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Shaanxi KJ-500

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KJ-500
KJ-500
General information
TypeAirborne early warning and control (AEW&C)
National originChina
ManufacturerShaanxi Aircraft Corporation
Number built60+[1]
History
Developed fromShaanxi Y-9

The Shaanxi KJ-500 (Chinese: 空警-500; pinyin: Kōngjǐng Wǔbǎi; literally: "Air Warning 500"), also known as Qianliyan-500[2] (Chinese: 千里眼-500; pinyin: qiān lǐ yǎn-500; lit. 'All-seeing-500') is a third-generation airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft used by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). It was built by Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation,[3] and is based on the Y-9 airframe.

Development

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KJ-500 leading J-20s in 2022 Changchun Airshow

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the detection range and the accuracy of airborne radars have been increasing, and fighters equipped with various types of air-to-air missiles and low-altitude cruise missiles continue to improve in performance, creating a demand for a more capable AEW&C. To address the above issues, China began developing the KJ-500, China's third AEW&C model, in the late 2000s. The KJ-500 was required to have three important features, including good detection capability, good identification, and quick responsiveness. The KJ-500 was also required to be the core force of the information combat system; its equipment was required to have characteristics of networking, multi-functionality, high-integration, and lightweight.[4]

The aircraft carries a fixed dorsal radome containing three AESA radar arrays for 360-degree coverage and is said to be more efficient than the two-planar 'balance beam' array design used on the earlier KJ-200. Production of older AEW&C types reportedly ceased in 2018 in response to the KJ-500 reaching full operational capability.[5]

KJ-500A's radome and aerial refueling probe

In April 2018, China began testing KJ-500A,[6] an improved variant with aerial refueling capability,[7] better computer processing, improved cooling systems, new antennas to support the kill-webs, and enhanced satellite systems.[8] By August 2018, at least two units were built. The KJ-500A reportedly entered service in late 2020. As of 2023, the KJ-500A had become the production standard with 7-8 airframes built.[6] In 2026, it's estimated that half of the KJ-500 are KJ-500A variant in the Chinese military service.[8]

Operational history

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In March 2022, General Kenneth Wilsbach, commander of U.S. Pacific Air Forces, identified the KJ-500 as an enabler for long-range Chinese air-to-air missiles.[9]

Export and potential sales

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On 6 June 2025, Pakistan's government officially announced the country's plan to acquire the KJ-500.[10][11][12]

Variants

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PLA Navy KJ-500H
KJ-500
Base variant
KJ-500H
Variant for PLA Navy.[13]
KJ-500A
Improved variant with an aerial refueling probe. Debut in Zhuhai Airshow 2022.[7]

Operators

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China People's Republic of China

Future Operators

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 Pakistan

Algeria

  • Algeria is finalizing a deal to acquire several units[19][20]

Specifications

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Limited performance parameters of KJ-500 have been published as follows:[21]

  • Max speed (km/h): 550
  • Max range (km): 5700
  • Max endurance (h): 12
  • Max takeoff weight(tons): 77
  • Range against fighter sized targets (km): 470[22]

See also

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Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

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  1. 1 2 "5 Asia". The Military Balance 2025. London: International Institute for Strategic Studies.
  2. ↑ AVIC (2024-11-12). "神、龙、鹰、鲨、鹏……我国军机是如何命名的？" [Gods, Dragons, Eagles, Sharks, Pengs...... How are our countries military aircraft named?] (in Chinese (China)). Xinhua News Agency.
  3. ↑ "空警-500：中国预警机家族新明星" (in Chinese). Xinhua. 31 October 2015. Archived from the original on 30 July 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  4. ↑ Technology characteristics of the 3rd generation early warning aircraft and its electronic reconnaissance system，ZHEN JunYi, China Academy of Electronics and Science，Beijing 100041，China
  5. ↑ The Military Balance 2022. International Institute for Strategic Studies. 2022. p. 261. ISBN 978-1-032-27900-8.
  6. 1 2 Newdick, Thomas (5 April 2023). "China's Massive Fleet Of Radar Planes And The Strategy Behind It". The War Zone.
  7. 1 2 Trevithick, Joseph (7 November 2022). "All The Air Combat Developments Out Of China's Massive Air Show". The Drive.
  8. 1 2 Lee, May (18 April 2026). "China's AEW&C fleet is growing, but can it survive modern warfare?". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 18 April 2026.
  9. ↑ Waldron, Greg (16 March 2022). "F-35s have encountered J-20s over East China Sea: USAF general". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  10. ↑ Osborne, Tony (6 June 2025). "Pakistan Confirms Shenyang J-35 Acquisition Plans". Aviation Week.
  11. ↑ J. Weichert, Brandon (6 June 2025). "Pakistan Is Buying More J-35A Fighters from China This Summer". The National Interest.
  12. ↑ Xiao, Josh; Cha, Sangmi (9 June 2025). "Chinese Defense Companies Soar as Pakistan Touts Arms Purchase". Bloomburg News.
  13. ↑ Newdick, Thomas; Rupprecht, Andreas (5 April 2023). "China's Massive Fleet Of Radar Planes And The Strategy Behind It". The War Zone.
  14. ↑ The Military Balance 2025. International Institute for Strategic Studies. 2025. p. 245.
  15. ↑ Rizwan (2026-04-10). "Pakistan likely to acquire AEW&C aircraft from China: report". www.thenews.pk. Retrieved 2026-06-20.
  16. ↑ Bisht, Inder Singh (2026-05-11). "Pakistan Signs Deal for Chinese Stealth Jets, Pressuring India's Fifth-Gen Plans". The Defense Post. Retrieved 2026-06-20.
  17. ↑ "Pakistan confirms acquisition of 40 Chinese J-35 stealth fighter jets". Türkiye Today. Retrieved 2026-06-20.
  18. ↑ "Decision-Grade Intelligence". Default. Retrieved 2026-06-20.
  19. ↑ Chukwuma, Israel (2026-06-29). "Algeria set to acquire Chinese Chengdu J-10C fighter jets and Shaanxi KJ-500 early warning aircraft * Military Africa". Military Africa. Retrieved 2026-07-19.
  20. ↑ Olech, Aleksander (2026-06-22). "China enters Algeria's air force". defence24.com (in Polish). Retrieved 2026-07-18.
  21. ↑ "Expert: KJ-500 improves China's overall military power". China Military Online. 16 February 2016. Archived from the original on 18 February 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  22. ↑ Lei, zhao (4 September 2015). "PLA deploys advanced jets to boost electronic capability". China Daily. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
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