked to reinvent the wheel with medium-sized transporters, when everything has long been invented and worked out in a large series. The plane is wonderful. Change his engines and avionics, he will serve another 50 years, or even more. You can spit on the copyright of KB Antonov for a long time. They would at least look at the sworn "friends" who are developing their counterpart named Hercules and will continue to develop. Truly the best is the enemy of the good.
    1. -2
      31 January 2023 10: 27
      It was you who swung at the concept of "progress". Which is used to destroy the best achievements with the help of supposedly more modern, but much more costly. It was exactly what they "helped" us get rid of An-12 and An-22, the aircraft could be improved and modernized.
      1. +7
        31 January 2023 13: 00
        Quote: Sergey Alexandrovich
        An-12 and An-22 exactly what "helped" us get rid of, the aircraft could be improved and modernized.

        Can you elaborate on how we were "helped to get rid" of the An-12 and An-22 by removing them from production in the 70s?
        1. -1
          31 January 2023 13: 26
          Only narrow specialists can answer in detail what restrictions were introduced, according to which the further development of aircraft with turboprop engines became difficult. These could be both noise standards and requirements for switching to a higher flight ceiling.
          I hope you will not try to refute the claim that turboprop aircraft are very fuel efficient.
          In aviation topics, the presence of interlocutors with inadequate views on reality is very large.
          1. +6
            31 January 2023 13: 42
            Brad is complete. All requirements for noise, environmental friendliness apply only to civilian aircraft, and only to those that fly to those countries that have introduced these rules. Military aviation generally does not fall under this in any way. The fact that the replacement of the An-12 was needed was clear back in the 80s. There was nothing to close the niche between the IL-76 and An-26. In the north, the AN-12 was pulled to the last for several times extended resources.
            1. -4
              31 January 2023 13: 51
              I want to remind, very sharp interlocutors, that engines similar to those installed on the An-12 were also used on civilian liners. Thus, the refusal to use them on civil aircraft and airfields also led to a narrowing of the possibilities for using transport aircraft.
              1. +4
                31 January 2023 15: 35
                The issue of unifying engines is of course important. But when in the USSR they considered the economy, when there was a question of providing for the army. Everything is much easier here. Funds for a new development are one thing, but for modernization these are completely different numbers. That's why the Antonov Design Bureau dragged the development of the AN-70 instead of upgrading the AN-12.
                1. -1
                  31 January 2023 20: 16
                  Ay? What upgrade? 20 tons of payload for the AN-12BK, which itself was a modernization of the civilian AN-10 of 1957. And the AN-70 with a payload of 35 tons! more than 20 years of difference in the dates of the start of design. IMHO, at Antonov Design Bureau ("who grabbed God by the beard", at one time) all new ANs were, in fact, a consistent modernization of the original idea of ​​\uXNUMXb\uXNUMXbcreating new aircraft, depending on the requirements of the customer.
                  1. -1
                    31 January 2023 20: 27
                    Well, this twisted generation "Generation Funds" is sick of it!
                  2. +3
                    1 February 2023 08: 39
                    First, the An-10 and An-12 were developed in parallel in order to unify the designs. But the An-12 was the first to take to the skies. Secondly, he carried it quite calmly up to 20 tons of load (with a decrease in range, of course). The modernization potential of the aircraft was quite decent (proven by the Chinese). And most importantly, unlike the An-70, it still flies. And it is the AN-12s that fly. Strengthening the airframe design, the introduction of new materials, new engines, new avionics. This is the path followed by the Chinese with their Y-8s and the Americans with Hercules. And unlike us, the great and mighty, they have a huge fleet of medium-sized transporters of their own production. And in order to throw 10-12 tons of cargo somewhere, we need to either drive the An-26 twice or the Il-76 every third load. And then if the band allows it to be accepted.
          2. +2
            31 January 2023 14: 03
            Quote: Sergey Alexandrovich
            Only narrow specialists can answer in detail what restrictions were introduced, according to which the further development of aircraft with turboprop engines became difficult.

            THOSE. are you unable to answer?
            1. -3
              31 January 2023 14: 15
              I can only guess what, in fact, outlined above. You essentially have this issue, as I understand it, because there is nothing either. Therefore, they brought my quote cut into one sentence, which contains the answer to the question.
              1. +3
                31 January 2023 14: 27
                Quote: Sergey Alexandrovich
                I can only guess what, in fact, outlined above

                If you do not own the information, then why write this nonsense:
                [/ Quote]
                Quote: Sergey Alexandrovich
                It was exactly what they "helped" get rid of from the An-12 and An-22

                [quote = Sergey Aleksandrovich] As far as I understand, you have nothing on the merits of this issue.

