조기경보기 KJ-3000 양산 시작?

[위종민]

XAC 시설에 KJ-3000으로 보이는 항공기 4기가 주기된 사진이 찍혔네요. 

# 중국 공장에 KJ-3000 레이더 항공기 4대 포착, 양산 가능성 시사

KJ-3000은 빠르게 확대되고 있는 중국의 공중조기경보통제기 전력 가운데 가장 높은 성능을 갖춘 항공기다.

토머스 뉴딕

2026년 10월 22일 오후 4시 46분(미국 동부시간)

KJ-3000 또는 KJ-20으로 다양하게 불리는 중국의 신형 대형 공중조기경보통제(AEW&C) 플랫폼의 새로운 사진이 공개됐다.

(위성사진 ©2026 Vantor)

새로운 위성사진에는 시안옌량의 시안항공기공업(XAC) 시설에 중국의 신형 KJ-3000 공중조기경보통제기 4대가 있는 모습이 나타났다. 이는 이 대형 레이더 항공기가 양산 단계로 진입하고 있거나 이미 양산에 들어갔을 가능성을 제기한다.

Vantor가 제공한 10월 5일 촬영 위성사진에는 시설 서쪽의 XAC 공장 인근에 KJ-3000 3대가 있고, 가까운 중국비행시험연구원(CFTE)에 네 번째 항공기가 있는 모습이 나타났다. 미첼 항공우주연구소의 선임연구원 J. 마이클 담은 항공기 4대가 확인됐다는 사실이 이 기종이 양산에 들어갔음을 시사한다고 평가했다.

10월 5일 시안항공기공업(XAC) 시설의 전체 모습. KJ-3000 총 4대가 확인된다. (위성사진 ©2026 Vantor)

시설 서쪽의 XAC 공장에 있는 KJ-3000 3대와 다른 Y-20 항공기들. (위성사진 ©2026 Vantor)

중국 군사항공 전문가이자 TWZ 기고자인 안드레아스 루프레히트는 보다 신중한 평가를 제시했다. 그는 해당 사진이 양산 또는 저율초도생산(LRIP)의 시작을 의미할 수 있다고 지적했다. 그러나 이전에 확인된 시제기 4대가 단순히 같은 시기에 해당 시설에 모여 있었을 가능성도 있다고 덧붙였다. 특히 그는 비행장의 CFTE 구역에서 관찰된 항공기를 시제기로 식별했다.

XAC 공장에 있는 KJ-3000 한 대를 더욱 가까이에서 촬영한 모습. (위성사진 ©2026 Vantor)

Y-20B 두 대 옆에서 추가로 확인된 KJ-3000 한 대. (위성사진 ©2026 Vantor)

어떤 설명이 맞든, 이번 위성사진은 이미 상당한 규모를 갖춘 중국의 공중감시 및 전장관리 능력을 크게 확대할 것으로 예상되는 사업을 새롭게 살펴볼 수 있게 해준다.

KJ-20으로도 불리는 KJ-3000은 4발 엔진을 장착한 Y-20 수송기, 그중에서도 중국산 엔진으로 구동되는 개량형 Y-20B를 기반으로 한다. 이 항공기는 동체 후방 위쪽에 대형 원형 레이돔을 장착하고 있으며, 동체 전방에는 눈에 띄는 여러 안테나가 배치돼 있다. 조종석 위에는 공중급유 프로브가 설치돼 있고, 수직꼬리날개 밑부분에는 뚜렷하게 보이는 공기흡입구가 있다. 이 흡입구는 광범위한 탑재 전자장비에 냉각 공기를 공급하기 위한 것으로 추정된다.

중국에서 자체 생산한 WS-20 터보팬 엔진이 특징인 일반형 Y-20B 수송기. (중국 인터넷 경유)

이 항공기를 촬영한 최초의 저화질 사진은 2024년 12월부터 유포되기 시작했다. 2025년 5월에는 중국 내 위치가 공개되지 않은 비행장에서 촬영된 한 기체의 모습이 담긴 더욱 상세한 사진이 등장했다. 기체번호 7821을 부여받았으며 첫 번째 기체로 평가되는 이 항공기는 현재 XAC 공장에서 확인된 기체들과 달리 여전히 프라이머 도장 상태였다.

