原文地址：http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/specialaircraft/awacs.asp
Chinahas been developing its own indigenous airborne warning and controlsystem (AWACS) aircraft since 2000 following the cancellation of theA-50I/Phalcon AWACS project. The aircraft, based on the Russian BerievA-50 (NATO codename: Mainstay) airframe but fitted with a Chinese madeelectronically steered phased-array (ESA) radar, may be designated Kong Jing-2000 (KJ-2000). At least one aircraft has been spotted under flight tests near Nanjing, Jiangsu Province.
PROGRAMME
By 1992, China had begun talks with Russia about purchasing the Beriev A-50 (NATO codename: Mainstay) plane, the AWACS variant of the Ilyushin IL-76military transport aircraft. Later, talks involved acquisition of anIsraeli radar system. Three-way negotiations that began in 1994considered four AEW aircraft for $1 billion.In 1996 China, Russia, andIsrael reached initial agreement on a $250 million deal to supply oneAEW aircraft to the PLAAF by installing an Israeli Aircraft Industries(IAI) Phalcon phased-array radar with 360 degree coverage on a A-50plane.
In May 1997, Israel and Russia reached agreement on modifying one IL-76, as a Beriev A-50I,for $250 million, with the option of three more AWACS for a total costof $1 billion. Russia secured about 20 percent of the deal. After somedelay, in October 1999, Russia transferred an A-50 airframe to Israelfor the installation of the Phalcon AEW radar system by IAI. By May 2000, Israel had nearly completed work on the aircraft.
ThePhalcon deal became an increasingly controversial issue between theUnited States and Israel. In 2000, the Clinton Administration voicedstronger objections to the sale and urged Israel to cancel the sale ofthe Phalcon, saying it is a system comparable to the U.S. AWACS andcould collect intelligence and guide aircraft from 250 miles away.Finally, in July 2000 the Israeli government cancelled the deal withChina.
Following the humiliation ofthe cancelled A-50I/Phalcon deal, China turned to indigenous solutions.The Phalcon radar and other electronic systems were taken off from theunfinished A-50I, and the airframe was handed to China via Russia in2002. Modifications on the A-50I airframe began in late 2002 to installthe Chinese-made airborne radar system at Xi’an Aircraft Industry Co.(XAC). The aircraft made its first flight in November 2003, and wasdesignated as Kong Jing-2000 (KJ-2000).
Unconfirmedreports claimed that so far two KJ-2000s (one based on A-50I, oneconverted from a PLAAF/CUA IL-76MD Candid) have been delivered to thePLAAF for operational evaluation and tests. A total of four aircraftmay eventually be built, either on new A-50s purchased from Russia, ordirectly converted locally from the existing IL-76s in service with thePLAAF.
DESIGN
Thedetailed information regarding the KJ-2000 is unknown. However, it isestimated that the aircraft is comparable to the Russian A-50 ingeneral flight performance. The KJ-2000 is based on the airframe of theA-50, which was developed and manufactured by the Beriev AircraftResearch and Engineering Complex Joint Stock Company based at Taganrogin the Rostov Region of Russia. The A-50’s airframe was developed fromthe llyushin IL-76MDmilitary transport aircraft manufactured by the Ilyushin AviationComplex Joint Stock Company based in Moscow. The most distinctivedifference on the A-50 airframe is the removal of the ‘glass-in’ noseof the IL-76MD.
The A-50 carriesout patrol missions at an altitude of 5,000m to 10,000m. The patrolservice ceiling is 10,000m. The maximum flight range of the aircraft is5,000km and the flight endurance is 7 hours 40 minutes. At a range of2,000m, the A-50 can remain on patrol for up to 1 hour 25 minutes. TheKJ-2000 also has a fixed in-flight refuelling probe, which could berefuelled by the IL-78 Midas tanker. This will significantly increasethe range and flight endurance of the aircraft.
AIRBORNE EARLY WARNING RADAR
TheKJ-2000 carries an electronically steered phased-array (ESA) radar in alarge round radome. Unlike the Russian A-50 or U.S. E-3C, which rotatetheir rotodomes to give a 360 degree coverage, the KJ-2000′s radarantenna does not rotate. Instead, three ESA antenna modules are placedin a triangular configuration inside the round radome to provide a 360degree coverage.
The airborneearning warning radar system developed by Nanjing Research Institute ofElectronic Technology (also known as 14th Institute), could be similarin capability to the IAI Phalcon, but may not be as capable as thelatter. The Phalcon system could track up to 60~100 targets at the sametime and guide a dozen fighters in all-weather, day and nightoperations.
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