                I have a lot of things on the merits of this issue! In order not to throw beads in vain, let's bet on a bottle of cognac that no one "helped" us get rid of the An-12 and An-22, and this was the decision of the Soviet leadership. I will make a detailed article on this topic especially for you, and with links to the orders of the MAP I will put everything on the shelves?
  4. +4
    31 January 2023 09: 05
    Great article, I would like to add some information. The new and improved KJ-200 has just completed its maiden flight.
    Also, how do I upload an image to a comment?
    1. +6
      31 January 2023 09: 51
      I assume you are referring to the KJ600 which is due to fly in August 2020. This is an early warning aircraft for aircraft carriers. It is built on the An-26 platform.

      1. 0
        31 January 2023 11: 49
        No, very new, this is a balanced wooden radar, plus a conformal antenna
        1. +7
          31 January 2023 12: 02
          There is speculation that "smart skin" could be a test of a new AWACS technology using the Y-20 as a platform.
          1. +2
            31 January 2023 12: 23
            This is what will probably add the function of electronic intelligence and countermeasures. 
      2. +7
        31 January 2023 14: 08
        Quote from: wanna
        I assume you are referring to the KJ600 which is due to fly in August 2020. This is an early warning aircraft for aircraft carriers. It is built on the An-26 platform.

        You are not right! No.
        The deck KJ-600 is not built on the basis of the Xian Y-7 (An-26), it is a completely new aircraft. Perhaps you were misled by the fact that the RTK for the KJ-600 was really practiced on the Xian Y-7.
        The story about Chinese carrier-based AWACS aviation will go in the next part of the review.
        1. -3
          31 January 2023 16: 29
          As a naval aircraft, especially if ejection is required, it will of course require modifications to the airframe design and some aerodynamic structures, especially the tail. But for now, we still think it's a special derivative of Y-7.
          1. +2
            31 January 2023 16: 40
            It seemed to me that you do not understand what they are trying to convey to you. If you understand, this is not the best strategy for communication. Write to the point, and your thoughts will be better understood by others. But judging by your comments, you are not a specialized specialist, and your answers to a person who certainly knows the topic better make a very strange impression.
            1. The comment was deleted.
            2. -3
              31 January 2023 18: 15
              Did you know that the MiG 21 has been heavily modified in China? In China, the MiG-21 was modified in many ways, but we always thought of it as a MiG-21.

              Even today, when the Pakistani FC-1 appeared, we still think that this is only the final version of the MiG 21.

              The same can be extended to the KJ600 - after all, China never claimed it was a new platform.
              1. +3
                1 February 2023 03: 31
                Quote from: wanna
                Did you know that the MiG 21 has been heavily modified in China? In China, the MiG-21 was modified in many ways, but we always thought of it as a MiG-21.

                My dear Chinese friend, I frankly do not understand why you write banal and well-known things. Perhaps you think that you communicate with preschool children? I assure you it is not! No.
                Of course, outright "patriotic" idiots are also found here, but most of the readers are quite mature people with common sense, technical knowledge and erudition.
                Quote from: wanna
                Even today, when the Pakistani FC-1 appeared, we still think that this is only the final version of the MiG 21.

                It doesn’t matter who and what thinks, it is important what is actually! Thus, we can agree that the T-90M tank is the final version of the T-34.
                Quote from: wanna
                The same can be extended to the KJ600 - after all, China never claimed it was a new platform.

                China very often does not declare anything, or declares after a long time.
                I will ask you a question again: dear Chinese friend, what is your area of ​​expertise and what is your education? This I mean that you are not always competent in the topic under discussion. In addition, I have a strong impression that you are not writing as a private person, but reflecting the position of the leadership. If so, then you are not working subtly enough.
                1. -2
                  2 February 2023 09: 32
                  that you are not writing as an individual, but reflecting the position of the leadership. If so, then you are not working subtly enough.


