조기경보기 함재 조기경보기를 시험중인 중국 해군

[위종민]

KJ-600 함재 조기경보기가 현재 집중적으로 시험중이라고 합니다. 프로토타입이 4기~6기 가량 만들어졌다고 하네요. 003형 푸젠함과 후속으로 건조될 항모에서 운용될 예정으로, 쌍발 터보프롭과 4개의 수직미익, 원형 레이돔을 갖춘 E-2 호크아이와 유사한 기체입니다. 

https://defence-blog.com/kj600-carrier-borne-aew-trials/

China’s new carrier-based AEW aircraft undergoes intensive trials

NEWSMARITIME SECURITY

ByGu Min Chul

Nov 17, 2023

Modified date: 2 days ago

Photo by David Wang

Recent updates on developing the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) KJ-600 carrier-based airborne early-warning (AEW) aircraft indicate intensive trials underway for this critical component of the new domestically built Type 003 aircraft carrier Fujian.

Developed by the Xi’an Aircraft Company, the KJ-600, resembling the U.S. Navy’s E-2 Hawkeye in its twin turboprop design, commenced flight trials in fall 2020. Boasting a crew capacity of four to six, it features a large radar atop its fuselage.

As of the present, the development has led to the creation of at least four, possibly even six, prototypes of the KJ-600s.

AEW&C planes, like the KJ-600, possess the remarkable capability to detect and track other aircraft at extreme ranges. This feature significantly enhances a carrier’s suitability and augments the effectiveness of its combat aircraft, extending their vision to much farther distances. It enables the early detection of incoming raids or missiles, allowing the carrier’s air wing to swiftly spring into action.

Upon KJ-600 deployment, China will become the third navy globally to feature fixed-wing AEW planes on its carriers. Currently, the U.S. Navy and the French Navy employ the E-2 Hawkeye. While countries like Britain and India rely on helicopters for similar purposes, these aerial assets typically possess shorter ranges and smaller radars, offering valuable but more limited capabilities in comparison.

Renowned analysts emphasize the significance of carrier-borne AEW&C for the Chinese Navy, asserting its pivotal role in enhancing carrier airwing capabilities, situational awareness, and network-centric warfare within naval operations. The Diplomat’s Rick Joe highlights their unmatched capability in bolstering offensive and defensive measures within carrier groups.

Analyst H. I. Sutton underscores the substantial impact the KJ-600 will have on the PLA Navy, emphasizing its potential to elevate aerial and maritime situational awareness. Sutton lauds China’s aerospace and military industry for developing a modern and capable AEW&C system for various applications in air, naval, and ground domains.

[백선호]

많이 필요하지는 않은 것을 굳이 이렇게 만들었으니 대당 비용이 엄청나겠네요.

[위종민]

항모 두 척에만 쓸 수 있을 테니 8기 + 예비기 2기 해봐야 10기 만들고 땡...

[강준구]

미국 만큼 위성을 마음대로 띄울 수 없다고는 하지만, 10-20년 안에 무인기 체계로 대체될 것 같은데 굳이 저런 기체를 만드네용..

[ssn688]

미국처럼 함상고정익수송기로도 쓸 테니 1개 대대분은 채우지 않을까요. (먼 산) 아니면 활주로 짧은 작은 섬의 비행장용으도 수량을 채울지 모르겠습니다.

[위종민]

조기경보수송비행대로 편성될까요? ㅎㅎ

남사군도에 열심히 깔고 있는 낙도 기지에 배치될 수도 있겠네요.