2025년 5월 공개된 사진으로, 중국 내 위치가 공개되지 않은 비행장에 있는 최초의 KJ-3000으로 추정되는 항공기를 보여준다. 기체에는 여전히 프라이머 도장이 적용돼 있으며, 전방 동체에 기체번호 7821이 뚜렷하게 보인다. (중국 인터넷 경유)

KJ-3000은 중국의 기존 대형 제트추진 공중조기경보통제기 전력이 오랫동안 겪어온 제약을 해결할 것으로 예상된다. 현재까지 완성된 KJ-2000 메인링 항공기는 4대에 불과하다. 러시아제 일류신 Il-76MD 수송기를 기반으로 한 KJ-2000 사업은 적합한 기체의 확보 가능성이 제한돼 제약을 받았으며, 현재는 러시아 공급망에 대한 의존과 항공기 노후화라는 두 가지 문제에 직면해 있다.

중국 인민해방군 공군의 일반적인 KJ-2000 측면 모습. 다만 사진에서 기체번호는 가려져 있다. (FYJS/중국 인터넷 경유)

중국에서 자체 생산하는 Y-20 기반 플랫폼은 훨씬 더 대규모의 공중조기경보통제기 전력을 지속적으로 유지할 수 있는 토대를 제공하며, 개량 가능성과 잠재적인 수출 기회도 더욱 크다.

더 큰 기체는 속도, 항속거리, 체공시간 측면에서 중국이 다수 운용하는 터보프롭 추진 공중조기경보통제기보다 유리할 것으로 보인다. 또한 더 높은 운용고도는 레이더가 표적을 탐지하고 추적하는 데 더 유리한 관측 위치를 제공한다. 특히 지형이나 레이더 수평선 때문에 지상 센서에서 탐지가 어려울 수 있는 저고도 비행 항공기와 미사일에 대해 이러한 장점이 두드러질 것이다.

공중급유 프로브는 항공기의 항속거리와 작전지역 체공시간을 더욱 늘려줄 수 있지만, KJ-3000의 정확한 작전능력은 여전히 불분명하다.

KJ-3000의 주 레이더가 정확히 어떤 구성인지는 아직 밝혀지지 않았다. 중국의 기존 KJ-2000과 더 작은 KJ-500은 미국의 E-3 센트리나 러시아의 A-50 메인스테이처럼 회전하는 레이돔 대신, 3개의 능동전자주사식위상배열(AESA) 안테나를 내장한 고정식 레이돔을 사용해 360도 전방위 탐지범위를 제공한다. 신형 항공기 역시 동일한 방식을 채택했는지는 앞으로 확인해야 한다.

러시아 항공우주군의 A-50U 메인스테이. (러시아 국방부)

신형 항공기는 대형 AESA 레이더 외에도 추가적인 정보·감시·정찰(ISR) 체계를 탑재할 가능성이 높다. 또한 통신장비를 통해 인도태평양의 광대한 지역에서 작전하는 중국군을 위한 중요한 네트워크 연결 거점 역할을 수행할 수도 있다. 이러한 능력은 무인항공기를 포함한 전투기들의 작전을 조율하고, 표적획득 정보를 공유하며, 중국의 통합방공망과 더욱 광범위한 군사 네트워크의 작전범위를 확대하는 데 특히 가치가 있을 것이다.

KJ-3000은 중국 공중조기경보통제기 전력의 광범위한 확대와 다양화 과정의 일부이기도 하다. 중국 인민해방군은 신형 제트추진 항공기와 함께 4발 터보프롭 Y-9 수송기 계열을 기반으로 하는 소형 플랫폼도 계속 배치하고 개발하고 있다.

여기에는 빠른 속도로 생산되고 인도된 KJ-500과 더불어, 보다 폭넓은 감시임무를 위해 레이더와 전자광학 및 적외선 센서를 결합한 것으로 알려진 신형 KJ-700이 포함된다. KJ-700의 정확한 능력은 여전히 불확실하지만, 이 플랫폼에 관한 자세한 내용은 별도 기사에서 확인할 수 있다.

KJ-700 시제기. (중국 인터넷 경유)

더 작은 터보프롭 항공기들 역시 고유한 장점을 제공한다. 이러한 항공기들은 분산 배치된 비교적 시설이 열악한 비행장에서 운용하기에 더 적합하며, 중국의 도서 전초기지와 전략적으로 중요한 대만해협에서도 정기적으로 모습을 드러낸다. 서로 다른 기종들을 조합함으로써 중국군은 자국 인근의 지속적인 감시부터 더 먼 지역에서의 작전에 이르기까지 감시와 지휘통제를 위한 다양한 선택지를 확보하게 된다.

미 국방부는 중국 공중조기경보통제기 전력의 중요성이 커지고 있다는 점을 반복적으로 강조해왔다.

