Xian KJ-2000
Xian Aircraft Corporation / CETC · China · first flew 2003 · transport aircraft
The KJ-2000 (Kong Jing-2000) is China's first operational airborne early warning and control system aircraft, based on a modified Ilyushin Il-76 transport carrying a Chinese-developed AESA rotodome.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × turbofan, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Four-engine widebody with large rotodome radar disc mounted above rear fuselage on twin-strut pylon |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Four-engine widebody with large rotodome radar disc mounted above rear fuselage on twin-strut pylon
- Ilyushin Il-76 airframe with Chinese AESA rotodome replacing Soviet Mainstay disc
- No refuelling probe; PLAAF star markings; grey overall finish
Instantly identified by the large fixed rotodome on twin pylons above the Il-76 fuselage; differs from the Russian A-50 Mainstay in having a flatter disc and no undernose refuelling probe.
Specifications
- The Xian KJ-2000 has a length of 46.6 m (153 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 50.5 m (166 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 850 km/h (528 mph).
- Typical crew: 10+.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
China originally purchased Il-76 airframes and planned to integrate an Israeli Phalcon radar system, but US pressure led Israel to cancel the deal in 2000. China then developed its own phased-array radar, flying the KJ-2000 prototype in November 2003 and fielding it by 2007. Four aircraft were built before the indigenous KJ-500 and successor programmes took over.
Variants
Only the baseline KJ-2000 variant was produced in small numbers; it led directly to the KJ-500 on a Y-9 airframe and the larger KJ-3000 concept.
Where you'll see it
Operated exclusively by the People's Liberation Army Air Force, with four aircraft believed operational and based at Wuhu-Shouyuan Air Base; used for high-value AWACS missions over the South China Sea.
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