                  You personally offend
                  1. +1
                    3 February 2023 00: 24
                    Quote from: wanna
                    You personally offend

                    What is the insult? The author of the publication has the right to give his attitude to any comment to his publication. You are trying to teach people on a Russian-language site, while writing nonsense and offended when they do not agree with you. You won't stay here long with this attitude. With their charter, they don’t go to someone else’s monastery.
                    1. The comment was deleted.
                      1. +1
                        4 February 2023 00: 08
                        Quote from: wanna
                        You should at least do it in such a way that you understand the specific sentence I specifically highlighted for the answer.



                        Then you will be able to answer purposefully.

                        I never cease to be surprised when I find out from strangers, who also live in another country, that I owe them something. belay You did not confuse?
  5. +7
    31 January 2023 09: 25
    Like this. People work for results. And we have one "analogue".
  6. +5
    31 January 2023 09: 30
    hi
    As always, an interesting article and photographs!
    The handbooks say that by 2021, more than 17 KJ-500 aircraft had been built. But based on satellite images, it can be argued that there are many more such aircraft. When collecting material for this publication, I was able to count about three dozen KJ-500s.
    we are waiting for comrade WANNA with comments ...
    1. +7
      31 January 2023 10: 16
      The true number of KJ500 is unknown to the outside world. But in 2020, photos emerged of a large number of An-12s parked on the platform of the plant, just off the production line, among which 12 KJ500 aircraft could be clearly identified.


  7. +1
    31 January 2023 09: 38
    Will someone explain to me why AWACS are not made on airships? After all, this is all happening far from the front. After all, fuel consumption is less, it can hang as much as it likes, emits less heat (to combat stinger-type missiles), you can generally make AWACS based on a rocket tractor with an antenna raised "on the ball". How much fuel and engine wear can be saved. AND?
    1. snc
      +3
      31 January 2023 10: 26
      Too little speed and the need to create a separate infrastructure.
    2. +4
      31 January 2023 10: 37
      Will someone explain to me why AWACS are not made on airships?

      Where do you install the radar antenna? At the bottom? A rigid scheme does not fit - how to store and transport hard cigars. Soft - and what is the time of preparation for the flight, inter-flight maintenance? The speed is 100 km/h, the relocation time is long, the wind is not welcome. The cons outweigh the pros if you think about it.
    3. +4
      31 January 2023 10: 38
      The maneuverability of the airship is too low for tactical requirements. Due to its large size, it was easy for the enemy to shoot it down. Even in peacetime, airships can hardly withstand bad weather, because they do not have enough power.

      China and the US are working on airships to be used as an extra g to satellites in lower orbits.

      Not too long ago, according to a war zone column on a US military media website, a high-altitude airship with a large margin of safety was photographed flying at high altitude near the island of Luzon in the northern Philippines, near the South China Sea. Externally, the device looks like a drop-shaped airship with four tail fins. It's not entirely clear from the photo if it's translucent or metallic, but it seems more likely that it's metallic, and you can see in the photo that it's highly reflective, but different types of materials can produce this effect when viewed from a distance. Considering that it was taken from a great distance at the time of filming, it is difficult to judge its size or the height at which it flew, nor is it clear whether it was equipped with any kind of propulsion system or other equipment.
    4. +5
      31 January 2023 11: 43
      hi
      How do they not make radar on airships? Do.
      What to read on this topic? Yes, the articles of Sergey Linnik, well-known here to everyone AKA Bongo wink , For example:
      "The southwestern direction is controlled by several radar balloons of the LASS system, designed to record the illegal crossing of the border by floating craft and aircraft at low altitudes. The Lockheed Martin 420K balloons are equipped with AN / TPS-63 radar with a detection range of up to 300 km and optoelectronic water surface tracking systems."https://topwar.ru/125135-poligony-floridy-chast-10.html

      "Starting from the late 90s, TARS balloons began to be replaced by LASS (Low Altitude Surveillance System) devices. An AN / TPS-420 radar with a detection range of 63 km and optoelectronic systems for tracking the earth and water surfaces.
      Balloon radar systems, created as a means of detecting cruise missiles breaking through at low altitudes, are not yet in demand in the air defense of North America. The main reason for this is the high sensitivity of tethered balloons to weather conditions. The main scope of radar balloon posts was the control of illegal crossing of the US-Mexico border and the suppression of drug trafficking.
      https://topwar.ru/105796-sistema-pvo-severnoy-ameriki-chast-5.html

      There, in the articles, as always, there will be high-quality photographs and satellite imagery data. fellow

      IMHO, the Israelis are still doing something similar, but it seems that Bongo did not write on this topic, so there is nothing to read .. request
      1. +5
        31 January 2023 13: 03
        Quote: Wildcat
        IMHO, the Israelis are still doing something similar, but it seems that Bongo did not write on this topic, so there is nothing to read ..