미 국방부는 최신 중국 군사력 발전 연례보고서에서 KJ-3000을 구체적으로 언급했다.

“중국 인민해방군은 항공기, 선박 및 기타 이동체를 감시하는 감시항공기로 활용될 KJ-3000 공중조기경보통제기(AEW&C)의 첫 비행을 실시했다. KJ-3000은 디지털 레이더를 사용하는 세계 최초의 기종이 될 가능성이 높으며, 전파방해 대응, 수동탐지, 표적 식별 능력을 갖추게 될 것이다.”

공중 레이더 및 지휘통제 항공기는 스텔스 전투기 J-20과 장거리 공대공미사일을 탑재한 항공기를 포함해 능력이 갈수록 향상되는 중국 전투기들의 전투력을 배가하는 중요한 수단이기도 하다. 이러한 레이더 항공기들은 데이터 공유를 위한 핵심 네트워크 연결 거점으로 기능할 수 있으며, 경우에 따라 중국 전투기들이 자체 레이더를 켜지 않고도 표적과 교전할 수 있도록 해준다.

2022년 당시 태평양공군사령관이었던 케네스 윌즈바흐 대장은 J-20 작전과 연계된 지휘통제 능력을 높이 평가하면서, 중국의 일부 장거리 공대공미사일이 KJ-500의 지원으로 이점을 얻고 있다고 언급했다.

J-20 스텔스 전투기의 자료사진. (중국 인민해방군 공군)

중국에 있어 더 크고 능력이 향상된 공중조기경보통제기 전력은 자국 영공 방어와 인도태평양 전역에 군사력을 투사하려는 노력 모두를 지원할 것이다. 이러한 항공기들은 대만과 남중국해 주변의 작전을 조율하고, 해상 접근로에 대한 상황인식을 개선하며, 중국 본토에서 더 멀리 떨어진 곳에서의 전투작전을 지원하는 데 도움을 줄 수 있다.

2025년의 같은 미 국방부 보고서는 다음과 같이 추가로 지적했다.

“중국이 KJ-500 공중조기경보기를 비롯한 지원항공기를 통합함으로써 중국 인민해방군 공군은 인민해방군 작전을 지원하기 위한 정보·감시·정찰 능력을 개선하고 있으며, 이는 대만 인근에서 실시된 대규모 집중작전에서 입증됐다.”

2022년 11월 중국 광둥성 주하이에서 열린 항공우주박람회장에 도착한 KJ-500 공중조기경보통제기. 구체적으로는 공중급유 프로브를 장착한 KJ-500A 형식이다. 제14회 중국 국제항공우주박람회는 11월 8일부터 13일까지 개최될 예정이었다. (사진: VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

KJ-3000과 같이 중국이 독자적으로 개발한 제트추진 플랫폼은 이러한 노력의 핵심적인 전력이 되기에 적합하다. 특히 KJ-2000보다 훨씬 많은 수량을 생산할 수 있다는 점에서 그렇다.

중국이 대형 제트추진 공중조기경보통제기 전력을 확대할 가능성은 노후화된 E-3 센트리를 대체하려는 미 공군의 사업이 어려움을 겪고 있는 상황과 대조된다. 미국의 E-7 웨지테일 사업은 중대한 장애물에 직면해 있으며, 중국이 새로운 능력을 계속 실전 배치하는 가운데 공중 전장관리 능력에 공백이 발생할 수 있다는 우려를 불러일으키고 있다.

10월 5일 촬영된 사진만으로 양산이 시작됐다고 확정할 수는 없다. 추가 기체, 생산시설 주변의 활동, 또는 새로운 실전부대 표식을 적용한 항공기를 보여주는 후속 사진이 확보된다면 사업 진행 상황을 더욱 명확하게 판단할 수 있을 것이다.

그럼에도 KJ-3000은 확대되고 있는 중국의 공중감시 및 지휘통제 체계에 중요한 전력으로 추가될 준비가 돼 있는 것으로 보인다.

저자 연락처: thomas\@thewarzone.com

## 토머스 뉴딕

기자

토머스 뉴딕은 TWZ의 기자로 군사항공, 국방기술, 무기체계, 국제안보를 취재하고 있다. 독일 베를린에 거주하며 세계 각지의 분쟁, 군사 현대화, 신흥 항공우주 기술에 관해 보도한다. 특히 공군력과 현대전에서 공군력이 수행하는 역할에 깊은 관심을 두고 있다. 그의 보도는 특히 유럽을 중심으로 현대 및 역사적 공군력에 대한 깊은 전문지식을 바탕으로 하며, 유럽 전역의 군사항공, 항공작전, 항공우주 발전에 초점을 맞추고 있다.

Four KJ-3000 Radar Jets At Chinese Factory Point To Serial Production

Four KJ-3000 Radar Jets At Chinese Factory Point To Serial Production

Four KJ-3000 Radar Jets At Chinese Factory Point To Serial Production

The KJ-3000 is the most capable of China’s rapidly expanding airborne early warning and control aircraft fleet.

Thomas Newdick

Published Oct 22, 2026 4:46 PM EDT

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New satellite imagery shows four of China’s new KJ-3000 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft at the Xi’an Aircraft Company (XAC) facility at Xi’an-Yanliang, raising the possibility that the large radar planes are moving toward or have entered serial production.

Satellite imagery captured on October 5 and provided by Vantor shows three KJ-3000s near the XAC factory in the western part of the facility, with a fourth at the nearby China Flight Test Establishment (CFTE). J. Michael Dahm, a senior fellow at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, assesses that the presence of four aircraft points to the type having entered serial production.

An overview of the Xi’an Aircraft Company (XAC) facility on October 5. A total of four KJ-3000s are visible. Satellite image ©2026 Vantor

Three KJ-3000s along with other Y-20s at the XAC factory in the western part of the facility. Satellite image ©2026 Vantor

Andreas Rupprecht, an analyst of Chinese military aviation and TWZ contributor, offered a more cautious assessment, noting that the imagery could indicate that series production or low-rate initial production (LRIP) has begun. However, he also pointed out that all four previously identified prototypes could simply have been at the facility at the same time. Specifically, he identified the aircraft seen at the CFTE portion of the airfield as being a prototype.

A closer view of one of the KJ-3000s at the XAC factory. Satellite image ©2026 Vantor

An additional KJ-3000 seen alongside a pair of Y-20Bs. Satellite image ©2026 Vantor

Whatever the explanation, the imagery offers a fresh look at a program set to significantly expand China’s already substantial airborne surveillance and battle-management capabilities.

The KJ-3000, also referred to as the KJ-20, is based on the four-engine Y-20 transport aircraft, specifically the improved Y-20B variant powered by Chinese-made engines. The aircraft features a large circular radome mounted above the rear fuselage, along with a prominent series of antennas on the forward fuselage. An aerial refueling probe is mounted above the cockpit, while a conspicuous intake at the base of the tailfin is likely intended to provide cooling air for its extensive onboard electronics.

A stock Y-20B transport with its distinctive locally produced WS-20 turbofan engines. via Chinese internet

The first low-quality photographs of the aircraft began circulating in December 2024. More detailed imagery emerged in May 2025, showing an example at an undisclosed Chinese airfield. That aircraft, bearing the serial number 7821 and assessed to be the first example, was still wearing primer, in contrast to the examples now seen at the XAC factory.

This photo emerged in May 2025 and shows the presumed first KJ-3000 on the ground at an undisclosed airfield in China. The aircraft still wears a coat of primer, and the serial number 7821 is clearly visible on the forward fuselage. via Chinese internet

The KJ-3000 is expected to address longstanding limitations in China’s existing large jet-powered AEW&C fleet. To date, only four KJ-2000 Mainring aircraft have been completed. Based on the Russian-built Ilyushin Il-76MD transport, the KJ-2000 program was constrained by the limited availability of suitable airframes, and now faces the twin issues of reliance on Russian supply chains and aging aircraft.

A side view of a standard PLAAF KJ-2000, albeit with the serial number censored from the photo. FYJS/via Chinese internet

A domestically produced Y-20-based platform provides a more sustainable basis for a much larger AEW&C fleet, with greater scope for upgrades and potentially export opportunities.

The larger airframe should also provide advantages over China’s numerous turboprop-powered AEW&C aircraft, including greater speed, range, and endurance. Its higher operating altitude would give its radar a better vantage point for detecting and tracking targets, particularly low-flying aircraft and missiles that may be masked from ground-based sensors by terrain or the radar horizon.

The aerial refueling probe could further extend the aircraft’s range and time on station, although the precise operational capabilities of the KJ-3000 remain unclear.

The exact configuration of the KJ-3000’s primary radar has yet to be established. China’s existing KJ-2000 and smaller KJ-500 use fixed radomes containing three active electronically scanned array (AESA) antennas to provide 360-degree coverage, rather than the rotating radomes found on aircraft such as the U.S. E-3 Sentry and Russia’s A-50 Mainstay. Whether the new aircraft follows the same approach remains to be seen.