        Hello! I wrote about Israeli balloons, about 5 years ago.
        1. The comment was deleted.
          1. +4
            31 January 2023 13: 48
            Sergei Alexandrovich, would you go away from here ....
          2. +6
            31 January 2023 14: 12
            Quote: Sergey Alexandrovich
            Or do you change accounts arbitrarily in the Ukrainian CIPSO without following the gender?

            Please follow your gender and orientation, as well as your language! am
            Olya is my wife, and she only meant that I wrote on this topic before.
            Quote: Sergey Alexandrovich
            references to the need to comply with the Budapest Memorandum can only come from there.

            Do I understand correctly that Russia is not obliged to comply with the obligations it voluntarily assumed?
            1. -7
              31 January 2023 14: 30
              So you are on a family contract! And you don’t speak Russian well if you don’t know how to use pronouns.
              1. +6
                31 January 2023 14: 43
                On the merits of the question, besides throwing on the fan, is there anything to say? Except for you, everyone figured out the pronouns.
                1. +6
                  31 January 2023 16: 41
                  Sergey, leave such an argument. They are sent in that they see Ukrainian agents in all dissidents and defend the government with foam at the mouth, how good it is and how it does everything right.
                  Just ignore people like me.
                  Oh, would you know what is being done Vkontakte and Odnoklassniki!
                  There are a lot of trolls out there. And what insults they are, they write mats!
                  And in fact, never from them any specifics.
                  1. -6
                    31 January 2023 22: 09
                    Is it the Russians who will refer to the Budapest Memorandum, and not the Ukrainians?
                    Or do you, like the author's wife, also want to demand compliance with the Budapest Memorandum? Or maybe you want to return nuclear weapons to Ukraine? Agree, I like these guys.
        2. +6
          31 January 2023 13: 46
          hi
          Good afternoon!

          Thanks for the tip! good
          It also seemed to me that he had such articles. Well, who else writes about it? request This is how many sources need to be processed good ! But only with a quick scan it was possible to find only about the American versions of "radar on an airship" ...

          I hope that now the curious themselves will be able to find it in the articles of the respected Bongo!
      2. +6
        31 January 2023 14: 17
        Hello!
        Unfortunately, various inadequacies are wedged into Olya's dialogue with you. wassat
        In a couple of articles I wrote about Israeli radar control balloons. EMNIP one article was devoted to the Israeli nuclear program, and the second I don’t even remember what. request
        Tethered balloons for radar control were located in the Negev desert, not far from the nuclear center. Satellite images are attached. hi
        1. +3
          31 January 2023 17: 01
          Hello!
          Israel has a very serious superiority in aviation electronics, electronic warfare, RTR and aircraft protection.
          I have been watching their developments for a long time and in some ways compare them with what is put on our planes.
          And on our aircraft, such as the Su-30SM, Su-34, equipment of the Soviet design, of the 80s and 90s, is still being installed. Developed on the element base and technologies of that time - logic circuits, as a rule and rarely then on processors / microcontrollers.

          For example, the Israeli radiation warning station ELL-8264. Modern.
          Monoblock, indicator and a set of antennas with a set of wires.
          The mass is not more than 10 kg of all this.
          The basis is probably DSP with which there are no problems in Israel, there is an advanced electronics industry.

          Now the Omsk station L-150 "Pastel" developed 35 years ago. Weight more than 50 kg, a bunch of blocks with mounting frames and other things.
          The basis of the elemental base of that time is logic and other most primitive things.
          Installed on the Su-34, Su-30SM and helicopters.
          On the Su-33, Su-27SM, Su-30M2 - it is the same, but in certain modifications.

          So almost everything we have is big and heavy. As a rule, it is much inferior in characteristics
          Israeli and Western equipment.
          Towed radar traps have been used by both Israel and NATO countries for a long time.
          We don't have them at all.

  8. The comment was deleted.
  9. -2
    31 January 2023 21: 26
    It seems that "public opinion" is being lobbied for a Chinese and Israeli manufacturer! AN-12 is generally on the side. IL-20 (a modification of the civilian IL-18) coped with similar tasks 40 years ago and now in Syria. For specialists there are RJ, specialized forums, and for special "suitcases" :). Tu-214R DORLO is more interesting!

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