A Russian Aerospace Forces A-50U Mainstay. Russian Ministry of Defense Russian Air Force A-50U Mainstay. (Russian MoD)

As well as its large AESA radar, the new aircraft is likely to carry additional intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems, while its communications equipment could make it an important networking node for Chinese forces operating across the vast distances of the Indo-Pacific. Such capabilities would be particularly valuable for coordinating combat aircraft, including uncrewed ones, sharing targeting information, and extending the reach of China’s integrated air defense and broader military networks.

The KJ-3000 is also part of a broader expansion and diversification of China’s AEW&C fleet. Alongside the new jet-powered aircraft, the People’s Liberation Army continues to field and develop smaller platforms based on the four-turboprop Y-9 transport family.

These include the KJ-500, which has been produced and delivered at a rapid pace, as well as the newer KJ-700, believed to combine radar with electro-optical and infrared sensors for a broader range of surveillance missions. The precise capabilities of the KJ-700 remain uncertain, but you can read about the platform in more detail here.

A prototype KJ-700. via Chinese internet

The smaller turboprop aircraft offer advantages of their own. They are better suited to operating from dispersed and relatively austere airfields, and they regularly appear at Chinese island outposts and in the strategically important Taiwan Strait. Together, the different types give Chinese forces a range of options for surveillance and command and control, from persistent coverage close to home to operations farther afield.

The U.S. Department of Defense has repeatedly highlighted the growing importance of China’s AEW&C fleet.

In its latest annual report on Chinese military developments, the Pentagon specifically pointed to the KJ-3000:

“The PLA conducted an initial flight with the KJ-3000 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, which will serve as a surveillance aircraft to monitor aircraft, ships, and other vehicles. The KJ-3000 will probably be the world’s first model to use digital radar and will be capable of anti-jamming, passive detection, and target identification.”

Airborne radar and command-and-control aircraft are also important force multipliers for increasingly capable Chinese combat jets, including the stealthy J-20 and aircraft armed with long-range air-to-air missiles. Radar planes like these can serve as critical networking nodes for data sharing and, in some cases, allow Chinese fighters to prosecute targets without turning on their own radar.

In 2022, then-Pacific Air Forces commander Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach praised the command and control associated with J-20 operations, noting that some of China’s long-range air-to-air missiles benefit from support provided by the KJ-500.

A stock photo of a J-20 stealth fighter. PLAAF

For China, a larger and more capable AEW&C fleet would support both the defense of its airspace and efforts to project military power across the Indo-Pacific. These aircraft could help coordinate operations around Taiwan and the South China Sea, improve situational awareness over maritime approaches, and support combat operations at greater distances from the mainland.

The same Pentagon report from 2025 further noted:

“China’s integration of support aircraft, such as the KJ-500 airborne early warning aircraft, provides the PLAAF with improved ISR capability to support PLA operations, as demonstrated during surge operations near Taiwan.”

A KJ-500 arrives at the Zhuhai Air Show Center in November 2022 in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province of China. This is specifically the probe-equipped KJ-500A version. Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images VCG

A domestically developed, jet-powered platform such as the KJ-3000 would be a logical centerpiece of that effort, particularly since it can be produced in substantially greater numbers than the KJ-2000.

The prospect of China expanding its fleet of large, jet-powered AEW&C aircraft stands in contrast to the U.S. Air Force’s troubled effort to replace its aging E-3 Sentry. The U.S. E-7 Wedgetail program has encountered major hurdles, raising concerns about a potential gap in airborne battle management as China continues to field new capabilities.

The October 5 imagery does not confirm‎ that serial production has begun. Further imagery showing additional airframes, activity around production facilities, or aircraft in new operational markings may provide a clearer indication of the program’s progress.

Regardless, the KJ-3000 appears poised to become an important addition to China’s expanding airborne surveillance and command-and-control architecture.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com

Thomas NewdickStaff Writer

Thomas Newdick is a staff writer at TWZ, where he covers military aviation, defense technology, weapons systems, and international security. Based in Berlin, Germany, he reports on conflicts, military modernization efforts, and emerging aerospace technologies around the world, with a particular interest in airpower and its role in contemporary warfare. His reporting is informed by deep expertise in modern and historical airpower, particularly in Europe, with a focus on military aviation, air campaigns, and aerospace developments across the continent and beyond.

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